A joint project between Melinda and Novamont to make the whole packaging compostable, stickers and labels included
Sustainability has always meant concrete actions for Melinda and one of the priorities is definitely to reduce the impact of packaging on the environment as much as possible.
The partnership signed by Melinda with Novamont - a leading Italian company in the production of bioplastics from renewable sources, biodegradable and compostable - has enabled the development of a bioplastic film which, together with the tray, stickers and labels, makes the packaging for the entire Melinda bio line totally compostable.
All the packaging is designed with consumer-friendly graphics and can be recycled with the collection of the organic waste to be transformed into compost, such as fertiliser for the soil, after treatment in special industrial plants. As guarantee of the certified biodegradability and compostability, each package of Melinda bio line carries the "OK compost INDUSTRIAL", which is valid for every single component of the pack. The whole process will not only allow a better management of waste streams, but also will bring back clean organic matter in the soil, contributing to the restoration of its fertility and to the reduction of CO2 emissions.
Thanks to this partnership, each package of Melinda Bio will bear the MaterBi® trademark (owned by Novamont) , which identifies the high-quality bioplastic raw material from which the film is made. This represents a further guarantee for the consumer.
According to a learning by doing logic, the cooperation between Melinda and Novamont has also given rise to a research project on the use of apple processing waste, from Melinda supply chain for the extraction of second-generation sugars that will be used for the production process of bioplastic itself. This represents a perfect example of circular bioeconomy that sees two realities belonging to extremely different sectors, cooperating in a local project.
Paolo Gerevini, the General Manager of Consorzio Melinda, has declared that the goal is to develop increasingly sustainable processes in “Val di Non”, a valley with the requirements to be a model of sustainability on the national and international scene. Furthermore, they kept on finding innovative solutions in order to conduct a modern and increasingly environmentally friendly fruit growing. Melinda has found in Novamont the ideal partner with which to develop eco-friendly projects even in the production of packaging for their fruit and they are looking to the future by working with them from a circular economy perspective.
“I would like to thank Melinda for choosing to experiment with new solutions with us in a pioneering and constructive spirit," says Catia Bastioli, CEO of Novamont, "in the awareness of the interconnections between climate change, ecosystem degradation, loss of biodiversity, food, pollution, social cohesion and territories.
By applying the model of the circular bioeconomy, we have contributed to the creation of the first Italian integrated supply chain for bioplastics and biochemicals, with soil health as starting and final point, reactivating 5 deindustrialized sites and creating supply chain agreements with the world of agriculture, cooperating with composting plants, as well as with a network of innovative processors, brand owners and research centers”.
Circular economy and bioeconomy today can represent an extraordinary opportunity to overcome the linear development model, thus making it possible to do more with less resources.
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