PET Food Processing - June 2018 - 67

"Store drop-off of
all-polyethylene pouches
for recyclability is a
growing trend and brand
directive in some cases."
Dave Potter, Plastic Packaging Technologies

Printpack is also looking at solutions for the end of a
package's life. "One area is the recyclable path and another path is the compostable path. We are developing
things in both areas," Schaich reports.
Several other suppliers have come up with options that
address material waste. Emmerson Packaging, based in
Nova Scotia, Canada, has introduced PetPack-BDG biodegradable packaging, a shelf-stable packaging material
for pet food. The biodegradable packaging is suitable for a
variety of formats, including moist or wet pet foods.
This spring, the environmental packaging firm Elif,
based in Turkey, launched a new pre-made pouch solution that has been deemed "neo-eco" packaging because
of its improvements in functionality, performance, costefficiency and ecology. The 100 percent recyclable polyethylene (PE) stand-up pouch solution eliminates the
need of lamination with other substrates and enables
consumer recycling with other PE materials. ProAmpac,
Cincinnati, Ohio, has expanded its portfolio of packaging products to include a pouch made of recyclable
HDPE, approved for post-consumer recycling.
There are other ways to reduce the footprint of packaging. Potter underscores the idea of going through store
drop-off programs to recycle materials. "Store drop-off
of all-polyethylene pouches for recyclability is a growing
trend and brand directive in some cases," he says.

Smooth operators
To help processors stay competitive, packaging material
suppliers work to provide innovative films and bags that
work efficiently with packaging equipment. At Poly-clip
System, Schrader says integration of technology used on
processing lines allows processors to maximize uptime
and efficiency. She cites Poly-clip's latest fully automated
sealing and clipping system, the TSCA 160, that uses the
latest R-ID clip. "Known as the 'talking clip', R-ID clips
also communicate with the TSCA to avoid incorrect settings of the machine by alerting the operator if the clip size
and die are mismatched to prevent damage and downtime
due to improper machine settings," she explains, adding

that the clip technology provides optimized geometry for
tighter clip closure and decreased oxygen transmission,
among other benefits.
Potter, meanwhile, underscores today's high-speed,
high-volume production environment. "'Tons out the
door' is the normal measurement," he points out, noting
that that is a mindset at the same time as a proliferation
of smaller quantities across more SKUs in a targeted, diverse market for pet foods and treats.
Reflecting the business goal of optimizing resources,
Schrader says that Poly-clip's fully automated sealing
and clipping system is a two-in-one pet food packaging solution that uses less expensive flat film instead of
shirred casings. Because the film is taken from the roll
and sealed to a ready-to-fill film tube, which is then
filled and securely clipped in the integrated clipping
unit using the double-clipping process, she reports
that users can achieve an average of a 30% reduction in
packaging costs along with reduced storage space and
shipment costs.
While they keep pace with production demands and
expectations, processors also have to contend with challenges associated with the packaging of pet foods and
treats in film materials. "All of the proteins have various animal fats, and there is a grease barrier. The last
thing you want to do, whether in foods or treats, is put it
back in corrugated and get grease stains. So, in this category, there are grease-out tests to make sure your seals
and barrier films are retaining," Potter says, noting that
Plastic Packaging Technologies offers high barrier film
combinations for moisture and grease resistance, as well
as anti-fog clear films for windows.
Schaich also points to the importance of barrier properties in any kind of film packaging. "Dog food can be
very greasy. Everyone wants the best package, and that
includes the best protection for your products," he says.
That protection is a focal point for materials going forward, especially those that are more eco-friendly. "If you
want recyclability or compost-ability, you still have to
maintain levels of barriers," he remarks.
PFP

Consumers are
increasingly concerned
with the impact of
packaging materials on
the environment.
Plastic Packaging Technolgies

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PET Food Processing - June 2018

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