PVC-free sealants in food packaging

PVC-FREE lid seals continue to make inroads in the food and beverage industry.

A review of the market after just a few years of the launch of the Provalin ^(R) sealant reveals more companies are turning to the technology for their packaging requirements. Specialty food manufacturer Dittmann, for example, has converted its product range, including pasta through vinegar and oil to antipasti, after initial pilot tests with the PVC-free seals proved successful.

The company, together with coating and sealant specialist Actega DS and seal manufacturer Pano, pioneered work on developing a PVC-free sealant alternative in response to growing concerns about food safety and packaging. Food quality must be guaranteed and protected, whether the packaging is a box, jar, can, or plastic bag, and wherever it comes into contact with food. Food authorities and consumer protection groups have been increasingly focused on seals of preserving jars. The EU Plastics Guideline, which also applies to lid seals, has been tightened on several occasions. About 3.5 billion of more than 20 billion preserving jar seals produced in Europe every year are for food containing oil and grease. Little or no attention has been given to the fact that the required sealant material for keeping glass packaging sealed and protecting contents from spoilage was exclusively made of PVC.

The Provalin seal solution, which was developed over a period of six years of research and development work and leveraged know-how on PVC-free solutions for crown corks, aluminum seals and bandguard, uses thermoplastic elastomers and dispenses entirely with PVC and phthalates or plasticizers classified as harmful.

It is suitable for all types of food packaged hot or cold, including those that are subsequently heat-treated, pasteurized, or sterilized, and allows jars to be opened and closed easily. It complies with all requirements governing glass as a packaging material and can withstand high stacking pressure and fluctuating temperatures.

Food manufacturers and retailers alike are acknowledging the real competitive advantage offered by Provalin. Experts at the German Packaging Prize, including Edeka, Nestlé, and Tchibo representatives, lauded consistent further development of the PVC-free seal through to market readiness by awarding it the Packaging Prize in 2011.

According to Dittman CEO Timm Reichold, "This is acknowledged by retailers and consumers alike. In 2014, we sealed 86 million jars with a blue seal. Blue to ensure that consumers know they are dealing with a PVC-free seal. This new seal is a sales pitch for both sides."

Eight out of every ten consumers now buy specialty foods featuring the blue seal based on tests.

“We receive numerous letters, phone calls, and emails from numerous consumers every day with requests for information and offering congratulations on our PVC-free products,” Mr. Reichold added.  He also noted increasingly positive reactions from the media, which is otherwise regarded as being rather critical.

"In many ways, we see regular confirmation of the decision we took back then. As a traditional family company, we have always striven toward guaranteeing our customers maximum product safety,” Mr. Reichold stated.

The work on Provalin is also in line with the company’s responsibility to protect the environment. "For these reasons, we recognized a need to take action at an early stage and are now reaping the benefits of having faced such research and development work with competent partners at our side," he said.