Superfos to test oxo-biodegradable additive in packaging

The Danish company confirmed it had entered into a five-year supply agreement for the d2w OB additives from Symphony Environmental Technologies and its French distributor Alternative Plastics Sarl.

A statement from Symphony said Superfos had gained exclusive European Union rights for the manufacture of a range of top-filled injection moulded rigid plastic packaging using the additives. No financial or volume details of the contract were disclosed.

Testing​

But Superfos said that while it was investigating using d2w as part of its ongoing sustainability drive, the additive would undergo a series of rigorous checks before being incorporated into its packaging.

“We investigate all available technologies for sustainable solutions,”​ a company spokeswoman told FoodProductionDaily.com. “The d2w additives will be tested thoroughly in line with other relevant technological alternatives which may point ahead towards an even more sustainable packaging production.”​

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Superfos said testing would begin with its paint pot products followed by experiments for use in food items such as salad tubs. The company said in addition to the d2w tests, it was currently examining “a number of​ pure degradable processes and optimized manufacturing processes”​ for potential inclusion into its packaging.

Hans Pettersson, Superfos CEO, appeared to suggest that if the company was satisfied with its evaluation of d2w, it could be used widely in its products.

“We very much look forward to working with the Symphony team in the continued development of this process so as to maximise the benefit to most if not all our packaging for our environmentally responsible customers,” ​he said.

Major step​

Michael Laurier, CEO of Symphony Environmental Technologies, said: “This is also a major step forward for Symphony and the rigid plastics industry and shows the world, by example, that there are solutions available to improve the environmental aspect of rigid plastic packaging.”​

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The oxo-biodegradation industry says its plastics self-destruct or biodegrade when they are exposed to UV irradiation or heat because substances such as cobalt, nickel and zinc are added to conventional plastics at the time of manufacture. These reduce the molecular weight of the material over a pre-determined period and they fragment – allowing them to be consumed by bacteria and fungi.

But the technology has been the subject of some controversy with rival bioplastic body European Bioplastics dismissing claims from the OB sector as “misleading”​ and “free of substance”. ​However, such allegations have rejected by the OB industry who said its products are superior.