Weekly Roundup: Chobani presents Oat Yogurt paper cup, McDonald’s achieves majority sustainable fiber sourcing

27 Aug 2021 --- In packaging news this week, Chobani launched a paper cup for its Oat Yogurt in a bid to slash plastic usage, while McDonald’s announced it has achieved near total sustainably sourced paper fiber for its packaging. Also, researchers found that cartonboard produces 90 percent fewer carbon emissions than other packaging types.

In brief: Fiber-based frenzy
US food company Chobani launched a paper cup for its Oat Yogurt product to reduce plastic throughout its portfolio. The cups join its oat milk, cold brew coffee and coffee creamers, already packaged in paper. Made from 80 percent paperboard, the cups also contain a thin plastic lining for barrier protection. While Chobani says the materials are recyclable, it is “being realistic” about the reality of the complex and disparate US recycling streams. The new cups will be launched at the end of the year. 

McDonald’s announced that “nearly all” of its paper packaging is now sourced from environmentally sustainable fiber. In its 2020 sustainability report, the company says that 99.6 percent of the paper bags, food wrappers, napkins, cup carriers, and other fiber-based materials it used to package meals for customers came from recycled or certified sustainable fiber sources. This is up from 92 percent in 2019. McDonald’s goal for 2025 is for all customer packaging to come from renewable, recycled or certified sources. Currently, 80 percent of its packaging comes from such sources. McDonald’s currently sources 80% of its packaging from renewable, recycled or certified sources.

World Centric expanded its NoTree collection of 100 percent tree-free, bio-based and compostable packaging with 17 new products. Available across North America, the range is intended to provide more environmentally sustainable alternatives to traditional disposable foodservice ware for operators. As with all items in the NoTree collection, the new products are made of renewable plant fibers like bamboo and sugarcane with bio-based moisture barrier linings instead of petroleum plastic. They are also heat lamp tolerant, warming oven friendly, and suitable for hot or cold foods. All NoTree items are 100 percent compostable in commercial composting facilities.

In brief: New research 
A study by the Research Institutes of Sweden (RISE) Bioeconomy unit found that cartonboard produces a 90 percent smaller carbon footprint in comparison with other packaging materials. The research, entitled “Comparing the carbon footprint of carton packaging against alternative solutions,” examines the cradle-to-grave environmental performance of cartonboard in frozen food, ready meal, fast food and small electricals packaging. Cartonboard was compared to other commonly-used packaging materials, such as multilaminate film bags, PP trays, PET trays and PVC blister packs. The findings show cartonboard scored 262 for kilograms of CO2 per ton of material ready for conversion. In comparison, other materials produced around ten times the carbon footprint; Amorphous PET granulate (3,093), PP (2,110), PVC (2,122), LDPE granulate (2,305), HDPE granulate (2,110). The study was carried out for Pro Carton, the European Association of Cartonboard and Carton Manufacturers. 

In brief: Business news
International Paper announced the timing and details of its spinoff Printing Paper business, known as Sylvamo Corporation. Sylvamo will be a new, publicly-traded company listed on the New York Stock Exchange. International Paper shareholders will not receive fractional shares of Sylvamo common stock. Instead, fractional shares of Sylvamo common stock will be aggregated and sold in the open market, with the net proceeds distributed pro rata in cash payments to the International Paper shareholders who would otherwise receive a fractional share of Sylvamo common stock.Antalis Packaging aided a chemical producer with packaging machinery for its hand sanitizer business.

In brief: Packaging education
Elisava, Barcelona School of Design and Engineering, Spain, collaborated for the fourth consecutive year with beauty packaging manufacturer Quadpack. Working with academia allows the company to “foster young talent and inspire a mindset of collaborative innovation to create sustainable solutions.” Over the course of the partnership, the company has employed several graduates and acquired the rights to develop “the most outstanding concepts.” This year, students were asked to consider what is essential in packaging to design solutions that benefit the economy, the environment and society, while adding value to consumers. Seven design and engineering undergraduates participated, spending their final year concocting proposals under the mentorship of Quadpack Designer Rubén Caño.

In brief: Hand sanitizer lift off
Antalis Packaging helped an unnamed global manufacturer of petrochemicals and specialty chemical products establish packaging machinery for its hand sanitizer business. Following an assessment, the Antalis machinery team configured a packaging process that would provide optimum efficiency relative to the space, number of packers, and packed products. The solution uses a Masterline 320 carton closing and sealing machine, a Lantech Q300 semi-automatic pallet wrapper, with a power pre-stretch of up to 300 percent and production speed of up to 25 pallets per hour, connected by a series of bespoke conveyors. Master’In power pre-stretch film was recommended for use with the Lantech Q300. The company is touting its ability to provide solutions for the rising demand for hand sanitizer quickly. 

By Louis Gore-Langton