ThermaFresh : La glacière éco-responsable en carton recyclé et recyclable

La nouvelle glacière de carton est désormais offerte aux consommateurs par l'intermédiaire de la Boutique Cascades. Dérivé des produits ThermaFresh^MC utilisés pour la conservation et la distribution commerciale de poissons frais, ce modèle est spécialement conçu pour les activités estivales en plein air. La glacière présente une solution de rechange écologique aux glacières à usages limités non recyclables, puisqu'elle est composée à 70% de fibres recyclées en plus d'être recyclable.

La coquille extérieure de la glacière est entièrement faite de carton NorShield^®certifié FSC^®. Hydrofuge, elle est résistante aux intempéries. La partie interne isolante est constituée de carton nid d'abeilles recouvert d'un papier métallisé qui agit comme barrière thermique. La glacière portable est aussi performante que les glacières à usages limités traditionnelles.

Ce premier modèle plein air est parfaitement adapté aux activités extérieures telles que le camping, la plage et les pique-niques. Il est facile d'y ranger breuvages et nourriture. Pliable et dépliable, elle facilite le rangement entre les utilisations.

Cette nouveauté cadre parfaitement avec les valeurs de Cascades et son offre de produits novateurs à faible empreinte écologique fabriqués à partir de matières recyclées et recyclables.

Source : Boutique Cascades

Recycled Cardboard and Food Safety: A Functional Barrier to the Rescue!

I share with you my paper published in the last issue of The Cascadeur, The Cascades Quartely Employees journal.

A recent Swiss study has shown that the recycled cardboard used to make cereal boxes could harm the health of consumers.

Migration of Mineral Oils

Swiss researchers from the Food Safety Laboratory in Zurich discovered that the recycled paper used to make cardboard boxes contained mineral oils that could seep through the packaging into the food. According to the study published in Packaging and Technology Science, pasta and rice packaging could run the same risk.

It seems that the mineral oils actually come from newsprint and other printed materials that are used as raw materials. According to toxicologists, a persistent inflammation of certain internal organs could occur. In addition, exposure to mineral oils increases the risk of cancer.

Cereal manufacturers have already started to make changes to their product packaging. The British Jordans Group thus made the radical decision to get rid of all recycled cardboard in its packaging. Kellogg’s and Weetabix are trying instead to limit the mineral oil levels by making the cardboard from other materials. The Swiss food giant Nestlé believes that the type of fibres selected will reduce the level of mineral oils in its packaging.

What could prevent this migration?

Concerned with this risk haunting the agrifood industry, the European Confederation of the Pulp, Paper and Cardboard Industry is considering measures to implement. All possible solutions, however, raise questions:

1. Using a barrier bag against mineral oils. However, the right barrier must be found to reduce or prevent migration.
2. Using more virgin fibres. > Dilution is not a solution; migration may still occur.
3. Improving sorting and ensuring that no newsprint is present in the cardboard used for food packaging. > This option could considerably reduce the risks of migration. However, it places certain practical constraints on sorting and collection.
4. Replacing the inks used for printing newspapers. > This option would solve the problem right at the source. However, it is highly unlikely in an industry that is already weakened by competition with electronic and other digital media.

Moreover, all these proposals mean cost increases for cardboard and/or major changes to processes.

Functional Barrier: Security and Durability

At SPG (Cascades Specialty Products Group), four plants are specialized in applying the functional barriers on cardboard. Our Conversion, Tacoma and Birmingham plants apply different polymers/resins on paper (extrusion coating/lamination) and our Converdis plant uses water-based coatings.

Extrusion coating and water-based coating seem to be the most promising options. However, the challenges are still considerable, since we have to develop an innovative functional barrier that would prevent migration of mineral oils.

This barrier would have two benefits in that it would ensure food safety and eco-friendly packaging. This barrier would not only stop the migration of mineral oils, but would also protect the product during transportation, thus preventing any cross-contamination.

Carton recyclé et sécurité alimentaire : une barrière fonctionnelle à la rescousse!

Ci-dessous, mon article publié dans le dernier numéro du journal interne de Cascades : Le Cascadeur.

Une récente étude suisse vient de révéler que le carton recyclé utilisé pour fabriquer les boîtes de céréales pouvait représenter un risque pour la santé des consommateurs.

Migration des huiles minérales

Des chercheurs suisses du Food safety laboratory de Zurich ont découvert que le papier recyclé utilisé pour fabriquer des boîtes en carton contenait des huiles minérales, capables de traverser l'emballage et de se diffuser dans la nourriture. Selon l'étude publiée dans la revue Packaging and Technology Science, les pâtes et le riz pourraient présenter le même risque. 

Les huiles minérales proviendraient en fait de l'encre des journaux et autres matériaux imprimés qui sont utilisés comme matière première. Pour les  toxicologues, une inflammation persistante de certains organes internes pourrait survenir. D'autre part, l’exposition aux huiles minérales accroit les risques de cancer.

