Pretzel maker Snyder's of Hanover is using polylactic acid resin in the bags for a new line of organic snacks. The bags were supplied by Elk Grove Village, Ill.-based Clear Lam Packaging Inc.
Clear Lam said it took a year of research and development to create a PLA package bag that acts and feels the same as bags made from conventional plastics.
To create the appropriate oxygen- and moisture-barrier properties, the film was laminated to another plant-based plastic layer that incorporates a thin metalized layer. The materials are made mostly from Ingeo PLA, produced by NatureWorks LLC of Minnetonka, Minn.
“This is a major milestone and another important step in our effort to provide meaningful packaging solutions that are better for the environment,” James Sanfilippo, president and CEO, said in a news release.
Clear Lam said the material is renewable, can be produced with as little as half the energy of conventional plastics, and generate as little as 52 percent fewer greenhouse-gas emissions in the manufacturing process.
The bags include a graphic that informs consumers about the material.
The PLA films from Clear Lam are part of the company's Project EarthClear initiatives, which also include using recycled content whenever possible and new lightweighting technologies.
Founded in 1969, Clear Lam employs 750 at seven manufacturing plants — four in the U.S. and three in China.
Tel. 847-439-8570, fax 847-439-8589.
Copyright 2010 Crain Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved.