US-based Danimer Scientific has agreed to develop biodegradable film resins to help PepsiCo’s global food and beverage business meet the sustainable flexible packaging requirements.
As part of the deal, Danimer will develop the film resins for use in the packaging of PepsiCo’s existing snack food and beverage range.
The new films will include Danimer’s Nodax polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) bioplastic.
Danimer said it had earlier developed bio-based compostable packaging for PepsiCo’s snack brands.
Danimer Scientific CEO Stephen Croskrey said: “Danimer Scientifics’ partnership with PepsiCo marks a significant milestone as we continue to expand our biopolymer technology to provide innovative bioplastic solutions to a wider range of applications and products.”
In October 2016, PepsiCo announced its 2025 sustainability agenda, which aims to design fully recoverable or recyclable packaging for its products and reduce greenhouse gas emissions across its value chain.
PepsiCo vice chairman and chief scientific officer Mehmood Khan said: “From the start PepsiCo has taken a holistic approach to our sustainability work.
“Our first objective is achieving long-term profitability and that requires sustainable solutions to grow our business while minimising our environmental impact.
“Our plan to scale Danimer Scientifics’ technology is a step toward achieving both our greenhouse gas emission reduction and our recoverable and recyclable packaging goals.”
Danimer plans to expand its Nodax PHA plant in order to facilitate the production of the film resins for PepsiCo.
The Nodax PHA is a naturally occurring biopolymer produced by microbial bacteria as they ferment organically sourced oils, the firm said.
Using renewable biomass, Danimer produces its Nodax PHA biopolymer, which can replace the use of various petroleum-based plastics.