Les fabricants de céréales auraient déjà commencé à modifier l'emballage de leurs produits. Ainsi, Le groupe anglais Jordans a pris la décision radicale de supprimer tout carton recyclé de ses emballages. Les entreprises Kellogg's et Weetabix tentent plutôt de limiter les taux d'huiles minérales en fabricant le carton à partir d'autres matériaux. Le géant suisse de l'alimentaire Nestlé estime que la sélection des fibres permet de réduire le niveau d'huiles minérales dans ses emballages.

Quelles solutions pour empêcher cette migration?

Interpellée par ce risque qui hante l’industrie agro-alimentaire, la Confédération Européenne de l'Industrie des pates, papiers et cartons (CEPI) réfléchit aux mesures qui pourraient être mise en place. Toutes les pistes envisagées suscitent cependant des interrogations :

1. Utiliser un sac barrière aux huiles minérales. Toutefois, il faut trouver la bonne barrière qui permet de réduire ou prévenir la migration.
2. Incorporer plus de fibre vierge. La dilution n’est pas une solution, il y aura toujours un risque de migration.
3. Améliorer le tri et éviter que le papier journal se retrouve dans du carton dédié à l’emballage alimentaire. Cette option pourrait réduire grandement les risques de migration toutefois des contraintes pratiques au niveau du tri et de la collecte se posent.
4. Changer les encres utilisées pour imprimer les journaux. Cette option réglera le problème à la source, cependant, elle est peu probable dans une industrie déjà fortement fragilisée par  concurrence des médias et supports électroniques.

De plus, toutes ces propositions impliquent des augmentations de coût du carton ou/et des changements majeurs au niveau des procédés.

Barrière fonctionnelle : sécurité et durabilité

Au sein du groupe GPS, quatre usines sont spécialisées dans l’application de barrières fonctionnelles sur du carton. Trois usines (Conversion, Tacoma et Birmingham) appliquent différentes résines/polymères sur du papier (extrusion Coating/lamination) et une usine (Converdis) utilise la technologie de couchage à base d’eau (water-based coatings).

Le couchage par extrusion autant que le couchage à base d’eau peut se révéler être une option des plus prometteuses, néanmoins les défis restent de taille. Il faut développer une barrière fonctionnelle innovante qui permette de stopper la migration des huiles minérales.

Une telle barrière présente le double avantage de garantir la sécurité alimentaire et d’offrir un emballage éco-responsable. Cette barrière va non seulement stopper la migration des huiles minérales, mais aussi protéger le produit lors du transport, évitant des contaminations croisées (cross-contamination).

Vous trouvez ici la conférence intitulée : Emballage papier : flexible, pratique et éco-responsable, que j’ai donnée dans le cadre de la deuxième édition du colloque sur l’éco-responsabilité organisé par l’Institut des communications graphiques du Québec (ICGQ). J’ai étalé les diverses solutions proposées par Cascades pour compenser les défaillances du papier en termes de propriétés barrières et faire de l’emballage papier une véritable alternative viable et durable.

Global biopolymers market expected to grow to 2.4 billion lb by 2016

The global market for biodegradable polymers will amount to an estimated 932 million pounds in 2011 and is expected to increase to more than 2.5 billion pounds in 2016, for a five-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 22%. That’s according to a new technical market research report, “Biodegradable Polymers” (report #PLS025D), from BCC Research.

According to the report, the largest segment of the market, packaging, is expected to reach nearly 1.7 billion pounds in 2016. The market in 2011 is estimated at 656 million pounds, making the five-year CAGR 20.5%. The second-largest segment, made up of fibers/fabrics, is expected to increase in volume from an estimated 134 million pounds in 2011 to 435 million pounds in 2016, for a five-year CAGR of 26.6%. The food service segment is estimated to be 25 million pounds in 2011 and will increase to 40 million pounds in 2016 at a CAGR of 9.9%. Other markets expected to experience growth include agriculture, automotive, medical, and electronic/electrical.

Read more…

Los Angeles Expands Recycling to Food and Drink Cartons

Juice boxes and milk cartons, the bane of some recycling programs, can be chucked straight into household recycling bins in Los Angeles under an expanded program the city created with help from the Carton Council industry group.

The group of carton manufacturers works with recycling companies, cities and paper mills to promote recycling programs for liquid food and beverage containers, the technology that makes it possible, and end markets for the material. In Los Angeles, the group worked with the city and the companies that provide curbside residential recycling services so that cartons for refrigerated and shelf-stable products like soup, broth, wine, soy milk, milk and juice can go into the blue collection bins instead of the trash.

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iScoopy Pal™: a Functional and Stylish Paperboard Dog Poop Bag

iScoopy Pal™ , First commercially available disposable paperboard poop bag with a pre-formed "U" shape design, customized for the human hand, can effectively scoop dog poop using a single scooping motion.

