An urgent issue for food industry professionals attending the Anuga Cologne 2021 Exhibition is that Green packaging has become a consumer obsession that cannot be ignored. Consumers are demanding sustainable packaging for their food products, and doing more research on how packaging is manufactured and disposed of.
Governments and international bodies are responding to public concerns by introducing new laws to control packaging waste management and disposal. They are paying close attention to the scientific evidence behind the eco-friendly claims made by the food manufacturers and processors who will be attending the Anuga Cologne 2021 Exhibition. Now is the time to future-proof packaging choices to avoid potential costly legislation and penalties.
Most plastic packaging options labelled as “biodegradable” are no more environmentally friendly than non-biodegradable plastics. Manufacturers of plastic packaging know that consumers want sustainable packaging options and take any opportunity they can to state products are biodegradable.
In the past this was not difficult because there was no simple quality certification that would identify products that require special treatment and are not naturally biodegradable. Research into biodegradable plastics and new quality certifications have exposed the limitations of conventional biodegradable packaging to the public, who now want something better.
Biodegradable plastics have a poor reputation with consumers and manufacturers because they generally lack the strength, durability and clarity of conventional plastics. They are also not easy to recycle. What people want is sustainable packaging that performs exactly the same as non-biodegradable plastic and can be recycled.
South Plastic uses revolutionary Biotransformation ® technology for a certified and truly eco friendly solution. Our Cycle+™ plastic packaging is both biodegradable in the natural environment and made of recyclable materials. This is achieved without compromising on the desirable features of conventional plastic food packaging.
In 2015 the UN exposed exaggerated and misleading claims by biodegradable plastics manufacturers seeking to exploit the demand for sustainable packaging options. In their report Biodegradable Plastics and Marine Litter: Misconceptions, concerns and impacts on marine environments, the UN raised concerns that many biodegradable plastics are simply marketing exercises and do not safeguard the environment.
The UN highlighted several problems with current biodegradable plastic technology:
Biodegradable plastic packaging using oxo-degradable manganese were singled out as not achieving benefits in microparticle reduction in real-world scenarios. The UN found plastics labelled as ‘biodegradable’ that require industrial processes and high temperatures that do not occur in the natural environment. These plastics are not naturally biodegradable in litter and landfill disposal. The UN is worried that they may even encourage people to litter if they think the plastic is harmless to the environment.
Recently Greenpeace raised the issue again when they published a report in December 2020 on the state of biodegradable packaging industry which indicates that most biodegradable plastics are still not good enough and require specialist handling and treatment.
“The use of biodegradable plastics often encounters the question: Can I recycle biodegradable plastics? The simple answer is: No. Although biodegradable plastics, in theory, are valuable to recycle, current biodegradable plastics are not designed to be recycled, nor do dedicated recycling channels exist.” (Greenpeace, 2020 Report)
Greenpeace were unable to find any biodegradable plastics in their study that were made of currently recyclable materials, and stated this was a serious issue that made biodegradable plastics potentially more harmful than recyclable plastics.
A new certification regime, PAS 9017 Plastics. Biodegradation of polyolefins in an open-air terrestrial environment, has been developed to provide an evidence based method of evaluating the claims of biodegradable plastic packaging manufacturers.
PAS 9017 addresses the UN concerns about microplastic generation from biodegradable plastics, and oxo-degradable plastics are unable to meet the PAS 9017 certification requirements.
Polymateria, a UK company, have taken a scientific, evidence-based approach to develop a new way of achieving biodegradation in the natural environment without harmful by-products. Their solution to green and eco-friendly packaging is different to the conventional biodegradable plastics that are currently available.
The same performance as conventional plastics
Polymateria have found a way to modify standard plastics without affecting their strength, clarity and performance. The process makes plastics become naturally biodegradable on land after a specific time has passed.
Meets new certification standards
Evidence based Cycle+™ technology achieves biodegradation through Biotransformation ® , and does not require special treatments or processes. Cycle+™ meets PAS 9017 certification requirements for biodegradation into harmless compounds. Traditional biodegradable plastic manufacturers the UN and Greenpeace continue to criticize cannot meet the requirements for PAS 9017 certification.
Naturally biodegradable on land without producing micro-plastics
Polymateria’s proprietary Biotransformation ® technology provides the only method that can meet standards for complete biodegradation in the natural environment on land without releasing micro-plastics into the oceans.
Recyclable by conventional methods
Treatment with Biotransformation technology ® does not affect the recyclability of plastics that have been modified for biotransformation and they can be recycled by standard methods. No special handling or separation from other plastics is required.
South Plastic has partnered with Polymateria to manufacture our Cycle+™ packaging plastic as part of our ongoing commitment to environmental protection and a sustainable economy. Cycle+ is both recyclable and naturally biodegradable, demonstrating to consumers a genuine focus on achievable green solutions.
Strong, durable, high performance food packaging
Cycle+™ is revolutionary because it achieves the same levels of strength, durability and performance as standard plastic formulations, unlike many biodegradable plastic alternatives.
Globally certified for food safety
Cycle+™ is certified for global food packaging and safety requirements to the highest standards required by governments and consumers today.
Direct swap for conventional plastic food packaging
A big advantage is that Cycle+™ can be used in standard food packaging processes without any changes to supply chains or packaging equipment. Most biodegradable plastics require different batch materials, and packaging equipment needs to be modified because they are not as strong as conventional plastics.
We offer Cycle+™ technology across our wide range of plastic food packaging technologies and product types. This ensures that no matter what our customers require we can provide them with the most environmentally friendly option.
