Sealed Air unveils UK Plastics Tax-compliant ultra-light recycled film for fresh foods

01 Dec 2020 --- Sealed Air is unveiling “the world’s first” food-grade soft plastic film containing Certified Circular Resins (CCR) for food wraps and trays in fresh meat, fish and cheese applications. 

The US-headquartered supplier is striving toward 100 percent recyclable or reusable packaging solutions by 2025.

The new Cryovac Brand rBDF S10 Film is made from up to 30 percent food-grade CCR, certified by the International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC). The independent organization is a global leader in accrediting materials and processes for the circular economy.

The inclusion of 30 percent recycled plastic is timely, with the UK government proposing draft legislation on plastic packaging with less than 30 percent recycled plastic. Sealed Air was among the respondents to the first government consultation.

The tax – effective from April 2022 – will charge £200 (US$264) per ton of plastic packaging that falls short of the 30 percent requirement and is expected to impact around 20,000 plastics packaging producers and importers.

Ultra-light circular savings
Along with its market-leading levels of recycled plastic content, the film helps food companies improve environmental impact through its ultra-thin barrier. At 21 microns, the barrier is a third lighter than widely used HFFS packs and three times thinner than other thermoformable films.Sealed Air’s Cryovac Brand rBDF S10 Film is made from up to 30% food-grade CCR.

“The innovative use of CCR in Cryovac Brand rBD S10 Film perfectly complements the shrink packaging’s ultra-thin, high-abuse, mechanical-resistance and anti-fog performance,” explains Arnaud Brunet, fluids and adjacent markets platform director at Sealed Air.

“Together, these form a packaging system well-aligned with a circular economy that’s aiming to lower waste and increase resourcefulness.” 

Attractive film transparency
The high gloss finish and transparent clarity of Sealed Air’s film help enhance the appearance of food, driving sales and reducing waste. Leak-proof closures, hermetic sealing and a protective barrier further minimize waste by safeguarding food integrity and extending shelf life.

Cryovac Brand rBDF S10 Film can be used to wrap foods with or without trays. The overwrap film with modified atmosphere is ideal for fresh red meat, poultry, fish, smoked and processed meat, cheese, convenience food and ready meals. 

“Cryovac Brand rBDF S10 Film epitomizes how Sealed Air is supporting companies throughout food supply chains to meet the opportunities and demands of a circular economy,” continues Brunet.

“We are embracing sustainability from the very beginning of packaging design and development to create solutions that optimize resources and enhance efficiencies.”The overwrap film with modified atmosphere is ideal for fresh red meat, convenience food and ready meals.

In 2018, Sealed Air announced a bold sustainability and plastics pledge to design and advance its innovative packaging solutions to be 100 percent recyclable or reusable by 2025.

Sealed Air in the news
In August, Sealed Air invested US$2.5 million in chemical recycling specialist Plastic Energy Global. Plastic Energy Global’s Thermal Anaerobic Conversion (TAC) technology process complements mechanical recycling by recycling difficult-to-recycle plastics.

More recently, Sealed Air unveiled a unique soft vacuum packaging system with continuous flow to help cheese processors optimize product quality and make 50 percent energy savings compared to systems delivering similar outputs. The fully automated system can package 10-40 cheeses per minute.

Away from plastics, Sealed Air launched a series of paper void-fill and cushioning packaging machines. The two paper cushioning systems provide protective block and bracing, using wrapping and coiling methods to package and protect light, heavy and sharp products effectively.

By Joshua Poole