Flexible Packaging Is Going Green With Biodegradable Solutions

By Isaac Fletcher, contributing writer, Food Online

Green packaging has been receiving a lot of attention recently, and with the development of biodegradable films and laminates, Israel-based TIPA has created a sustainable solution for flexible packaging formats.

As processed and packaged foods remain a popular and convenient option for consumers around the globe, food packaging has become the industry’s top contributor to waste. In order to combat this worsening situation, TIPA, an Israel-based company focused on creating sustainable packaging, has developed a food packaging solution that is 100 percent biodegradable and compostable. The primary format that the company has focused its efforts on is flexible packaging, a sector that is currently worth an estimated $65 billion and is demonstrating strong, continued growth.

TIPA, founded in 2010, has worked toward creating sustainable products for the last half-decade, and its creation of food packaging that is completely eco-friendly is a significant step toward reducing waste. Since its inception, the company has developed films, compounds, and laminates that degrade in only 180 days and its latest biodegradable packaging development is set to hit the market later this year.

Green and sustainable packaging has recently become much more mainstream, and numerous companies are embracing eco-friendly packaging as part of the solution to waste reduction. Many consumers expect more from food and beverage manufacturers than just the products they love, and companies that demonstrate an interest and investment in environmental responsibility are gaining a competitive edge in the market. In a recent global study, nearly 90 percent of consumers say they prefer to buy products that have packaging they can recycle.

It is clear that the demand for sustainable packaging is alive and well, but consumers also want packaging that serves it intended purposes. A recyclable package is not worth much if it does not protect and preserve food while maintaining the aesthetic appeal of other packaging options. TIPA’s biodegradable packaging affords transparency, flexibility, and barrier properties, all of which are key components of successful flexible packaging.

For many food and beverage manufacturers, the higher price of green packaging is a major deterrent in pursuing sustainable solutions. For larger companies, such as Coca-Cola with its recent unveiling of the PlantBottle, sustainable packaging is often worth the higher price tag. However, smaller businesses still struggle to make green packaging a realistic option. As research and development efforts continue throughout the industry, the prices of sustainable packaging solutions are expected to fall.