BASF and Confoil jointly develop certified compostable double oven trays for ready-to-eat food packaging
Latest News:
● DualPakECO® trays are made of lightweight cardboard and coated with BASF’s biopolymer ecovio® PS
1606
● Commercially compostable solutions extend the life cycle of paper food packaging to support organic recycling
● Performance on par with traditional polyethylene terephthalate (PET) food trays in terms of processing, sealing, printability and strength
● Food trays can be used in refrigerators and freezers in addition to microwaves and conventional ovens
June 30, 2022 –
BASF and Australian food packaging manufacturer Confoil have teamed up to develop a certified compostable paper food tray for dual-function ovens. The inside of the paper tray is coated with BASF’s ecovio® PS
1606, a partially bio-based, certified compostable biopolymer designed specifically for the production of coatings for paper or cardboard food packaging. called DualPakECO®
The pallets are certified to Australian Standard AS4736-2006 and certified for food safety contact according to international requirements. In addition to being used in ready-to-eat meals such as lasagna, curries and stir-fries, they can also be used in cold or frozen meals in supermarkets, and even in catering and restaurant takeaways.
The trays can be recycled organically, extending the life of the paper packaging: they can be commercially composted with organic waste collected in organic waste bins. As a result, new packaging solutions for the recycling of food scraps and organics stained with food packaging increase the diversion of food waste from landfills and incinerators.
Replaces PET with sustainability benefits
This new certified compostable solution is an alternative to traditional PET packaging for ready-to-eat meals. Not only can this tray be heated in conventional ovens and microwaves, but it can also be refrigerated or frozen. They have excellent barrier properties to fats, liquids and odors, helping to maintain food freshness and taste. CEO of Confoil
Alison Buxton
“We wanted to create a paper food tray that meets all food industry requirements, with the added benefit of being certified compostable. With ecovio® PS, a certified compostable biopolymer from BASF
With 1606, we’ve found the ideal ingredient to take the next step in sustainable solutions for our product portfolio, while helping customers achieve their sustainability goals. Our joint development represents a shift from paper-based and certified compostable materials to support Australia’s National Plastics Plan, which aims to reduce the environmental impact of packaging by 2025. “Composting trials have shown that under commercial composting conditions, DualPakECO®
The trays decompose into water, carbon dioxide and a nutrient-rich compound fertilizer within four to six weeks.
ecovio® PS 1606 Extend the life of paper applications
for DualPakECO®
The cardboard can be easily shaped and allows printing. The board is lightweight and rigid, making it suitable for in-line production equipment. It also provides a secure seal on a variety of film substrates and machines. Paper discs are coated with ecovio® in a single layer extrusion process
PS
1606. Due to the excellent mass transfer and barrier properties of BASF biopolymers, it is also possible to use recycled paper in food applications. The high content of renewable raw materials leads to a reduction in the carbon footprint of the material, which can lead to savings in greenhouse gas emissions. Rowan, Biopolymer Market Development, BASF
“Composting is the most resource-efficient food waste recycling process,” says Williams. “This packaging solution supports a circular economy as it helps divert food waste and food-stained packaging from landfills and incinerators, thereby avoiding Related greenhouse gas emissions. PET food trays currently on the market cannot be reused, they are difficult to recycle mechanically and are not economical, so in real life they are mostly landfilled or incinerated. We found the ideal partner
Confoil, working together to develop a solution, has proven that it is feasible to produce food packaging that combines sustainability with high-tech performance. ”
ecovio® PS 1606 can be applied to containers with cold or hot contents, as well as bowls and dishes with dry, solid, liquid or fatty contents. ecovio® by BASF
The grades are suitable for extrusion coating and lamination techniques. Compostable solutions are also available for home and industry in combination with ecovio® grades depending on paper or cardboard.
Marketing presentation at the Australian Organic Recycling Association Conference
DualPakECO® trays were launched at the Australian Organics Recycling Association (AORA) 2022 Annual Meeting in Glenelg, Australia. AORA Chairman Peter
Wadewitz said at the event: “Australia’s standards are some of the most stringent in the world for compostable plastics. Commercial composting is an integral part of a circular economy where organic waste can be turned into a valuable resource instead of being landfilled or incinerated. .Compost from organic matter recycling can be used in agriculture to improve degraded soils and return organic matter to the soil, ensuring future productivity.”
New packaging solutions are available for organic recycling, such as Australia’s FOGO (Food Organics and Garden Organics) recycling service. This is a curbside recycling service that allows food scraps to be added to the garden bin so they can be recycled into high-quality compost. Through the National Waste Policy Action Plan, Australian states and territories committed to increasing FOGO recycling services and agreed to roll out the service to all households and businesses by the end of 2023.