Earthcycle and Innovia Films are DuPont Award Winners

VANCOUVER, BC—Earthcycle Packaging and Innovia Films were the winners at the 20th annual DuPont Awards for Packaging Innovation, which recognized the Earthcycle™-Natureflex™ Organic Kiwi Package.

The announcement took place at DuPont headquarters in Wilmington, Delaware by DuPont Chairman and CEO Charles O. Holliday, Jr. Seven winners and three notable achievements were honored for innovative products and processes that demonstrated breakthroughs in sustainable packaging.

The Earthcycle™-Natureflex™ Organic Kiwi Pack is a new packaging approach using only renewable and certified compostable materials, contributing to responsible sourcing, clean production and effective recovery. This compostable produce pack consists of three materials—the Earthcycle tray, the Natureflex™ film and the certified home compostable label that together create a responsible alternative to traditional fresh produce packaging.

Earthcycle packaging is made from a renewable resource called palm fiber, a waste product discarded when the palm fruit is harvested throughout the year for its oil. The raw fiber used in production is sourced from palm plantations in West Malaysia that have been reviewed against principles and criteria established by the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO). Based on principles and criteria established by the RSPO, Earthcycle’s sources of raw material have not replaced any primary forest nor converted any Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESA) for the purpose of palm oil production.

UK-based Innovia, a manufacturer of Cellophane films, embarked on a development program aimed at adapting the cellulose-base film to meet stringent compostability norms. The result is Natureflex™, a transparent cellulose-based film made from renewable wood pulp sourced from managed plantations, which meet stringent food and compostable requirements. The paper label is also earth-friendly, designed with water-based ink and a special adhesive, and it is certified compostable.

A panel of independent jurors selected this year’s winners from nearly 80 entries from the Americas, Europe, and Asia. Jurors evaluated seven innovation factors during the evaluation process including clean production, effective recovery, community/social benefit, enhanced performance, cost-effective economics, responsible sourcing, and resource and energy optimization.