June 30, 2022 - BASF and Australian food packaging manufacturer Confoil have partnered to develop DualPakECO®, a paper food tray that is certified compostable and suitable for use in dual-function ovens. The paper tray is coated on the inside with BASF's ecovio® PS1606, a high-performance general-purpose bioplastic commercially produced by BASF. It is a renewable biodegradable plastic (70% content) made by blending BASF's ecoflex product with PLA, specifically for the production of coatings for paper or cardboard food packaging.
The tray was listed at the Australian Organics Recycling Association (AORA) 2022 Annual Conference in Glenelg, Australia.
The pallet is certified to Australian Standard AS4736-2006 and has food safety contact certification in accordance with international requirements. They can be used for ready-to-eat foods such as lasagna, curries and hot stir-fries, but also for cold or frozen foods in supermarkets, and even for catering and restaurant take-out.
Such trays can be organically recycled and they can be commercially composted with the organic waste collected in the organic waste bins. As a result, the new packaging solution handles the recycling of food scraps and organic matter contaminated with food packaging, which increases the diversion of food waste from landfills and incinerators.
Has sustainability advantages
This new certified compostable solution is an alternative to traditional PET packaging for ready-to-eat foods. Not only can these trays be heated in conventional ovens and microwaves, but they can also be refrigerated or frozen. They have excellent barrier properties to fats, liquids and odors, helping to maintain the freshness and flavor of foods. Composting tests have shown that under commercial composting conditions, DualPakECO® trays can be broken down into water, carbon dioxide and nutrient-rich compost within four to six weeks.
Bio-based polymers extend the life of paper
The paper discs are coated with ecovio® PS1606 in a single-layer extrusion process. Due to its excellent material migration and barrier properties, BASF biopolymers can also be used in food applications with recycled paper. The high content of renewable raw materials leads to a reduction in the carbon footprint of the material, which can save greenhouse gas emissions.
