Packaging sector making amends to the environment

The new fad of 2008 seems to be going green, as companies around the world struggle to prove their worth in the Save the Earth initiative. The packaging industry has often been vilified in the whole venture, green activists citing excessive use of polythene and plastic to be one of the earth’s agents of disaster.

However, certain breakthrough energy efficient technologies in the industry may help it chip in on the ‘green’ wave as well. Tetra Pak is one of the leading packaging agents in the global market, and boasts of global clients such as Nestle, Unilever, Del Monte, Nutricia and Danone among others.

Tetra Pak specializing in processing and filling packaging material for beverages and liquid food products. Their clientele are along the lines of typical beverages like milk, juices, non-carbonated drinks, nectars and soy drinks. Country Head of Tetra Pak’s local branch, Dushantha Ranarajah, speaking to The Sunday Times FT, said that the breakthrough technology of “Aseptic packaging”, which was hailed by the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) to be the “most significant food science innovation of the last 50 years”, harbouring a place among frozen meals and the microwave oven , has helped TetraPak immensely.

The Aseptic process is a method of packaging which allows perishable products to be in containers, sans any preservatives or refrigeration for a period of one year. It prevents micro-organisms from entering the food stuff during or after packing. This in turn is carried out by packing sterile food- which has been subjected to a “flash” intense heating and rapid cooling process- into a sterile container within a controlled and hygienic environment.

This process substantially reduces the loss of energy and nutrients that is associated with the conventional methods of sterilization. According to Ranarajah, the main raw materials used for their packaging are sourced from abroad and are dependant on supply chain efficiencies.

“They are a combination of paper, polythene, and aluminum foil,” he said. The demand for packaging has been on the rise in the past few decades as consumers demand more of easy-to-use products that can be guzzled down on the way to work or some other routine of their hectic schedules. The demand for Aseptically packaged goods has been on the rise as well.

“On a worldwide level, Tetra Pak is committed to running its business in an environmentally sound and sustainable manner,” said Ranarajah, speaking of the firm’s initiatives into reducing its carbon footprint. “As part of that commitment, we take a long term and life cycle view, continually improve environmental performance, communicate openly with our stakeholders and report regularly on our performance.” The company recently re-vitalized its brand to encompass its new brand values of sustainability.