Dairy Processing - September 2021 - 44

PACKAGING
to increase the actual amount of packaging that is recycled
in the end. They are also working to reduce the amount of
polyethylene they use in packaging and are add more postconsumer
fiber.
" How much post-consumer material can you put into a
package is another item dairy companies and consumers are
interested in, " Bain said.
Bain said one method of producing more sustainable
packaging materials is to reduce the amount of polyethylene
by using a dispersion-based coating. The coating provides
a moisture barrier next to the product. It helps maintain
the shelf life, and the coating disperses into water during
recycling. Still, it comes with its challenges.
" Because it's not anything like polyethylene, we kind of
have to re-learn the process, " Bain said.
In another innovation, Bain said they are using
a renewable coating derived from sugarcane-based
polyethylene. Oatly has launched a paperboard cup for some
of its frozen products using this packaging. The packaging,
called Sentinel, was launched through Stanpac's paperboard
supplier Evergreen Packaging, and is also manufactured
from renewable resources and paper derived from trees from
forests where responsible forest management practices are
used.
Niels Fogh Nielsen, product and concept manager for
ice cream solutions at Tetra Pak, said they have seen an
increase in demand for paper materials in packaging, and the
biggest challenge in developing this kind of packaging is the
robustness of the paper as it's two to three times as thick as
traditional materials.
Consumers consider
sustainability when
buying food
New research released by taste and nutrition
company Kerry, Tralee, Ireland, revealed that
consumers' expectations around sustainability
are evolving with a growing number demanding
increased sustainability benefits from their food
and beverage products.
The survey of over 14,000 consumers across
18 countries uncovered key consumer associations
with sustainability and is one of the largest
surveys of this type ever to be undertaken, according
to the company.
The research shows that 49% of consumers
are considering sustainability when buying food
and drink and that their understanding of the
issue is evolving from environmental and social
responsibility to including sustainable wellbeing
and sustainable nutrition.
Consumers, particularly those in more sustainability-mature
markets such as the United Kingdom,
Benelux and France are now considering
sustainability as something that directly impacts
them, and vice versa. Consumers are especially
interested in food waste reduction, personal
health and nutrition and clean label claims such
as 'locally sourced,' 'no artificial ingredients' and
'organic.'
The largest barrier to adopting sustainability
remains consumers' lack of understanding of
their personal impact on the planet.
" This research has unveiled some really surprising
results that have positioned sustainability
as a must-have rather than a differentiator
among consumers, " said Soumya Nair, insights
director from Kerry. " In addition, the different
expectations between consumer demographics
shows how consumers expect companies to
do more outside of issues such as sustainable
packaging, carbon emissions and water conservation.
These findings have major implications
for the food and drinks industry as we are clearly
at a significant and critical moment regarding
sustainable nutrition. By helping consumers
access more sustainable products, we can help
them eat healthier, with less waste and improve
local communities as a result. "
-Emily Park
44 SEP 2021 | DAIRYPROCESSING.COM
Talenti
http://www.DAIRYPROCESSING.COM
Dairy Processing - September 2021

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