Amcor and Tipa compostable packaging partnership targets ANZ fresh food, meat and bakery
02 Aug 2021 --- Amcor is partnering with Israeli compostable packaging producer Tipa to locally manufacture compostable packaging in Australia and New Zealand (ANZ). Searching for plastic alternatives to reduce waste is a key part of the collaboration.
Amcor will make, supply and distribute the packaging under an exclusive partnership with Tipa, with applications ranging from fresh food to bakery items and meat. Notably, Amcor aims for all its packaging to be recyclable, reusable or compostable by 2025.
“Working with such a well-recognized packaging supplier gives a huge amount of credibility to our compostable solutions, and compostables in general,” Michael Hanratty, vice president of strategic operations and business development at Tipa, tells PackagingInsights.
“It is tangible recognition that compostable packaging is part of the sustainable future we all should be working toward. The environmental benefits are paramount, but there’s now also a huge commercial opportunity for those willing to make the switch away from conventional plastic,” he adds.
“Breakthrough” compostables
Performing like conventional plastic, the new compostable films and laminates can be disposed of using existing composting infrastructure, decomposing back into soil like organic waste.
The packaging can be used like conventional plastic, but the films and laminates can decompose back into the soil after 180 days, compared with up to 1,000 years for some plastics.
“Compostable packaging revitalizes our depleting soils after it’s processed and helps take food waste out of landfill to significantly reduce methane emissions. We strongly believe that the future is in alternative materials,” says Hanratty.
“R&D efforts, particularly around compostable materials, are developing all the time meaning the list of applications is constantly growing.”
The new high-performance compostable films and laminate offerings complement NaturePlus, Amcor’s existing compostable range. Certified for industrial composting, NaturePlus Compostable Poly Lactic Acid contains up to 99 percent renewable raw materials.
The packaging can be used like conventional plastic, but the films and laminates can decompose back into the soil after 180 days.Tipa’s governmental pushes
Not only does the partnership with the “weight of a company like Amcor” demonstrate the increasing demand for compostable packaging, but also mounting legislation.
“[Compostable packaging] is not only the right choice for the planet and commercially viable, but also from a business perspective it’s beneficial if you’re looking to stay ahead of future regulation.”
Just last week, Tipa urged policymakers to support compostable packaging, equipped with study results revealing its micro-perforated compostable packaging gives a longer shelf life to fresh vegetables than traditional plastic packaging.
The company’s call for policy support came following a legal dispute in which environmental activists accused the Italian government of breaking EU law by exempting compostable packaging from its single-use plastics ban.
Tipa also welcomed the COMPOST Act last week, a federal bill promising composting infrastructure funds in the US.
Edited by Anni Schleicher
