Upfield Launches Plastic-Free, Recyclable Tub for Plant Butters and Spreads
Thomas Reiner
CEO at Berndt+Partner | 30+ Years of Leading in the Packaging industry | Shaping the Future of Packaging for Global Brands.
Upfield has introduced plastic-free, recyclable tubs for its brands like Flora, Rama, and Blue Band. Developed with Footprint, MCC, and Pagès Group, these durable, oil- and water-resistant tubs use compressed wet paper fibers and are sourced from PEFC-certified suppliers. Aiming for home compostability by 2025, this innovation supports Upfield's goal to reduce plastic use by 80% by 2030, potentially eliminating over 25,000 tons of plastic waste annually, meeting consumer demand for sustainable products and setting a new industry standard.
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Upfield, a global leader in plant-based foods, has made a stride in sustainable packaging by introducing the the plastic-free, recyclable tub for its plant butters and spreads. Upfield’s product portfolio includes well- known brands like Flora, Rama, and Blue Band.
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The Challenge of Creating Plastic-Free Paper Packaging for Food with Oil
Developing plastic-free packaging for oil-based foods like plant-based butters and spreads posed significant technical challenges. Plastic tubs provide the necessary durability, water resistance, and oil barrier properties. The key challenge is in ensuring that the new packaging can resist oil and moisture without compromising its strength and usability.
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Upfield’s Path to Innovation
Upfield addressed this challenge through a four-year collaboration with Footprint, MCC, and Pagès Group. The result is a tub made from compressed wet paper fibers, developed using Footprint’s material sciences technology. This material is designed to be waterproof, oil-proof, and recyclable..
The paper used in the tubs is sourced from PEFC-certified suppliers, ensuring sustainable and eco-friendly sourcing. The new packaging does not include a plastic liner, allowing it to be recycled along with regular paper and cardboard waste streams.
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Recycling and Compostability
Upfield's new paper tubs have received Conventional Plastic Free Certification and are recyclable in local paper waste streams. The company is also working towards achieving home compostability certification by 2025. This ensures that the packaging can either be recycled or composted, providing multiple end-of-life options that reduce environmental impact.
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Environmental Impact
The introduction of plastic-free tubs is a significant step towards reducing plastic waste worldwide. Upfield aims to replace up to two billion plastic tubs by 2030, which is expected to eliminate over 25,000 tons of plastic waste annually. This initiative supports Upfield’s goal to reduce plastic usage across its portfolio by 80% by 2030, thereby decreasing pollution and the overall carbon footprint associated with single-use plastics.
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What’s next
As consumer demand for environmentally friendly products increases, Upfield's innovation meets these needs while encouraging more sustainable consumption patterns. This development is likely to drive further advancements in sustainable packaging within the industry.
The company plans to refine its packaging for greater compostability and introduce new sizes and formats, influencing other companies to adopt similar solutions and promoting the reductions in plastic reliance. This innovation meets growing consumer demand for environmentally friendly products and is expected to drive further advancements in sustainable packaging, providing substantial environmental benefits and setting a precedent for future innovations.
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Conclusion
Upfield is missing its initial goal of being plastic-free by 2025, making them similar to most other companies in this regard. However, it is important to maintain this goal, and the new packaging is a good step in that direction. Although there are still open questions, sustainability goals can only be achieved if we move forward and make adjustments along the way. If Upfield continues to lead the way, they will gain momentum and be able to solve the challenges that lie ahead. The combination of pursuing a goal and making pragmatic adjustments propels one forward
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DIRECTEUR GENERAL chez FIRPLAST
3 个月De quoi parlez vous lorsque vous indiquez "certification conventionnelle sans plastique" ? A ma connaissance il n'existe pas de "norme" ni de règlement qui permet de faire valider son produit comme étant sans plastique au sens de la loi SUP
Thomas Reiner absolutely correct, paperization is a trend for a couple of years now and developments of new, non-plastic or ultry-thin plastic coatings and barriers will go on quickly. We will have some interesting speakers and solutions at our SOLPACK 5.0 conference in cooperation with FACHPACK pavillion of alternative packaging solutions the 25th September in hall 3-362. Would be glad to meet you there. Tickets are available by writing to [email protected] - and the next days our July newsletter will cover this topic of fiber-based packaging, too.
The Packaging Expert
4 个月Molded Fiber Products will be for sure one of the game changer during the upcoming 5 years period.