Sustainable Packaging Events Show Company Commitment

The DuPont commitment to sustainability and sustainable packaging recently was highlighted at company-sponsored events including the 20^th DuPont Awards for Packaging Innovation and the Sustainable Packaging Forum.

DuPont Chairman and CEO Chad Holliday and BC Chong, vice president and general manager, DuPont Packaging & Industrial Polymers, hosted the 20^th DuPont Awards for Packaging Innovation, a global awards celebration in support of the company’s participation in the packaging industry. From nearly 80 entries from across the world, seven winners and three “notable accomplishments” were recognized for their innovative solutions for sustainable packaging materials, processes, technology and service while improving freshness, convenience and shelf appeal.

Three of the winners and one of the “notable accomplishments” featured DuPont products:

• Replacing traditional confectionary packaging inserts with a biodegradable component made from DuPont™ Biomax® TPS.
• Providing social benefit through an energy-saving Water Bag-in-Box that improves access to clean drinking water. The liter plastic bag is made of DuPont™ Surlyn®.
• A new process technology that allows for a 50 percent reduction in energy by changing a four-part process for disinfectant spray bottles to a one-step process features a blow-molded bottle and bag that made with DuPont™ Surlyn®.
• A new thermal process for packaging graphics eliminates the use of solvents used DuPont™ Cyrel® FAST.

The Sustainable Packaging Forum, which was held last week at the DuPont Experimental Station in Wilmington, Del., addressed the forces that drive companies to reduce the environmental impact of their packaging, what companies are doing in response, and the breakthrough achievements of the winners of the 20^th DuPont Awards. Leading global experts from consumer goods companies, retailers and packaging industry participants attended the forum.

“Sustainability matters to packaged goods companies and consumers,” said Diane Gulyas, group vice president, DuPont Performance Materials. “DuPont is responding with offerings to reduce the environmental impact of packaging through the introduction of renewably sourced materials. We also are helping eliminate or reduce the amount of packaging used and are developing products that enable use of recycled content. This is in line with our commitment to support reducing the environmental footprint in the value chains where we participate.”