UK – Parkside in collaboration with food and drink brand SMUG has unveiled what is said to be a 100% compostable crisp packet, reported to biodegrade in domestic compost heaps in less than 26 weeks.
According to Parkside, the brand uses Park2Nature, which can be disposed of in regular domestic compost heaps. Parkside added that the material “will break down into water, carbon dioxide, and biomass in under six and a half months”.
The companies explain that it is also compatible with industrial composting and can decompose within twelve weeks.
SMUG is launching its hand-fried potato crisps in the UK with a debut flavour of Cacio e Pepe, with two further flavours planned for 2024. The brand is a new venture from Shoreditch-based food and drink marketing agency Merry Galelli.
Mark Shaw, sales account manager at Parkside, said: “Cutting-edge brands need cutting-edge sustainable packaging to match. We’re delighted to work with Merry Galelli on the launch of its innovative SMUG brand crisps.
“Sustainability is playing an increasing role in the purchasing decisions of today’s consumers, and so home compostable packaging is ideal for fresh new brands looking to disrupt a highly competitive category.”
The pack sees Parkside’s innovative plant-based laminate applied in a duplex format, offering an oxygen transmission rate (OTR) below 1.0.
This ensures the hand-cooked crisps will retain their satisfying crunch and unique flavour as they move through the supply chain.
Stephen Merry, Co-Founder at Merry Galelli, said the packaging was a key part of the new product launch. “We know the quality and taste of SMUG crisps will prove a hit with consumers, so it’s vitally important our packaging engages and encourages shoppers to try them.”
Earlier last month, Parkside developed a new home compostable flexible packaging solution for New Forest Fruit Company’s new range of ‘plant to packet’ dried strawberries.
The packaging of this range is made using Park2Nature, which is a patented triplex material developed by Parkside.
Park2Nature is free from genetically modified organisms (GMOs), as well as polylactic acid (PLA), and uses a laminate material, which is made from the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification-accredited plant-based resources.
Parkside said that this material has also been certified as home compostable by the German standards organization Technischer Überwachungsverein.
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