Nestlé Waters wanders in the woods for Poland Spring bio-based plastic alternatives

30 Sep 2020 --- Nestlé Waters’ Poland Spring is joining forces with the US-based University of Maine (UMaine) to research wood-based packaging alternatives to reduce bottled water brand Poland Spring’s environmental impact.

“Areas of development in sustainable packaging are broad and growing, and there is significant potential in this area,” Dr. Hemant Pendse, director of the Forest Bioproducts Research Institute (FBRI) at UMaine, tells PackagingInsights.

“Our research goes far beyond paper cups, bags, and boxes – our focus is on innovative wood-derived advanced materials that can be used in novel packaging solutions – and potentially many other applications,” Dr. Pendse affirms. 

The FBRI is working on bio-based packaging solutions with oil-, water-, and air-resistant barrier properties. The research institute also has patents related to advanced materials made with cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) for potential packaging applications. 

“This is a strategic collaboration that will evolve as we do and learn more together – the first phases are exploring and evaluating emerging technologies,” says Dr. Pendse.

Nestlé’s phased investment approach includes both financial contributions as well as its expertise in food packaging, he adds.

Local research, local resource
The Poland Spring-UMaine partnership has received a wealth of support from state representatives. 

“Forestry is a cornerstone of Maine’s economy and the FBRI was created to provide and promote technology validation and partnerships that will meet societal needs for materials, chemicals and fuels,” says Joan Ferrini-Mundy, UMaine president.

UMaine is assessing biomaterial technologies that could serve as alternatives to petroleum-derived materials for Poland Spring packaging.“This collaboration serves that important mission, leveraging the expertise of our faculty and staff, and facilitating the engagement of our students in cutting-edge research with important implications for our state and the wider world.”

Heather Johnson, commissioner of the Maine department of economic and community development, sees benefits for the state any time Maine’s natural resources are “looked at with fresh eyes to promote innovation.”

She further acknowledges the collaboration as a “strong private-public partnership”.

This is echoed by Patrick Strauch, executive director of the Maine Forest Products Council, who regards the research as a “great start” to sustainable sourcing. 

“Diversifying the uses of Maine-harvested biomass is essential to the growth and sustainability of our state’s forest economy,” he asserts.

As the state’s fifth largest manufacturing employer, Poland Spring employs nearly 900 Maine locals across three bottling facilities, Poland, Hollis and Kingfield.

Traceability and paper bottles
Eco-friendly efforts are necessitated across the entire packaging supply chain. Understanding consumers’ desire for product traceability and transparency, Nestlé Waters introduced code tracking to its Poland Spring plastic bottle labels to create an interactive drinking experience.

After scanning a QR code found on Poland Spring water bottles, consumers can track their spring water journey and learn how best to recycle the bottle when empty.

Other attempts at tree-based beverage bottles include Diageo’s paper-based spirit bottle. Made entirely from sustainably sourced wood, the bottle will debut with Scotch Whisky brand Johnnie Walker in early 2021. 

In July, Nestlé Waters North America announced that three more of its US domestic still water brands have converted their bottles to 100 percent recycled PET.

By Anni Schleicher