Biosphere Industries and Sealed Air Honored with DuPont Award for Packaging
Renew-a-Pak™ Biodegradable Trays Recognized For Enhanced Performance, Resource and Energy Optimization, and Effective Recovery
CARPINTERIA, CALIF. and ELMWOOD PARK, N.J., March 11, 2009 – Recognized for the possible reinvention of retail baking practices and simplification of the supply chain with considerable waste reduction, Biosphere Industries® and Sealed Air announced that the Renew-a-Pak™ compostable rigid packaging was a winner in this year’s DuPont Awards Competition, which honors innovation in packaging.
One of the first products of its kind manufactured mostly from yearly renewable starch materials, such as tapioca, Renew-a-Pak packaging was recognized by the judges for enhanced performance, resource and energy optimization, and effective recovery.
Sponsored by DuPont Packaging, the competition honors innovation in food processing and packaging across the supply chain - from technology and processes to equipment and converters to the end-use packagers. Earlier this year, Renew-a-Pak packaging was honored with this year’s 3M Sustainable Packaging Award, part of the Institute of Packaging Professional’s Ameristar competition.
The Renew-a-Pak products, which include muffin, pie and bread pans and tart/dessert trays in addition to pizza trays, are naturally biodegradable in 40 days or less in the presence of moisture or within 10 days or less in an industrial compost environment. The products also can be disposed of in the paper recycling stream if composting is not an available option.
But what makes the Renew-a-Pak products truly sustainable are the performance and convenience attributes. The use of Renew-a-Pak rigid packaging has been proven to improve efficiency of operations and produce labor savings:
- Items can be cooked, packaged, merchandized, served and reheated in the same pack
- Dual ovenable – consumers can reheat the package in microwave or oven
- Eliminates cost of water and energy used to wash dishes and trays
“We are honored to be a winner in this year’s DuPont Awards Competition. It demonstrates that good sustainable practices not only benefit the environment, but can help customers save money and improve operating efficiencies,” said Elie Helou, Chief Executive Officer of Biosphere® Industries LLC.
“We are committed to innovative new products that are not only made from renewable resources but that also perform,” added Mary Coventry, Vice President, Sealed Air. “Our venture with Biosphere is one of the ways we continue to meet the packaging needs of today while ensuring we meet the needs of tomorrow.”
Biosphere and Sealed Air submitted a bread package that demonstrated its efforts with Whole Foods Market® as part of its awards entry. The three companies are working together to provide Whole Foods Market’s customers a package that is environmentally friendly and also provides them with cost savings in the process. In addition to bread pans, Whole Foods Market is evaluating Renew-a-Pak pie pans.
About Biosphere
Biosphere Industries was founded in 2002 to develop an earth friendly technology for single use disposable rigid packaging systems. In 2006, Biosphere Industries LLC joined forces with Sealed Air Corporation, a leading global manufacturer of food and protective packaging materials and systems. For more information about Biosphere Industries, please visit the Company’s web site at www.biosphereindustries.com.
About Sealed Air
Sealed Air is a leading global innovator and manufacturer of a wide range of packaging and performance-based materials and equipment systems that serve an array of food, industrial, medical, and consumer applications. Operating in 52 countries, Sealed Air's international reach generated revenue of $4.8 billion in 2008. With widely recognized brands such as Bubble Wrap® cushioning, Jiffy® protective mailers, Instapak® foam-in-place systems and Cryovac® packaging technology, Sealed Air continues to identify new trends, foster new markets, and deliver innovative solutions to its customers. For more information about Sealed Air, please visit the Company's web site at www.sealedair.com.
Whole Foods Market® is a registered trademark of Whole Foods Market IP, L.P.
