Plastic Packaging

Understanding the risks posed by nonintentionally added substances (NIAS) in recycled polyolefin materials used as food contact materials (FCMs) in packaging is necessary to safeguard public and environmental health, according to a recently published study.

Researchers at Iowa State University recently highlighted the necessity of monitoring NIAS contaminants and aligning them with regulations to limit the use of potentially harmful additives in plastics.

The European Commission (EC) released a preliminary regulation on February 9, 2024, proposing the prohibition of bisphenol-A (BPA) in the production of food-contact plastics, varnishes, coatings, printing inks, adhesives, ion-exchange resins, and rubber. This action stems from the European Food Safety Authority’s (EFSA) reassessment of scientific evidence on BPA, which resulted in establishing a new acceptable daily intake (ADI) for BPA at 0.2 nanograms per kilogram of body weight (bw) per day, published in April 2023.

ProActive Recyclable FibreSculpt is suitable for various products, including chilled cooked meats, cold cuts, sliced cheese and fish.

According to the company, FibreSculpt offers a wide range of sustainability benefits. It is lightweight, reducing packaging compared to alternatives like thermoformed materials. Engineered to maintain thermoforming line speed, it increases yield per roll, enhancing transportation efficiency and reducing changeover times on the filling line.

South Korea-based SK chemicals aims to enter the medical packaging market by unveiling a circular recycling solution at the upcoming Medical Design & Manufacturing West 2024 (MD&M) exhibition, held in Anaheim, USA from the 6th to the 8th of this month.

In a strategic move to address the increasing demand for recycled plastics in the medical device industry, SK chemicals plans to further solidify its longstanding partnership with Pacur, LLC, a leading US custom sheet extruder, with a primary focus on sustainable solutions for medical device packaging.