Plant-based PLA Form-Fill-Seal Plastic Multi-Pack Yogurt Cup Developed for Stonyfield Farm Achieves Top Honors

Developed exclusively by Clear Lam as part of its Project EarthClear program, the new packaging material was produced from modified Ingeo PLA and used in the industry’s first application for the form-fill-seal machine.

6/24/2011 --- The 2011 DuPont Awards for Packaging Innovation has recognized Clear Lam Packaging for its breakthrough work on the industry’s first plant-based PLA Form-Fill-Seal Plastic Multi-Pack Yogurt Cup application for Stonyfield Farm.  Clear Lam achieved a Silver Award for Excellence in Innovation. Winners of DuPont Awards represent the best packaging innovations from around the globe and demonstrate excellence in meeting consumer needs while achieving innovation, sustainability and cost/waste reduction.  Winners were announced during a live webcast today.

“Earning this award and being recognized by our peers worldwide is a tremendous honor for our organization,” said James Sanfilippo, president and CEO of Clear Lam Packaging, Inc. “Our entire team is dedicated to pursuing the next great packaging advancement and this award validates their hard work and extraordinary commitment.”

The DuPont Awards for Packaging Innovation are judged by a prestigious international jury.  Winners were selected from hundreds of entries provided by packaging designers, converters, consumer goods processors, retailers and equipment manufacturers from all regions of the globe. 

“The Packaging Awards program is an opportunity to celebrate how collaborating throughout the value chain can bring cost-effective innovation to market to help solve the big issues,” said Shanna Moore, global director sustainable packaging, DuPont Packaging & Industrial Polymers. “Clear Lam’s application for the form-fill-seal machine captures the spirit of innovation to resolve complex global challenges.”

Developed exclusively by Clear Lam as part of its Project EarthClear program, the new packaging material was produced from modified Ingeo PLA and used in the industry’s first application for the form-fill-seal machine. Stonyfield produced the formed cups on its own yogurt cup packaging equipment and is using the new packaging on its entire multi-pack yogurt cup product line.

For nearly a decade, Clear Lam has invested extensively in research and development to commercialize new packaging technologies that minimize the impact on the environment. These efforts include three product lines developed for Clear Lam’s Project EarthClear program: Flexible and Rigid Packaging made from renewable raw materials, bioplastics, cellophane and paper (not petroleum-based feedstocks); Flexible and Rigid Packaging made with recycled plastic or paper; and Lightweighting Materials to eliminate heavy cans, bottles and jars. Today Clear Lam is one of the world’s largest extruders and thermoformers of plant-based Ingeo PLA.