Tipa and PerfoTec double fresh produce shelf life with compostable barrier film
10 Feb 2021 --- Compostable packaging specialist Tipa and Dutch shelf life extension designer PerfoTec are collaborating on a “highly” improved barrier film, which the duo says can reduce plastic waste and carbon emissions while combating the global food waste crisis.
The packaging is a product of Tipa’s compostable material, which the company says performs like conventional plastic, but decomposes in compost with no toxic residue, microplastics or other pollutants.
Tipa is incorporating Perfotec’s patented high precision laser technology (LMPT) to achieve a longer shelf life by adapting food packaging’s permeability.
Tests show the packaging can double the shelf life of fruits, vegetables and flowers.
Talking to PackagingInsights, Tipa’s UK sales Gary Tee, explains how the technology improves standard plastic packaging.
“Our compostable home films have gas and moisture transmission rates that are very different to conventional plastic. Our oxygen and carbon dioxide transmission rate combined with our high moisture transmission rate and PerfoTec’s LMPT optimize the permeability of flexible packaging.”
“This enables the optimal conditions to be created to extend the shelf life of produce and flowers.”
Fending off food waste
The technology delivers several sustainability benefits after a lengthy development process, says PerfoTec.
Tests show the comparative degradation of food kept in the partnership’s compost packs against that of plastic.“After months of trials with this film, we realized that Tipa’s compostable film combined with PerfoTec’s patented laser perforation provided the best shelf life for fruits, vegetables and flowers by far,” says PerfoTec CEO, Bas Groeneweg.
“It provides longer shelf life and freshness, which means fewer quality losses, less food waste and cost savings for producers and retailers. We’re playing our part in the stride against quality losses, food waste and plastic pollution.”
Extending shelf life does more than prevent food waste at home for consumers, asserts Tee.
Where food waste is inevitable on store shelves, compostable packaging also reduces difficulties in transport and unpacking at industrial compost sites, where removing plastic is usually a costly procedure.
“Any fresh produce discarded by supermarkets packed using compostable packaging can be sent with its package to organic waste disposal without unpacking produce first or contaminating the waste stream at all.”
“Another added benefit is that the result of composted packaging is nutrient-rich compost, which is used to replace lost topsoil, which in turn creates a nourishing environment for new plant life and produce,” he explains.
Consumers lose patience with pollution 
Extending shelf life with the compostable film could help reduce the UN-estimated 1.3 billion tons of food wasted each year.The partnership comes in response to increasing consumer demand to tackle food waste and combat plastic pollution.
Eighty-five percent of UK consumers believe compostable packaging should be used to wrap food as an alternative to plastic.
Industry demand for environmental plastic substitutes that don’t compromise product quality is also rising.
Growing market share for eco-friendly alternatives to conventional plastic, like compostable films, is projected to be a key contributor to the global flexible packaging market’s growth.
The market is expected to increase from US$160.8 billion to over US$200 billion by 2025, say the companies.
Fighting waste with science
The collaboration is not alone in its efforts to develop shelf life-extending technologies aimed at preventing food waste. US-based Savrpak, which recently won a P&G Ventures Innovation Challenge, has been shown to extend food freshness for ten to 14 days.
The EU-funded NanoPack project, for which an essential oils film has been developed, is also demonstrating the ability to extend the shelf life of cheese by up to 50 percent.
By Louis Gore-Langton
