Packaging

Going green (as we have said before) is a common trend that is becoming more and more popular. From the way that things are made to their subsequent transportation, every little part counts. One company getting involved in eco-friendly snack packaging is Lactalis American Group. Lactalis American Group is the maker of Sorrento, President and other cheeses.

One of their brands, Precious cheese has a product called Precious Stickster snacks. This is their newest package to move to plant based packaging. The new packaging material was developed by Clear Lam Packaging Inc. using plant-based bioplastics derived from Natureworks Ingeopolylactic acid (PLA) along with ingredients that enhance performance.

According to Clear Lam Packaging, this new material, which is 50% plant-based, generates up to 35.2% fewer greenhouse gases and uses up to 36.8% less energy than the conventional petroleum-based materials it replaces. Lactalis made the packaging change as part of its corporate sustainability commitment. (source) Clear Lam produces the proprietary bio-based layer used in the film from pellets and additives, then that film is shipped to a Lactalis production facility where its Precious Sticksters products are packaged on horizontal form/fill/seal machines.

Early reports show the finished bags have a lower carbon footprint without losing production efficiencies or impacting product performance. High-speed sealing was a critical requirement.