Eastman, Sealed Air develop compostable protein trays

Through a partnership with Charlotte, North Carolina-based Sealed Air, Eastman has launched a compostable, lightweight tray designed as a drop-in replacement for traditional polystyrene foam trays in protein packaging that can work on existing, industrial food packaging equipment.

According to Kingsport, Tennessee-based Eastman, the tray already is successfully performing in several market applications. Sealed Air introduced its Cryovac brand compostable overwrap tray to the market in January.

RELATED: Eastman involved in pair of circularity partnerships

The new tray is made from Eastman Aventa Renew compostable materials, which are produced from sustainably sourced wood pulp and acetyl sourced from a portfolio of recycled material. Eastman says the tray can be composted in home and industrial environments. Predominantly containing cellulose acetate derived from wood pulp, the new trays are compostable by naturally occurring microbes, and Aventa Renew material does not remain as microplastics in the environment.

“One of the most exciting features of these trays is that they perform like traditional plastic in a challenging atmosphere and yet provide an end-of-life solution through composting—a win-win for the environment,” Eastman Vice President of Corporate Innovation Jeff Carbeck says.

Eastman says the collaboration that led to this new application advances the circularity commitments of both companies, adding that Aventa Renew is a unique compostable material containing both biobased and certified recycled content. The tray has obtained home compostable certification from TÜV Austria and industrial compostable certification from the New York-based Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI).

“Encouraging development of a circular plastics economy takes dedication and collaboration from all aspects of the value chain, including where we source our materials,” says Tiffani Burt, Sealed Air’s executive director of strategic marketing and sustainability for the Americas. “Our Cryovac brand compostable overwrap tray would not be possible without the ingenuity of the product we use from Eastman, and we are excited to partner with them to bring this innovative tray to the market.”