Pretzel packs go renewable

Following in the footsteps of Frito-Lay, pretzel maker Snyder’s of Hanover has become the second U.S. snack maker to introduce packaging made from renewable materials. The new bag, supplied by Clear Lam Packaging, Inc., http://www.clearlam.com/ has been created for the pretzel brand’s organic product line and uses renewable raw materials that are 90% plant-based.

"Our launch of this new renewable, plant-based packaging is just the latest example of our company's commitment to utilizing products and practices that minimize negative effects on the environment," snydersofhanover.com/sustainability says Claude O'Connor, vice president of marketing at Snyder's of Hanover.

According to Clear Lam, during a year of research and development, it replaced conventional petroleum-based plastics with a unique material derived primarily from renewable Ingeo PLA (polylactic acid) from NatureWorks, LLC. When compared to traditional petroleum-based packaging, the renewable raw materials are said to be produced with as little as half the energy and generate as little as 52% fewer greenhouse gas emissions in the manufacturing process.

Clear Lam produced the new package from a film derived from plants not oil. To create the appropriate oxygen and moisture barrier properties to help in protecting the freshness of the product, the film was laminated to another plant-based plastic layer that incorporates a thin metallized layer. The materials are made mostly from Ingeo PLA. Snyder's organic pretzel product line includes 8 Grains & Seeds, Whole Wheat & Oat, and Honey Whole Wheat. A new line of Gluten-Free Pretzel Sticks will also be launching soon.

A bright yellow graphic on the upper right corner of the package helps differentiate the bag on the shelf and directs consumers to the back panel for more information on the benefits of the renewable packaging.

The Clear Lam renewable films are part of the company's Project EarthClear initiatives that include the use of renewable raw materials, the use of recycled content whenever possible, and the use of new lightweighting technologies.