Sealed Air develops CO2-reducing chlorine-free shrink bags

31 Aug 2020 --- Sealed Air has introduced chlorine-free vacuum shrink bags to help food processors and retailers improve food safety and advance the circular economy. The CRYOVAC brand OptiDure Bags (ODF4005) are made from a carefully selected range of resins that deliver a highly protective chlorine-free EVOH barrier to extend shelf life, reduce waste and safeguard food during distribution, storage and retail. The total packaging weight is reduced by more than half in the high-tech generation of multilayer, coextruded shrink bags, enabling operators to lower carbon footprints by up to 39 percent compared to standard bags, the US-headquartered supplier indicates.

“The principles of a circular economy are increasingly becoming standard practice. Consumers across Europe are demanding less waste and better use of resources. They want cleaner, safer and more sustainable ways of living, which influences how they buy food,” points out Jos Van den Block, Food Proteins Packaging Director at Sealed Air.

“CRYOVAC brand OptiDure Bags have been designed for food processors and retailers to meet these market demands. The chlorine-free EVOH barrier offers excellent oxygen resistance and other potential contaminants such as moisture, humidity and aromas. This protects food quality and safety, extends shelf life and minimizes waste,” explains Van den Block.

The food integrity is further protected by the advanced shrink qualities of OptiDure and its strong abuse-resistant material. Together, these prevent rips, tears and punctures, while the shrink bag’s pleated heat seals stop leaks and preserve freshness and flavor.The CRYOVAC brand OptiDure Bags are made from resins that deliver a protective chlorine-free EVOH barrier to extend shelf life (Image credit: Sealed Air).

“The benefits of OptiDure extend beyond its protective qualities. Its overlap sealing properties, combined with automated high-speed packing systems, stop bags from sticking together. This can reduce levels of extra work caused by seal failures by up to 45 percent, helping improve efficiencies and further eliminating waste,” continues Van den Block.

“Additional benefits are delivered by the shrink bag’s bright, glossy and transparent material. This improves pack appearance and enhances the consumer brand experience to encourage purchasing.”

Heat-sealing vacuum systems
OptiDure Bags work with a range of heat-sealing vacuum packaging systems, such as shrink bags or ULMA Flow-Vac, and are ideal for packing fresh meats and poultry, smoked and processed meats and cheeses. 

“CRYOVAC brand OptiDure bags represent another innovative step forward in providing food processors and retailers with modern packaging solutions that perform on many different levels. Market demands and expectations of packaging are becoming greater, and it’s more important than ever for food packaging to deliver both outstanding safety and sustainability benefits,” concludes Van den Block.

Sealed Air in the news
In August, Sealed Air signed a collaboration agreement with advanced chemical recycling technology company Plastic Energy to combat plastic pollution. Toward this end, Sealed Air made an equity investment of US$2.5 million in Plastic Energy Global, the parent company of Plastic Energy. The latter’s Thermal Anaerobic Conversion technology process complements mechanical recycling as part of the circular economy by reducing the need for incineration or landfilling.

In July, Macfarlane Packaging, the UK’s largest distributor of protective packaging materials, announced that from August 1, 2020, it would replace existing stock bubble wrap with a new Sealed Air AirCap bubble wrap, which contains a minimum of 50 percent recycled material. The inclusion of recycled content reduces the amount of virgin material used in production and contributes to reducing the amount of plastic waste going into landfill. The new format AirCap bubble includes the Sealed Air barrier seal, which traps the air for longer and ensures consistent cushioning to protect products for longer.

Sealed Air launched its redesigned, fully recyclable Mail Lite mailer at FachPack 2019. PackagingInsights spoke to Stuart Roberts, Executive Director Business Development EMEA Product Care for Sealed Air, about the mailer’s sustainability qualities, including easily-separable recyclable components and a co-extruded inner bubble cushioning made of at least 60 percent recycled content. Roberts also discusses the supplier’s ambitions to produce mailers containing 100 percent recycled plastic and the barriers to that goal.

Edited by Joshua Poole