In the United Kingdom, Jem Packaging has launched biodegradable food packaging, trade-named Just Earth Materials, after six years of development. The line includes water-resistant films that biodegrade in 8–14 weeks and biodegradable and recyclable cartons.
Bill Page, Jem Packaging managing director, tells Packaging News that supermarkets are already trialing Just Earth Materials.
“Our food pack with raw meat (sausages) has achieved an 11-day shelf life migration tests,” he says. “The sandwich pack has achieved a 3.5–4-day shelf life. Successful tests have also been carried out on frozen products including fish at -40˚ with no moisture ingression through the packaging materials.”
He adds that the packaging idiot-proof. “All the responsibility has been removed from the end user, they can bin it in any bin and feel that they have contributed in reducing the impact of plastic on the environment.”