Food Packagers Benefit From Polypropylene (PP) Breakthroughs From Dow

Product Development and Regulatory Approvals Demonstrate Support for Food Sector

NPE 2009, Chicago - June 22, 2009

The Dow Chemical Company (“Dow”) today announced regulatory compliance and product development breakthroughs for Polypropylene products ideally suited for use in injection molded and thermoformed food and beverage packaging applications.  Dow ethylene-propylene impact copolymers (ICPs) have been granted expanded Food Contact status by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), opening up opportunities for new resin developments targeted for food packaging producers needing the operational efficiencies enabled by higher-flow materials together with improved impact strength for cold temperature applications.

According to Debra Wilson, rigid packaging senior development specialist for Dow’s Basic Plastics business in North America, these products meet and comply with Food Contact Notification (FCN) guidelines for all food types and conditions of use. “By offering these products with this new regulatory classification, we are making it easier for customers to serve their own markets,” Wilson said.  “We anticipate that these new Polypropylene grades will fill a need and help generate competitive advantages for food packaging suppliers.”

The new impact copolymer (ICP) grades with FCN compliance status are:

  • DC7072.00 Developmental Polypropylene (1) (2)  - A new 80 MFR high impact resin for improved impact applications.
  • DC7054.00 Developmental Polypropylene(1) (2)  - A 7 MFR high impact resin previously used in pallets but now also appropriate for pails requiring Food Contact Compliance.

“Our history as a leader in plastic material research and development, and our experience in dealing with global regulatory issues related to food packaging compliance, helped us in gaining FCN compliance for these resin product designs,” Wilson added.
“By simplifying the process, we’re able to bring our customers a greater choice of materials for food applications that are right for them – right now.”

The Polypropylene product development breakthrough announced by Dow today is the creation of highly clarified INSPIRE™ Performance Polymers for use in thermoformed rigid packaging applications. The first commercially available grade is INSPIRE™ 222 Performance Polymer, a high clarity polypropylene grade especially well suited for applications requiring clarity and stiffness (such as disposable cold drink cups, or similar applications which require the clarity of glass desired by consumers without compromising stiffness, impact and top load properties). The product also offers the potential of lighter-weight packaging, a critical requirement for food and beverage packagers driving for more sustainable packaging solutions.

According to Terry Glass, rigid packaging application technology leader for Dow’s Basic Plastics business in North America,  “INSPIRE™ 222 Performance Polymer offers Dow customers the potential to achieve the “triple bottom line” of sustainability by not only meeting application needs, but also offering positive economic and environmental impact benefits.” 

For example, Dow tests have shown that clear 12 gram 16-ounce cold drink cups using INSPIRE™ 222 can match the performance of 16 gram PET cups(3).  This represents a 25 percent weight reduction and offers the potential for reduced consumer waste and reduced transport costs through the life-cycle of a cup. Comparisons produced using the Simplified Environmental Impacts Calculator (SEIC) – a tool developed for Dow by Allied Development Corporation to offer environmental analysis of package types(4) – have also shown that conversions from PET to PP result in a net reduction of total energy consumed (including stored energy) and greenhouse gas production of between 30 and 60 percent respectively (5).

 “Plastic is still one of the best options when it comes to effective food packaging that measures up against a wide variety of performance criteria, including shelf life, convenience, and display of contents,” concluded Glass. “Our INSPIRE™ 222 Performance Polymer and the new range of FCN compliant ICPs further support the benefits of plastics by offering converters and brand owners a greater choice for packaging designs and applications.”

More information on the SEIC tool and other examples of Dow’s efforts with supply chain logistics to improve the economic and sustainable benefits of plastic packaging are available at Developmental Support @ Dow (DS@D)(4). This password protected internet site is available to customers interested in assessing the environmental footprint for their own packaging needs.  For access to DS@D or to inquire about how to gain access to these capabilities, contact your Dow Sales or Technical Service representative.

Sources:

(1)   Developmental product of The Dow Chemical Company
(2)   If products are described as “experimental” or “developmental”: 1) product specifications may not be fully determined; 2) analysis of hazards and caution in handling and use are required; 3) there is greater potential for Dow to change specifications and/or discontinue production; and 4) although Dow may from time to time provide samples of such products, Dow is not obligated to supply or otherwise commercialize such products for any use or application whatsoever.
(3)   Dow testing. Complete protocols and results available upon request.
(4)   Not available to all customers. Ask your Dow sales representative about qualifications for participation.
(5)   Calculations made with this tool are based on customer's data entries. Accuracy of results obtained from the tool depends upon data entered by the user. Dow assumes no obligation or liability for its use.

 

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Michelle Kirchman
The Dow Chemical Company
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