COMMERCE, Calif., July 23,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Many food manufacturers,
processors, retailers, and foodservice operators are
rightfully concerned about plans to ban the most-used type of clear
overwrap film for meat, poultry, seafood and produce in food retail
today.
it is possible to find a non-PVC overwrap
that works great on high-speed or in-store equipment
Recent reporting on phthalates sometimes included in PVC
additives has sparked more interest in the popular overwrap film.
The FDA recently found most phthalates are no longer used, and
denied petitions to ban those that remain food-contact
authorized.
In California this May,
however, the State Assembly passed its bill (AB 2761) for the
Reducing Toxics in Packaging Act, which includes a ban on the
manufacture, sale or distribution of PVC packaging beginning
January 2026. Though the reasons for
California's ban are unclear,
they're not the first to target PVC for elimination and aren't
likely to be the last. So far in 2024, three other states have
introduced bills to restrict PVC in packaging, including
New Hampshire, New Jersey and Vermont.
"We know finding a solution can take time, but it is possible to
find a non-PVC overwrap that works great on high-speed or in-store
equipment" said Director of Overwrap Films at LK®
Packaging Jerry Polsinelli. "We've
followed closely how markets around the world have tried to address
the same challenge and then built a non-PVC solution of our
own."
Already looking for non-PVC alternatives, more than 100 brands,
like Target and Walmart, have signed the U.S. Plastics Pact to
include eliminating the use of PVC because it is not easily
reusable, recyclable, or compostable. The leading alternative to
PVC overwrap is recyclable, and has even shown to boost the shelf
life of certain foods.
"We believe there is growing potential for these bans to
negatively impact the supply chain, and therefore slow productivity
for everyone from packers to merchandisers," said LK's VP of Food
Packaging Matt Banghart. "We can help keep their operations
efficient."
Developers at LK Packaging have spent the last several years
perfecting a polyethylene blend formulation (POF) called
PreservaWrap™, which may be the only overwrap film on the market to
have achieved fully recyclable prequalification status through the
Sustainable Packaging Coalition's How2Recycle®
certification program.
Associate Professor of Packaging Science for Clemson University Dr. Andrew Hurley recently expressed delight with
the option. "I'm glad to see a PE, store-drop-off option in this
sector!" he said. "As packaging regulations rapidly evolve, savvy
brands prioritize selecting recyclable materials and clearly
defining end-of-life plans for all product components, while many
others scramble to react."
LK claims to make switching from PVC easy, even for those having
to scramble. PreservaWrap is not only recyclable, but "drop-in
ready," according to Processor Specialist Jay Gibson, "with no new procedures, no
changeover to more expensive equipment or packaging formats, all
helping to maintain the competitive cost-per-package that overwrap
film continues to offer processors and retailers."
The LK team shared that a few major retailers in the know have
already made the switch to their PreservaWrap brand of polyethylene
film, quite successfully on high-speed processing equipment, and
are ready to take on the coming tidal wave of demand for
non-PVC.
Media Contact:
Glen Adamik, g.adamik@LKpkg.com
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SOURCE LK Packaging