Page 36 - Plastics News June - 2020

New additive claims to prevent bacteria DS Smith and Multivac partner to produce
proliferation on plastic surfaces MAP plastic alternative

U K-based consumer packaging specialist DS Smith
P olymer compounding specialist Benvic's new partnered to create modified atmosphere packaging
and packaging service provider Multivac have
additive, which claims to be able to prevent
bacteria proliferation on any kind of plastic surface, (MAP) solution ECO Bowl.ECO Bowl is a sustainable
could offer advantages during the Covid-19 pandemic. alternative to plastic packaging for frozen, chilled,
Benvic's biopolymer range, Plantura, consists of an and ambient food, according to the DS Smith website.
extensive range of PLA compounds for compostable and It consists of a corrugated cardboard tray and an easily
durable use. Benvic currently supplies many filament removable plastic skin and lid film. The product is
producers and has boosted its support to these claimed to reduce plastic by 85%, with the tray using
companies during the Covid-19 pandemic.
renewable fibres based on 100% recycled materials
Additive Manufacturing (AM) has proven to be an and can be recycled again, thus promoting a circular
excellent way to make medical products instantly, and economy. The product was developed by DS Smith and
in a decentralised manner. AM can be undertaken using designed to run on Multivac's thermoforming
various polymer grades, however, the biopolymer PLA is packaging machinery. ECO Bowl was tested by German
the most commonly used in practice and is very well meat alternative company Amidori at the end of 2019.
adapted to manufacturing from smaller machines. The
MAP extends the shelf life of fresh food products. It
Benvic Plantura range includes both rigid and soft does this by using technology to substitute the
materials that can be used by any filament maker or by atmosphere inside packaged food with other gases,
any extruder. Additionally, Benvic has developed
technology that allows these polymer compounds to making it so that the food is not subjected to high
benefit from bacteriostatic properties. Benvic's new respiration. DS Smith claims that the film used in the
additive claims to be able to prevent bacteria ECO Bowl, while being environmentally-friendly,
proliferation on any kind of plastic surface, particularly provides an excellent barrier that “guarantees equal
for those which are expected to be in contact with body shelf life when compared with conventional MAP
skin. The bacteriostatic polymer has been tested packaging for fresh food, or even improve it.”DS Smith
according to the international quality standards, sales, marketing, and innovation director of packaging
ISO22196 and ISO 846, and can also be provided as Marc Chiron said: “We're thrilled to see the success
masterbatch or compound for thermoplastic polymers. Amidori is having with ECO Bowl and this is a great
Camilla Bortolon, account manager for the Plantura example of the benefits that customers can reap when
product range, commented: “We have developed this they choose to implement this new generation of
new material with our filament partner, and within quite packaging innovations into their supply chains.“The
a short time for an end-customer in Italy who is print
innovation behind ECO Bowl demonstrates the strides
protecting masks. “Such masks are customised in line DS Smith is taking to encourage greater sustainability
with the user morphology which is only made possible
via the 3D printing process. Our new materials can make within the retail landscape, and through our
these masks reusable simply by changing the filter. In partnership with Multivac, we are committed to
this way we can optimise resources in order to fight the driving the circular economy at greater scale.
virus.”

June 2020 36 Plastics News