Brands And Packaging Giants Accelerate The Transition From Chocolate Packaging To Paper Packaging

Brands and packaging giants accelerate the transition from chocolate packaging to paper packaging

Van Genecten Packaging has developed PurePac, a recyclable folding carton pack for chocolate that has a grease-resistant interior and reportedly eliminates the need for foil or plastic inner packaging. According to the company, PurePac is a certified fully recyclable chocolate carton that eliminates the need for inner packaging made from foil, plastic or foil/paper. Made from standard FBB GC1/GC2, the pack has anti-grease barrier properties that reportedly protect the chocolate from contamination and preserve the aroma inside.

Vangenecten Packaging claims that producing 100 million PurePacs will save 150,000 kilograms of aluminium foil compared to traditional chocolate packaging. In addition, the company says that PurePac enables optimal production and material efficiency, saving the company up to €5 per 1,000 packs used.

As for packaging design, Vangeneckten Packaging offers a range of surface treatment technologies, including low-migration inks and decorative varnishing technologies, as well as decorations such as cold foiling and embossing. The company says it uses food-safe colors and varnishing technology to print inside and outside the package. Finally, the PurePac can be easily opened and closed, making "convenience more sustainable," according to the company.

Vangenecten Packaging noted that demand for more sustainable and ethical chocolate is strong as consumers switch to fair trade products. However, the company added that typical chocolate packaging is single-use and/or multi-material, which can make it difficult to recycle and doesn't fully meet consumer sustainability needs, something PurePac is committed to addressing.

In fact, prior to this, giants including Stora Enso and Amcor have developed paper chocolate packaging. The company describes its new Performa Light product as a renewable and recyclable board for premium folding cartons typically used to package chocolate and confectionery, as well as beauty products. According to Stora Enso, Performa Light can reduce CO2 emissions during production by 70 percent compared to competitors, thanks to fossil-free energy production and patented fiber processing technology FiberLight Tec, the company says This technology saves energy and raw materials.

The company also says that its new paperboard is very lightweight and stronger thanks to the microfibrillated cellulose in the structure, which obviously reduces waste and CO2 emissions during transport. “Consumers are increasingly choosing brands that enable them to live an environmentally friendly life. By offering low-carbon products for chocolate packaging, we can help confectionary brands meet this demand by making a difference in the fight against climate change, ” said Erstan Axnes, Vice President of Stora Enso’s Liquid Packaging and Cardboard Division.

Amcor introduced LifeSpan Performance Paper for the snack and confectionary market, a high-barrier, grease-resistant and recyclable paper packaging. According to Amcor, LifeSpan Performance Paper has a paper fiber content of over 80% while also being FSC certified and PVDC free. Tests with this paper have shown that more than 80% of the contents are recovered during the recycling process, which means it is recyclable in most European countries.

LifeSpan Performance Paper is the first new product launched as part of Amcor's global AmFiber platform. The company says it will help brands deal with the growing consumer demand for paper packaging, which Amcor's research has reportedly found that paper is consumers' preferred choice for confectionary brands and influences purchasing preferences.

Noemi Bertolino, Vice President of R&D for Amcor EMEA Flexible Packaging, commented: "LifeSpan Performance Paper is a unique paper-based solution that provides high barrier properties even in tropical conditions. Our customers Their packaging line has been confirmed to have excellent performance and high barrier properties after processing, overcoming two common challenges when switching to paper. We are currently developing further applications for LifeSpan Performance Paper such as coffee, spice, dry Soup etc." LifeSpan Performance Paper material has been successfully tested at FMCG brand. Expected to appear in snack and confectionary stores in Europe in 2022, it is expected to rapidly expand into coffee and cooking applications.

In addition, some confectionery companies are working to improve sustainability by adding recycled content to existing plastic packaging. For example, Mondelez brand Cadbury milk will be made in packaging containing up to 30% recycled plastic in 2022. In a similar note, the Ferrero Group last year announced plans to transform its Ferrero Rocher chocolate line into a partnership with Milliken.

Food and beverage giant Mondelez earlier announced that its Cadbury milk range sold in the UK and Ireland will be made in packaging containing up to 30% recycled plastic. Mondelez said the new product range is part of the company's broader global commitment to reduce the use of virgin plastic materials in its overall plastic packaging portfolio by 5% by 2025, assuming the product mix remains the same.

Mondelez said that in its food portfolio, its Dairylea lunch and snack range already uses 75% rPET content in packaging in the UK. Mondelez will invest more than £21 million a year in technology, resources and recycling infrastructure, and claims this investment is expected to accelerate over time. The company said it aims to invest more than £215 million in sustainability initiatives for its plastic products by 2025.

Mondelez and its partners also launched the Flexible Plastics Fund. = This initiative aims to increase the recycling rate of flexible plastics in the UK, starting with pre-store collection and may in the future expand to include the material in UK household collections. The company is also a member of the UK Plastics Pact as part of its global commitment to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation New Plastics Economy.

And confectionery brand Ferrero Group also announced that its Ferrero Rocher chocolate line will come with a recyclable carton as part of its commitment to make its packaging 100% reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025. The Ferrero Group says its "new eco-designed carton" is the result of a collaboration between its research and development team and Milliken's materials experts. As part of this collaboration, the two companies have apparently developed and trialled more than 29 different plastic resins.

According to the Ferrero Group, the final design is made of PP, a material it claims is easier to recycle globally. As part of its "iconic" design, the carton will retain its transparency. The company will roll out the new boxes globally in stages starting in September 2021. The carbon footprint of both the new 16- and 30-piece boxes will be reduced by at least 30%. When the new carton is recycled, this apparently reduces the carbon footprint by 70% compared to the original carton.