Recyclable and compostable pouches extend shelf-life with Sirane’s new range

15 May 2018 --- UK-based absorbent food packaging specialists, Sirane, launches Earthpouch – touted as the first plastic-free compostable food pouch with shelf-life extending capabilities. Made from paper, the pouch is both compostable and recyclable, meeting the demand for more environmentally-friendly packaging solutions.

Sirane’s Earthpouch was developed in conjunction with B&G Products and HAVI and launched in 2018 with Troofoods after approximately two years of development. Sirane last week acquired B&G, which is now part of the Sirane Group.

Peter Ralten, from B&G, said: “Over the last few years food brands and retailers have asked us to come up with an affordable recyclable pouch solution.”

“Beside the fact that the Earthpouch can be recycled with paper it is also compostable. B&G waited to take a solution to the market that is affordable. We were delighted that Troo decided to pack their fantastic product in the Earthpouch – and now many more companies are about to follow suit.”

The Earthpouch – an industry first - is made from paper with a 100 percent plastic-free heat-sealable coating which is then formed into a preformed stand-up pouch which provides total food security for dry and moist food products.

Simon Balderson, Sirane Managing Director, added: “We presented the Earthpouch at Packaging Innovations earlier this year at the NEC, Birmingham, and it provoked real excitement, we’ve had many inquiries on the back of it.”

“We’re now working with a number of companies, in many different sectors, and I think it’s fair to say Earthpouch will be on a shelf near you very soon. One of the great things about the Earthpouch is it is also cost-effective, often environmentally-friendly packaging comes at a cost, with Earthpouch that’s not the case.”

The Earthpouch is one of a range of compostable/recyclable products and packaging solutions Sirane has developed over the years.

Simon Balderson said: “The correct food packaging can help to extend the shelf-life of produce, be it meat, seafood, or fresh fruit and vegetables, and it is possible to supply packaging solutions which are also 100 percent compostable.”

“It’s not one or the other, packaging can be environmentally friendly and effective,” Balderson adds.

Compostable food packaging from Sirane includes breathable bags and films for extending the life of fresh produce. Sira-Flex Resolve is a natural biopolymer which the manufacturer makes into bags or films, and which can extend shelf-life by many days.

Sirane’s Sira-Flex Resolve is a unique plant-based breathable film developed to have the optimum balance between humidity control and O2 and CO2 permeability.

The permeability is temperature dependant so that the perfect atmosphere is maintained inside the pack even if the storage temperature is variable.

Simon Balderson said: “The results using this packaging film are remarkable. There is no condensation on the inside of the film and the product does not dry out.”

“The package atmosphere is maintained with the optimum balance of atmospheric gases to prevent degradation. In simple terms, the food lasts longer – but of course, in packaging terms it’s fully compostable, so it ticks all the green boxes.”

“Shelf life extension of several days and more is achieved for many products. The film is suitable for all types of vegetables including salads as well as fresh fruit.”

“Other compostable products include our absorbent pads for meat, poultry, seafood and fruit. Many of our Dri-Fresh absorbent products can be offered in compostable form under the name Dri-Fresh Resolve; for Sirane, Resolve means compostable.”

Jeremy Haydn-Davies, Sirane Sales Director, says: “Absorbent products can contribute significantly to a product’s ultimate shelf-life; they are used for a reason. But if going green is your aim, they can be supplied as compostable in many cases.”

“Integrating anti-microbial or anti-bacterial technology, for example, can help extend the shelf-life even further, helping to achieve food waste reduction targets.”

Food waste topped the industry’s agenda in 2017 thanks to Courtauld 2025 - a 10-year voluntary agreement that brings together organizations across the food chain – from producer through to consumer – to make the industry more sustainable. Among the targets are a 20 percent reduction in food waste in the UK.

Sirane also offers compostable packaging for plants/flowers, including compostable bags and films, and compostable plant pots, as part of its horticultural range.