SABIC, a leading global chemical industry player, has collaborated with Estiko Packaging Solutions and Coldwater Prawns of Norway to introduce a highly sustainable packaging pouch for frozen prawns.

This pouch is produced using a multi-layer film by Estiko Packaging Solutions that incorporates a circular certified random polymer grade of SABIC® PP QRYSTAL.

The pouch also includes around 60% ocean-bound plastic (OBP) content, contributing to the recovery and reuse of OBP in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 14 for 'Life Below Water'. This innovative packaging solution is a testament to the partners' commitment to sustainability.

According to Abdullah Al-Otaibi, General Manager of Engineering Thermoplastics & Market Solutions for Petrochemicals at SABIC, the recovery of OBP waste that could otherwise pollute our waterways and oceans is a challenging task that requires cooperation with committed value chain partners.

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The successful collaboration with Estiko Packaging Solutions and Coldwater Prawns of Norway has led to the development of a frozen foods packaging pouch that leverages the sustainable benefits of SABIC's TRUCIRCLE™ programme.

This application, with its high OBP content, aids in reducing carbon footprints and supports the circularity of flexible packaging. The partners are proud to present yet another successful joint project that offers a practical solution to a global issue.

OBP refers to plastic waste that is either abandoned or inadequately managed post-consumer and is found on riverbanks and in rivers up to 50 km inland from seashores. In an advanced recycling process, this waste is converted into an alternative feedstock that SABIC uses to produce certified circular polymers. These polymers can then be reintroduced into the material stream, for example, for the production of high-quality flexible packaging products.

Estiko Packaging Solutions, a leading provider of sustainable packaging materials in Northern Europe and a cornerstone of the Estiko Group in Estonia, uses SABIC's TRUCIRCLE portfolio's SABIC PP QRYSTAL random polymer to create a multi-layer flexible film for pouches that are used in the packaging of frozen prawns at Coldwater Prawns of Norway.

According to Taavi Tikk, R&D Manager at Estiko Packaging Solutions, sustainability is a top priority for the company. They aim to maintain a livable environment for future generations and provide responsible packaging solutions that do not compromise quality, food safety, or convenience.

After conducting comprehensive trials on their existing film lines, they found that SABIC's random PP material with OBP was an ideal drop-in-replacement that met all the requirements of Coldwater Prawns of Norway AS. The material provided excellent puncture and tear resistance and high transparency for the clear part of the pouch that allows consumers to see the packaged prawns.

The sustainable packaging pouch is aligned with the sustainable harvesting practices of Coldwater Prawns of Norway. The company catches its cold water prawns from the deep waters of the Barents Sea, unlike farmed king prawns. The prawns are then cooked, peeled, and individually quick frozen (IQF) for packaging and sales. Due to their slow growth, they have a juicier texture and a more intense, sweeter flavour.

Hege Furnes, COO at Coldwater Prawns of Norway, emphasises their passion for prawns, purity, and the planet. Their motto is that 'it can't get pure enough' when it comes to the welfare of the planet. The new packaging pouch made from OBP aligns with their care for the ecosystem on which their business relies. The pouches help prevent abandoned plastic litter from polluting the sea and are fully recyclable in existing material recovery systems for flexible packaging. Furnes adds that by using OBP-based packaging, they are making an active contribution to sustainable practices.

The International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC) PLUS chain of custody certifies the circular solution used in the new packaging pouch. The material flow from OBP to each pouch is monitored following transparent and predefined rules.

Estiko Packaging Solutions can claim an equivalent amount of flexible film as certified circular for every tonne of certified circular polymer used. Coldwater Prawns of Norway AS can document the sustainability of the packaging for consumers by indicating the responsibly sourced packaging content on the pouches.

SABIC will unveil and showcase the new packaging pouch for Coldwater Prawns of Norway AS during Interpack, which will take place from May 4 to 10 in Düsseldorf, Germany. The product will be presented at Booth B21 in Hall 9.

SABIC's TRUCIRCLE portfolio and circular solutions services include certified circular polymers, which are an integral part of the company's offerings. Additionally, their range of circular solutions includes design for recyclability, mechanically recycled products, certified renewable polymers sourced from bio-based feedstock, and closed loop initiatives that facilitate the recycling of plastics into high-quality applications, thereby preventing the accumulation of valuable used plastics as waste.

If you would like to learn more about SABIC's TRUCIRCLE portfolio, please visit their website.

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Source: SABIC