Page 40 - Plastics News March 2021

produCt news

JM Packaging and FEI Foods Real Water introduces bottle

launch recyclable stand-up pouch cap to filter microplastics

K-based flexible packaging supplier JM Packaging orea-based drinks company Real Water has
U(JMP) has partnered with microwaveable food Kintroduced a new bottle cap design to filter harmful
manufacturer FEI Foods to launch a sustainable stand- microplastics from products. The new solution helps
up pouch. The companies have produced an advanced to reduce synthetic polymer contamination, a health
mono-material, which is recyclable and retortable. It also concern that has troubled experts since it was initially
has the same size, shape and function as a conventional researched in 2019.Designed to fit almost all plastic
stand-up pouch. Claimed to be the first in the industry, the bottles, Real Water’s new cap can filter plastic particles
up to 0.005mm in size and can purify approximately
120l of water during its lifespan.Real Water owner
Kwon Hyeok Jae said: “It took more than ten months to
develop the product. I kept repeating the experiments
by changing the shape and size of the filter frame.
“I designed the prototype with a 3D printer after a
process of trial and error. Our company’s motto is
‘Make water that can be drunk with real peace of
mind’. “The issue of microplastics in bottled water is
more serious overseas than in Korea. As the demand is
high, we are preparing to enter the overseas market in
earnest.” The bottle cap design has been certified by
the Korea Testing and Research Institute as containing
ready-to-heat product can be recycled where possible. no hazardous substances and has also been certified
JMP managing director Jason McGill said: “Throughout this as BPA-free. A 2018 study by the State University of
project, we have shown our commitment to the circular New York found that tiny plastic pieces exist in more
economy, focusing on optimising flexible packaging to than 90% of samples collected from the most popular
minimise the impact on the environment whilst offering bottled water brands. The study, which used 259 bottles
convenience and food safety to the consumer. “We’re of packaged drinking water from 11 brands collected
proud to bring the first mono–material, recycle-ready, from nine countries,
ready–to–heat pouch to the market and thank our team showed that a person
and our partners at FEI Foods for their support in making can consume 2,000
this happen.” FEI and JMP began exploring ways to microplastics on
develop a recycle-ready mono-material pouch in early average, equivalent
2019. The product is currently available in major UK and to around five grams
European supermarkets. FEI Foods managing director of plastic per week.
Simon Lewis said: “24 months of diligent testing of this Each litre of water
new material have culminated in this launch. We are used in the study
delighted and proud to be the first to market with this had an average
solution. “As a predominantly private label manufacturer, of 325 pieces of
this is an outstanding achievement for our business, and microplastic, including polypropylene, nylon, and
the major retailers that we work with now have a more polyethylene terephthalate. Of all the bottles tested,
sustainable offering for their customers.” The pouch size, only 17 were found to contain no plastic. Real Water's
shape and function remain the same as current packs and filter cap can filter around 120 litres of water. If, on
continues to provide attributes required by customers average, a person drinks two litres of water a day, the
such as food-safety, ease of use and convenience, whilst cap will last for two months. However, it should be
providing ground-breaking environmental benefits. cleaned by rinsing it under running water.

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