The new recyclable film extends fresh produce shelf life and reduces environmental impact
In the fresh produce packaging segment, where the challenge is to balance protection, visibility and sustainability, Innovia Films introduces P2G, a clear high gas transmission BOPP film developed for flow wrap applications, particularly for fresh fruit and vegetables and fresh-cut produce.
The key strength of this new solution lies in the optimisation of gas transmission rates, a crucial factor in controlling the respiration of fresh produce. More effective management of gas exchange helps preserve freshness, quality and organoleptic properties for longer, resulting in extended shelf life. The outcome is a tangible reduction in food waste across the entire supply chain, an issue that is increasingly central to sustainability strategies within the food sector.
Features and benefits
From a technical perspective, P2G is heat-sealable on both sides, ensuring reliable and consistent seals even on high-speed flow wrap lines. The film also delivers excellent optical clarity, allowing consumers to clearly see the product while maintaining strong on-shelf appeal. Its mechanical properties remain stable even under demanding conditions: it retains puncture and impact resistance at low temperatures and is unaffected by climatic variations that may occur during transportation and storage.
Sustainability at its core
Sustainability is a cornerstone of the project. P2G is a mono-material polypropylene solution that is fully recyclable within the PP waste stream, a particularly relevant feature in light of the upcoming EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), which will enter into force in 2025. The film aligns fully with the direction set by the regulation, which aims to reduce packaging waste and improve recyclability, supporting brands in achieving the goal of fully recyclable packaging by 2030.
Its environmental profile is further strengthened by the option to incorporate chemically recycled and bio-based ISCC-certified polymers via a mass balance approach. This enables producers to contribute to recycled content targets and reduce dependence on fossil resources, while maintaining the high performance standards required for packaging highly perishable fresh products.
Extending shelf life has not only commercial but also climate-related implications. Reducing the amount of discarded produce helps limit the need for overproduction in agriculture and curb the associated greenhouse gas emissions. Similarly, fewer spoiled goods mean fewer transport operations and restocking cycles, leading to additional reductions in fuel consumption and emissions throughout the supply chain.