Packaging Innovation: Bag in Box for Automotive Fluids

Scholle Packaging’s bag-in-box system for automotive chemicals and fluids allows industry suppliers to satisfy their customers’ needs with an efficient, environmentally conscious package. Each bag-in-box packaging system removes 24 one-liter bottles from the waste stream and features superior product evacuation, saving suppliers money and damage to our environment upon disposal into landfills. Overall, petroleum-based resin usage in the packaging is reduced by nearly 90 percent compared to rigid one-liter bottles, reducing impacts to our environment through the manufacture of the packaging system. During shipping, greenhouse gas emissions are overall lower than the incumbent packaging due to more-efficient cube utilization on trucks, in warehouses and at the end-user. The outer carton of the packaging system is also fully recyclable.

Winner in the 2011 AmeriStar

Winner in the 23rd DuPont Awards for Packaging Innovation

L’oxo-biodégradable séduit…l’Afrique

Pendant que les sacs oxo-dégradables sont en perte de vitesse en Europe et aux États-Unis, le marché s’emballe en Afrique.

De nombreux pays interdisent désormais les conditionnements non biodégradables, un business estimé à 4 milliards d’euros sur le continent. Entre les sociétés proposant des alternatives, la compétition est lancée. Lire l'article sur Jeuneafrique.com : Sacs en plastique : le marché s'emballe

Mais n’ont-t-ils pas succombé aux fausses promesses des oxo-dégradables? Voir ici
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La seule vraie solution, c'est le sac réutilisable et durable. Pourquoi pas un retour à beau sens d’antan comme les couffins en feuille de palmier ou de cocotier.

Vous pouvez consulter ici le dossier sur les plastiques oxo-dégradables

European Union : Compostable does not mean biodegradable

Packaging advertised as being biodegradable is misleading for consumers if it does not decompose in the natural environment, the European Union has claimed.

The EU’s ongoing consultation on reducing plastic carrier bag says that rules need to be put in place to make a “clear distinction” between packs that biodegrade in the natural environment and those that need to go to industrial composting facilities.

It also suggests that some packs are claiming to conform to existing rules on biodegradability when in fact they do not.

Read more…

Oil Prices Force Manufacturers To Switch From Plastic To Cardboard Packaging

According to an article recently published in the New York Times, high oil prices have manufacturers and big retailers reconsidering the use of so much plastic, and some are aggressively looking for cheaper substitutes.

Target has removed the plastic lids from its Archer Farms yogurts, has redesigned packages for some light bulbs to eliminate plastic, and is selling socks held together by paper bands rather than in plastic bags.

Wal-Mart Stores, which has pledged to reduce its packaging by 5 percent between 2008 and 2013, has pushed suppliers to concentrate laundry detergent so it can be sold in smaller containers, and has made round hydrogen peroxide bottles into square ones to cut down on plastic use.

At Home Depot, Husky tools are going from clamshell to paperboard packaging, and EcoSmart LED bulbs are about to be sold in a corrugated box, rather than a larger plastic case.

Other firms, such as MeadWestvaco, are working on alternatives to still prevent theft, but use less plastic. Its Natralock product reduces plastic by 60 percent on average and is 30 percent lighter, cutting down transportation and fuel costs

Read More at New York Times

Bioplastics News: Greenhouse Gases in Landfills, Olympics 2011, Number Seven

Study Finds Biodegradable Products Release Potent Greenhouse Gases in Landfills

Research from North Carolina State University shows that so-called biodegradable products are likely doing more harm than good in landfills, because they are releasing a powerful greenhouse gas as they break down.

“Biodegradable materials, such as disposable cups and utensils, are broken down in landfills by microorganisms that then produce methane,” says Dr. Morton Barlaz, co-author of a paper describing the research and professor and head of NC State’s Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering. “Methane can be a valuable energy source when captured, but is a potent greenhouse gas when released into the atmosphere.”

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Bioplastics at Olympics 2012

UK's National Centre for Biorenewable Energy, Fuels and Materials (NNFCC) noted that compostable plastics will be widely used next year at the London 2012 Olympic Games. The NNFCC and British Printing Industries Federation have been working with the London Organizing Committee for the Olympic games to ensure compostable food packaging is part of the event.

The parties involved have committed to sending zero waste direct to landfill during the Games, with a minimum of 70% to be reused, recycled or composted. Bioplastics will be used in fast-food wrappers, sandwich boxes and drink cartons, the NNFCC said.

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Is the Bioplastic Cup Half Full or Half Empty?

You’re standing in front of three bins – one for compost, one for recycling and one for landfill – holding an empty container called a “PlantBottle” and a clear plastic cup embossed with the recycling triangle and the number seven. Now what?

Your instinct might be to put that “PlantBottle” in the compost bin, and to put the clear plastic cup in the recycling bin. But in this case, you’d be wrong on both counts.

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