ProAmpac expands green portfolio with sustainable packaging solutions

01 May 2019 --- US-based global flexible packaging specialist ProAmpac will be unveiling its two newest additions to its portfolio of greener packaging solutions – Signature Surfaces ProActive Recyclable Paper Touch coatings and ProActive Recyclable QuadFlex Pouch – to suppliers of the pet food industry at this year’s Petfood Forum in Kansas City, on April 29.

“We expect the demand for sustainable food and pet food packaging to grow significantly over the next five years. Leading brands consider sustainability as part of their overall strategy and are actively pursuing sustainable packaging solutions as a method of differentiation,” Salvatore Pellingra, VP of Global Application and Innovation Development at ProAmpac, tells PackagingInsights. 

“Also, pet owners are often more in tune with and aware of environment issues. This is fueling not only the demand for more natural pet foods but also influences the packaging the pet food is packaged in. Sustainable packaging is growing based on both of the above,” he further notes.

New Recyclable Paper Touch
ProAmpac’s Signature Surfaces Paper Touch is now available in recyclable rollstock and pre-made pouches. Signature Surfaces coating can be combined with glossy graphics or a clear window that creates an eye-popping display for attracting consumer attention. This material is marketed as having excellent heat resistance, chemical resistance and scuff resistance, along with a low seal-initiation temperature for high-speed form/fill/seal (FFS) applications.

“The Signature Surfaces Paper Touch has a unique tactile surface and more organic feel that has resonated with both consumers and brand owners,” Pellingra tells PackagingInsights. “Most major food and pet food companies have expressed interest in sustainable offerings, especially those who have signed onto the New Plastics Economy Global Commitment. Combining a recyclable solution with unique graphic treatments like Signature Surfaces or other functional improvements had generated added interest from a wide range of regional and global brands.”

“With the feel of kraft paper, ProAmpac’s new Paper Touch recyclable films fulfill brands’ desires for a sustainable flexible package that supports organic and premium products, like pet food, without sacrificing barrier or performance. This revolutionary material offers either standard or high oxygen and moisture barriers and is pre-approved by How2Recycle for store-drop-off,” adds Hesam Tabatabaei, Director of Research, Innovation and Technology at ProAmpac.

Recyclable QuadFlex Pouch
Louann Mueller, Vice President of Research and Development at ProAmpac, highlights ProAmpac’s new recyclable QuadFlex Pouch as being of strong interest to pet food consumers.  

“The ProActive Recyclable QuadFlex is pre-approved by How2Recycle for store drop-off. This pouch delivers high-quality graphics for a strong shelf presence and is available in small to large sizes with optional oxygen barrier properties,” she adds.

New ProActive Portfolio of Sustainable Packaging
Just last month, ProAmpac introduced four product groups within its ProActive portfolio, solutions targeting the sustainability objectives of brand owners and co-packers alike. 

They include:

• ProActive Recyclable – Unique, high-performance products which can be processed after use through typical plastic or paper recycling streams. ProAmpac offers recyclable products such as stand-up pouches, quad seal pouches and rollstock for FFS applications.
• ProActive PCR – Products which contain Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) plastic from non-virgin, recycled plastic resin sources. ProAmpac can incorporate up to fifty percent food-contact compliant PCR into materials to meet sustainability and carbon footprint reduction goals.
• ProActive Renewable – Products which are made from a bio-based feedstock, such as corn or sugarcane. ProAmpac has renewable options which can be incorporated into multi-material laminations for pet packaging.
• ProActive Compostable – Products which biodegrade in industrial composting facilities per conditions set by ASTM D6400. ProAmpac can work with customers to incorporate compostability into their paper and film packaging offerings.

“We are excited to continue the expansion of our ProActive Sustainability product offering to new applications in which our sustainable packaging may be used and to continue to reduce the impact of packaging on the environment,” Pellingra tells PackagingInsights.

“Commercial interest and new applications for ProActive PCR and ProActive Renewable are also growing. Our ProPouch solutions including custom shapes and added functionality with unique dispensing and reclose solutions are also generating a lot of interest in food and non-food applications. ProAmpac offers the widest range of pouches from portioned single serve to large format outdoor, pet food and chemical/industrial bags,” he further notes.