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Following successful trials, Belgian supermarket chain Delhaize is expanding its environmentally friendly packaging program, using NatureWorks PLA, 100 percent nature-based packaging.
After a range of tests which began in August 2005 in one store, all Delhaize supermarketsin Belgium will be using packaging made from NatureWorks PLA for prepared salads, both in-store and by external suppliers, as well as organic and traditional bread. The range of packaging products comprises transparent delicatessen salad trays and the windows on bread bags usedby in-store bakeries. All these will be made from the natural material. The change-over from traditional petroleum-based plastics (PET) packaging to NatureWorks PLA is supported by in-store posters and labels on all salad packages. These are to ensure that shoppers are made awarethat the packaging is made from annually renewable resources.
According to Philippe Henri Heymans of Delhaize: “The Delhaize companywants to insure that its activities have a minimum impact on the environment, and NatureWorks PLA packaging is one of a range of on-going initiatives being introduced to our shoppers in Belgium."
IngridNelis of Delhaize adds: "Before introducing the new packaging, we carried out a series of tests to establish that the new material would provide us with the same performance both in terms of hygiene, food safety and protection as well as customer convenience. Following the positive reactions from our customers to the 2005 tests and with these current applications up and running throughout our store network, we are now in the process of testing and evaluating further possible packagingapplications for NatureWorks PLA."
Mark Vergauwen, Business Development Manager for NatureWorks BV adds: NatureWorks PLA (polylactide) is completely derived from annually renewable resources. The technology used to produce the material harvests the starch stored in theseannually renewable resources (eg field maize) into natural plant sugars. The sugar is then fermented into lactic acid which is used to create a clear plastic known as polylactide. NatureWorks PLA can be shapedinto a variety of bottles, containers, trays, films and other packaging, which decompose in industrial compost facilities according to standard EN13432. As an extra bonus for environmentally-conscious consumers, the production of NatureWorks PLA uses up to 65 percent less fossilfuel resources then traditional plastics and it is the world’s first greenhouse-gas-neutral polymer.”
The NatureWorks PLA packaging in Delhaize is currently supplied by three converters:
Guillin Emballages designs, manufactures and distributes standard thermoformed plastic packaging throughout Europe. Guillin Emballages is European leader in cake, pastry and catering containers for supermarkets, and the food industry; in both warm and cold use.
Sabert has productionfacilities in New Jersey, California, USA and Brussels, Belgium. As aleading supplier of stock and custom packaging to the fresh preparedfood market, Sabert offers a broad range of bowls and platters.
Sidaplax, is a leading manufacturer and converter of EarthFirst PLAfilm. EarthFirst PLA film is produced from NatureWorks PLA resin. Common applications film are window envelopes folding carton windows and label applications.
NatureWorks LLC is the first company to offer a family of commercially available greenhouse-gas-neutral polymersderived from 100 percent annually renewable resources with cost and performance that compete with petroleum-based packaging materials and fibers.
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