Dear Readers,
In our effort to go green, we are looking at different options. One of the options I am researching is biodegradable PCMs, specifically vegetable oil-based cold packs. Some of the articles I have read report their performance is on par with the current lines of cold packs available. Do you agree? Have you had any experience with vegetable oil-based cold packs? Thank you for your response. I enjoy your newsletters!
The EU will invest $9.4 million in a project to develop sustainable and renewable packaging materials using nanotechnology. The four-year SustainComp project involves 17 European organizations, including packaging material manufacturers Alcan, SCA, and Novamont, plus chemical companies and associations. All participants will put research money into the project for a total budget of $13.8 million. Read more.
Wal-Mart named HP the winner of its Home Entertainment Design Challenge, singling out the technology company for further reducing the environmental impact of personal computers. The HP dv6929 Entertainment notebook features an innovative design that reduces product packaging by 97%, conserving fuel, and reduces CO2 emissions by removing the equivalent of one out of every four trucks previously needed to deliver the notebooks to Wal-Mart stores and Sam's Club locations. HP radically redesigned the packaging of the notebook computer by replacing conventional protective shipping materials and boxes with the HP Protect Messenger Bag, a protective accessory with fabric made from 100% recycled materials. This allows for a dramatic reduction in overall packaging content and size while delivering equal, if not better, product protection when compared to conventional packaging. Consumers who purchase the can take advantage of free recycling of their old PC. Read more.
Alcan Packaging Food Americas, Chicago, is now offering high-barrier packaging solutions with Ceramis-brand polyactic acid biodegradable and compostable barrier films. The new offerings feature a silicon oxide nanocoating, which offers protection against oxygen, water vapor, and other gases, while maintaining optical clarity and high gloss. Ceramis is machinable, allowing processors to use established converting equipment. Read more.
UPM Raflatac, Inc. has received chain of custody certification from the world's three prominent forest certification organizations—the Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI), the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC), and the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). The certifications cover UPM Raflatac's North American label stock manufacturing facilities located in Fletcher, North Carolina, and Dixon, Illinois, and the company's slitting and distribution terminal located in Ontario, California. Read more.
Metabolix, Inc. announced that in recently completed greenhouse trials switch grass plants engineered using Metabolix multi-gene expression technology produced significant amounts of PHA bioplastics in leaf tissues. This result is the first successful expression of a new functional multi-gene pathway in switch grass. Metabolix said the trials demonstrate that its bioengineering capabilities are a powerful tool for maximizing the potential of biomass crops for both bioplastics and biofuels production. Read more.
Trends in Ethical and Sustainable Packaging is a new management report published by Business Insights that examines the new innovations in ethical and sustainable packaging by category, region, and material. It profiles major innovations within ethical and sustainable food and drinks packaging, including the latest packaging technologies and materials. Read more.
