FFP Packaging Solutions

News: Estergreen LD1AF - Sustainable, compostable, peelable and antimist lidding!

FFP Packaging Solutions of Northampton has supplied Avondale Foods in Northern Ireland with environmentally positive Estergreen LD1AF lidding film for Marks and Spencer’s Fruity Coleslaw. M&S has undertaken a number of developments recently with the aim of sourcing sustainable packaging materials, and Estergreen LD1AF is made from Polylactic Acid (PLA), a plastic material based on corn. PLA has the added benefit that it is compostable in an industrial composter.

PLA is a relatively new technology, and has been used in a number of ways to replace traditional petrochemical based polymers. FFP has taken the lidding application several steps further – FFP applies a coating to Estergreen LD1AF, providing a smooth peel seal from the pot (a Huhtamaki PLA item supplied by Howard Packaging), so consumers don’t have the messy and potentially dangerous task of cutting the film away with a knife or scissors. Estergreen LD1AF is also anti-mist, which improves the presentation of the product on-shelf.

In a further advance, Estergreen LD1AF can be used to provide enhanced shelf life for fresh cut produce. The respiration rate can be calculated based on variety and cut size of the produce and the permeability of the film adjusted to take account of this and to engineer a slow-down in the decay of the produce.

Estergreen LD1AF also heralds the introduction of a new brand from FFP. Any packaging material supplied by FFP under the “Estergreen” name will be sustainable, compostable or have other features that minimise its effect on the environment.

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