Baking & Snack - March 2023 - 84

SLICED BREAD PACKAGING
MANY BAKERS ARE TURNING TO AUTOMATION TO
BOTH KEEP UP WITH THIS DEMAND AND SAVE LABOR,
ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO PACKAGING.
" Bread bags and film with recycled content is a key
area of focus since many companies have announced
goals to increase the amount of recycled content in their
packaging, and there are some countries legislating for
a minimum recycled content in plastic packaging, " explained
Veronica Ataya, director of marketing and innovation
at St. Johns Packaging.
In 2021, St. Johns launched a commercial bread bag
incorporating 30% post-consumer recycled (PCR) content
in the United Kingdom. Ms. Ataya said the company
has recently worked with many North American
bakeries and aims to have a commercial product in the
United States market this year.
" [The bags] are still recyclable, offer reductions in
Closures today can
be made with recyclable
ingredients
like cellulose.
Kwik Lok
the use of fossil-based materials and lower the carbon
footprint of the packaging, " she said. " Furthermore, the
performance of these bags is very similar to that of traditional
bags, minimizing the impact in the filling/bagging
equipment. "
These PCR bags are likely a first step for bakeries
looking to reduce their carbon footprint via packaging,
Ms. Ataya said. But down the line, she predicted 100%
carbon neutral bags to eventually emerge as both environmental
regulations strengthen and bakeries follow
the lead of other companies. Grupo Bimbo SAB de CV,
Mexico City, for example, committed to producing net
zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Moving down the line, bread bag closures have become
more sustainable as well. Kwik Lok introduced
Fibre-Lok to the United States last year, its sustainable
alternative to plastic bag closures. Fibre-Lok closures are
composed of natural cellulose wood and are made with
100% PCR paper. The company also offers its Eco-Lok
closures, made with up to 20% less fossil fuel-based ingredients
and requiring up to 20% less greenhouse gasses
to make.
" We're trying to help bakers come up with the best
solution for them in both trying to reach their sustainability
goals but at the same time, manage the bottom
line, " said Karen Reed, global director of marketing and
communications, Kwik Lok.
Burford Corp., a Middleby Bakery company, has refined
the use of plastic twist tie material, which can significantly
decrease plastic usage, said Josh Hughes, sales
account manager.
More bakers are also requesting resealable tape closures,
Mr. Atkins said. These closures
are made from the same material
as the bag and don't need to
be recycled separately.
Today's packaging equipment
can also eliminate the need for
waste by extending shelf life.
" Product shelf life is highly related
with packaging; the less air
contained in the bag (filtered air),
the better, " said Louis-Bernard
Meunier, chief customer officer at
Rexfab Inc.
While air is necessary to inflate
the bag and insert product,
some equipment, such as the GHD
Hartmann 420 made in partnership
with Rexfab, can vacuum the air
out afterwards.
" This helps minimize the risk
of product contamination and requires
less bag material, which
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