Cycle+™ is cost-effective and completely stable for a preset period of between six months and three years before it begins to break down harmlessly in the natural environment. Our customers are benefitting from Cycle+™ technology for all types of food packaging.
Choosing Cycle+™ plastic packaging maintains the circular economy of recycling with the option of biodegradation in landfill if necessary. South Plastic Cycle+™ enables you to meet environmental standards and fulfil customer expectations without compromising on the excellent quality standards of strength, look and feel that you expect from South Plastic food packaging.
Contact us to discuss how we can provide a genuine biodegradable solution for your sustainable food packaging requirements.
Visit South Plastic Industry at the 2025 NRA Show to explore our passion-driven packaging solutions. Experience new designs for meat, salads, desserts, and bakery.
Meet South Plastic Industry at Fine Food 2024 in Melbourne! Explore our eco-friendly packaging innovations that align with Australia’s 2025 National Packaging Targets.
Explore SPI’s innovative plastic packaging solutions at upcoming trade shows like the 2024 National Restaurant Association (NRA) event and PLMA’s World of Private Label International Trade Show. Learn about our tamper-evident packaging for supermarkets, convenient stores, and food services.
Discover how SPI is embracing Recyclable PET food packaging to support Earth Day 2024’s theme, “Planet vs. Plastics.”
South Plastic Industry (SPI) is proud to announce that it has achieved certification under the Global Recycled Standard (GRS) for its products utilizing Post-Consumer Recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate (PCR PET).
SPI is delighted to extend an invitation to our valued partners and new contacts to join us at the esteemed SMTS 2024 in Japan.
To ensure sustainable packaging quality and transparency, SPI recently achieved SCS Global certification for its PET materials and food packaging using 30%, 50%, 70% and 100% post-consumer recycled material.
South Plastic Industry will debut tamper evident muffin / cupcake containers at PLMA Show, South Hall, Booth No. 1315, on November 13th and 14th.
Food packaging is a critical component of the food industry. It serves as a protective barrier between the food and the environment, preserving the quality and freshness of the food.
Discover our sustainable tamper proof plastic food packaging at ICC Sydney 11-14 September 2023
As legislation on sustainable plastic food packaging becomes tighter, food manufacturers are turning to RPET as a cost-effective solution
As the world’s fifth largest economy, California’s laws on plastic waste have a significant impact on the plastic packaging industry
Innovative tamper evident sustainable plastic food packaging on show at NRA supports UN plastic waste reduction goals.
SPI anti-fogging plastic food packaging for fresh foods, fruit, vegetables and sushi will be on display at Interpack 2023 in Dusseldorf
SPI Cycle+ naturally biodegradable and recyclable tamper proof plastic food packaging & sustainable RPET offer a future-proof solution to global legislation.
Recyclable and biodegradable plastic food packaging includes world leading sustainable options for tamper proof packaging.
Customers want tamper proof packaging that ensures food safety. This is why tamper proof packaging for fruit containers is of the highest importance in the food packaging industry.
We asked how COP27 might affect global plastic food packaging businesses, now that COP27 is finished we can look at the issues and actions that have come from it and see how they compare with public perceptions and industry practices.
Country leaders are meeting now At COP 27 in the ongoing response to the demands of the Paris Agreement of 2015 for action on climate change. We should expect global leaders to renew and improve on their commitments to action to meet the terms of the Paris Agreement.
Using the right biodegradable plastic packing can solve common plastic waste management problems for convenience stores
Is all paper biodegradable, and are biodegradable plastics really possible? Let’s discuss the evidence…
Colorful, attractive trays make sushi taste better!
Tamper evident packaging inspires consumer confidence that the products they are receiving are safe and have not been interfered with.
Our recyclable and naturally biodegradable plastic food packaging meets the sustainability criteria of Canadian legislation.
Our HC line of PP tamper evident packaging combines our innovations in tamper proof design, sustainability and microwave safe packaging in one product line.
Are US food manufacturers really engaged in making the industry more sustainable?
At the 5th UN Environment Assembly Summit on waste management Global leaders have agreed on actions to combat the environmental impact of plastic packaging pollution. At the summit, which was held in Nairobi at the beginning of March, world leaders approved two major proposals focused on eliminating plastic pollution as part of fourteen resolutions that were agreed.
Global leaders have met in Nairobi at the 5th UN Environmental Assembly (UNEA) to discuss two significant proposals for UN resolutions.
Ultra Clear Cycle+ recyclable & biodegradable plastic packaging provides an effective way for producers to respond to emerging legislation
At South Plastic we are constantly innovating to maintain our leadership in sustainable food packaging manufacturing.
PET plastic raises challenges for recovery and reuse in the food packaging industry
Food packaging relies on plastics, but can it support global actions to combat climate change?
Making plastic food packaging manufacturers pay for the cost of recycling and disposal of waste is becoming an urgent global problem for the food industry and manufacturers of food packaging supplying convenience stores and supermarkets.
Biotransformation is the real solution to reducing the amount of plastic waste that reaches our oceans.
We wanted to share how we are addressing the challenge to ensure that the safety and health of our employees and their families is prioritized.
Our sales and development team will guide you through the process and advise you on the perfect options for your packaging challenges.
Our sales and development team will guide you through the process and advise you on the perfect options for your packaging challenges.
The best efforts are put in place to minimize safety risks and keep supply uninterrupted.
E24 is two-piece rectangular Safety Pack container, Bento size and style, designed to stack steadily, suitable for C-store and fast food supply to pack and service cold noodles, salads and light meals for lunch.
