Pet Food Processing - May 2024 - 74

PACKAGING
" Since joining the Packaging
Pledge, many have launched new recyclable
packaging formats, or have
developed new packaging supplier
relationships to provide recyclable
or compostable options, " Boden
said.
The Pet Sustainability Coalition
also offers member companies
a Packaging Supplier Checklist
which helps manufacturers compare
sustainable options offered by
different packaging suppliers. Its recently
launched Packaging Supplier
Marketplace allows users to search,
filter and evaluate a pre-vetted directory
of packaging suppliers that
offer sustainable packaging options
including recyclable, refillable or compostable soluPetcurean's
Go!
Solutions Skin + Coat
Care Lamb Recipe
with Grains is now
sold in recyclable
bags which feature
the How2Recycle
logo along with recycling
instructions for
consumers.
Petcurean
tions, Boden said.
" This can lead to new pet food processor/packaging
supplier partnerships, " she said.
Packaging possibilities
Processors looking for sustainable packaging, specifically
recyclable options, have a number of choices they
can consider. But the key to finding solutions that best
fit the needs of the pet food product and the processor's
existing operations is to consider packaging suppliers as
active partners in the process.
" It is all about collaboration, " said Tim Kieny, vice
president of Strategic Marketing, TC Transcontinental
Packaging, Chicago. " There is no one-size-fits-all solution.
Pet food processors can partner with their packaging
suppliers like TC Transcontinental Packaging to
understand their options and select the right sustainable
choice for their particular situation and application.
" Processors are active participants in the development
and adoption of innovative packaging solutions by
providing valuable insights driven by consumer preferences,
testing new concepts and materials, investing in
new technologies, and partnering with packaging companies
like ours to create custom solutions tailored to
their products' specific needs, " he added.
TC Transcontinental Packaging's vieVERTe®
Recycle
Ready product line includes 100% recyclable products
designed for How2Recycle store drop-off. The company
also offers vieVERTe®
PCR (post-consumer recycled)
products which enhance the sustainability of flexible
packaging through the incorporation of post-consumer
recycled content.
" We are actively developing offerings for fresh and refrigerated
pet foods, dry kibble and pet treats available in
74 PET FOOD PROCESSING | May 2024 | www.petfoodprocessing.net
Compostable considerations
Compostable packaging has its own set of challenges,
and many say it's not the sustainable solution that recycle-ready
is for the pet food industry.
" The composting infrastructure in the United States
There is a larger question
with compostable materials -
under what conditions are they
truly compostable? "
Alex Dam, Thanh Phu Packaging Co.
The pet food industry is leaning toward using more recycle-ready
packaging, but there are challenges with package
sizes. Pet food and snack packages range from less than 1
lb to large kibble packages that could weigh 40 to 50 lbs.
Recycle-ready packaging must be able to hold up to the
product's weight. In addition, the packaging integrity must
be able to maintain product quality and safety.
" Sustainable packaging needs to protect the product
exactly as the incumbent packaging has always done, "
Reinke said. " In addition, any off smells or compromises
to freshness could impact taste or acceptance. Pets have
a very good sense of smell and can detect these things
much easier and quicker than humans. The packaging
industry has been trying to clear these hurdles for years.
" New packaging may also require updates and alterations
to processing lines, " Reinke added. " There needs to
be a strong bond of partnerships between pet food processors
and packaging suppliers to achieve success. "
a variety of formats such as quads-seal bags, flat-bottom
bags, stand-up pouches, chubs and rollstock, " Kieny said.
Amcor has designed a line of materials in its
portfolio that are focused on the inclusion of
AmPrima®
polyethylene (PE). AmPrima is designed to be recycled
at store drop-off locations or through curbside recycling,
if clean and dry, Reinke said.
" At Thanh Phu, we adhere to the rule that 95% of
packaging composition comes from a single material,
even for high barrier structures, " Dam said. " This
should give our customers the highest compliance with
CEFLEX or How2Recycle packaging design-for-recyclability
(D4R) guidelines. "
Many states are requesting that post-consumer recycled
resins are used in packaging.
" Thanh Phu offers advanced recycling food-safe PCR in
our D4R or recyclable packaging for our pet care customers,
through our exclusive partnership with ExxonMobil
using their Exxtend technology, " Dam said. " Additionally,
we can also produce bio-based mono-polyethylene packaging
materials for pet food and other industries. "
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