Polenghi develops Europe’s first extrusion-blow-molded Ingeo™ bottle

Using a new Ingeo blend formulation, Polenghi LAS has developed Europe’s first extrusion-blow-molded biobased bottle, Polenghi LAS and NatureWorks LLC, manufacturer of Ingeo bioplastic, reported today. Ingeo bioplastic is made from renewable plant material, not oil.

By switching from polyolefin resin to Ingeo bioplastic for packaging 10 million bottles its new Bio organic lemon juice, Polenghi will conserve 1,000 barrels of oil and reduce CO2 emissions by 126 tons compared to an equivalent oil-based plastic squeeze bottle. Polenghi’s achievement demonstrates the first European commercial introduction of a proven, low-environmental impact and renewably sourced bioplastic substitute for polyolefin resins in extrusion-blow-molding applications. This bioplastic also offers stable pricing compared to the volatility experienced in the petroleum market.

Polyethylene and polypropylene are the polyolefins typically used in the extrusion-blow-molding process to produce the “soft” plastic packaging often used for food and personal care squeeze bottles.  The resin manufacturing process to produce Ingeo bioplastic emits 38 percent less CO2 and consumes 45 percent less energy than the resin manufacturing process for an equivalent weight low-density polyethylene. The resin manufacturing process to produce Ingeo bioplastic emits 31.6 percent less CO2 and consumes 42 percent less energy than the resin manufacturing process for polypropylene.

“We are extremely proud of the technical achievements that led to the development of this low-carbon-footprint Eco bottle, the first of its kind in Europe,” said  Marco Polenghi, sales director of Polenghi LAS.  “This bottle and shrink-sleeve label, both made from renewably sourced Ingeo™ bioplastic, presents us with the opportunity to differentiate our Bio organic lemon juice.”

“Over the past two years, we’ve seen the expansion of Ingeo applications into such manufacturing processes as injection molding and higher-heat thermoforming,” said Marc Verbruggen, president and chief executive officer of NatureWorks. “With its innovative Ingeo blend, Polenghi now offers a lower carbon emission/lower energy alternative to polyolefins in extrusion-blow-molding applications.”

Polenghi Bio, organic lemon juice packed in the Eco bottle, is now available in Italy and will soon be stocked in stores throughout Europe. www.polenghigroup.it . The NatureWorks LookBook contains information about other new biobased products and the NatureWorks website www.natureworksllc.com offers a wealth of information on Ingeo biopolymer made from renewable plant material, not oil.

About NatureWorks LLC

NatureWorks LLC is a company dedicated to meeting the world’s needs today without compromising the earth’s ability to meet the needs of tomorrow. NatureWorks LLC is the first company to offer a family of commercially available, low-carbon footprint Ingeo biopolymers derived from 100 percent annually renewable resources with performance and economics that compete with oil-based plastics and fibers. For more information, visit www.natureworksllc.com.

About Polenghi

Polenghi is a family group involved in food and juices manufacturing with 4 facilities in Europe since 1976. Eco-friendly oriented producing 150kw/h of energy by solar panel and using the bottles 100% from renewable sources (Ingeo). Exporting in 50 countries in the world, Polenghi is a European leader of lemon juice.  

Source: http://www.natureworksllc.com/