[GreenYes] Re: Tetra Pak's Glaskin(TM) Seals FDA Acceptance

[Pat Franklin <pfranklin@container-recycling.org>]

QUESTION:

Does anyone out there know what will be the implications these
'silicon dioxide coated' PET bottles will have on recycling?  Peter
Anderson?  Anyone?

Thanks,
Pat Frankin
CRI
=====================================================
At 02:10 PM 11/27/01 -0800, Gary Liss wrote:

>>Date: Tue, 27 Nov 01 13:52:54 -0800
>>From: Patty Moore <patty@moorerecycling.com>
>>
>>Tetra Pak's Glaskin(TM) Seals FDA Acceptance, Introduces New Class of 
>>Coating Technology
>>------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>Nov 27, 2001 - PR Newswire
>>------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>Robust Silicon Dioxide Barrier Stronger, Recyclable, Better Alternative
>>For PET Containers in the United States
>>
>>VERNON HILLS, Ill., Nov. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Tetra Pak announced it has
>>received acceptance(1) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for
>>Glaskin(TM) packaging barrier coating as a safe food contact substance.
>>Glaskin's silicon dioxide coating for polyethylene terephthalate (PET)
>>bottles creates a clear glass-like interior coating, enabling liquid food
>>manufacturers to package oxygen sensitive beverages in PET containers
>>without sacrificing product quality. Glaskin is safe for consumers,
>>maintains the taste and quality of the products, cuts costs and is
>>environmentally sound.
>>
>>Glaskin can be used in packaging to extend the shelf life and maintain
>>the taste and nutritional value of beverages like beer, carbonated soft
>>drinks, fruit juices and other oxygen sensitive beverages. Glaskin has
>>proven its extended capabilities in shelf life tests for more than a year
>>with brewers and beverage companies in the United States and Europe.
>>
>>Thinner than a human hair, Glaskin protects carbonated soft drinks and
>>beer from going flat and guards fruit juices and beer from the effects of
>>oxygen. "The quality of a liquid food product is only as good as its
>>barrier," said Jeff Kellar, vice president, plastics packaging systems,
>>Tetra Pak. "Glaskin's high-end barrier quality brings it to the top of
>>PET packaging options to date."
>>
>>Glaskin enhances PET packaging by blocking both the ingress of oxygen and 
>>the release of carbon dioxide, protecting the integrity of package
>>contents. In a 24-week study comparing Glaskin to standard PET bottles,
>>Tetra Pak found that Glaskin-coated bottles block 17 times more oxygen
>>than uncoated, PET bottles. Glaskin technology also retains carbon
>>dioxide 25 times greater than standard PET packages.
>>
>>The Glaskin process deposits a thin silicon dioxide layer on the interior
>>surface of the bottle through a unique plasma enhanced process. The
>>process achieves a very thin, homogeneous and dense coating compared to 
>>other coating technologies both plasma and chemical. The thin silicon 
>>dioxide coating offers high elasticity, making it damage resistant, 
>>perfect clarity with no haziness and a superior barrier for keeping 
>>oxygen out and carbon dioxide in. Since it is an interior coating, 
>>Glaskin does not suffer from possible conveyer and line packaging damage.
>>
>>"We are especially pleased and proud of Glaskin's performance as an
>>environmentally positive technology," said Jeff Kellar. Tetra Pak
>>conducted several tests on Glaskin to ensure its recyclability. The tests
>>were both textile and carpet conversion to fiber as well as
>>bottle-to-bottle recyclability. The findings that were presented to
>>Association of Post Consumer Plastics Recyclers (APR) concluded that in 
>>fiber conversion Glaskin does not impart any noticeable change in the
>>quality of the end product, even when recycled using 100% Glaskin
>>bottles. This means that when all of the incoming stream of PET bottles
>>were coated with Glaskin, there was no noticeable effect on the PCR
>>material.
>>
>>When Plastics Technologies, Inc, a leading supplier of proprietary
>>technology and specialty manufacturing services to the plastic packaging
>>industry, put PET bottles with Glaskin through bottle-to- bottle tests,
>>the packages proved to be recyclable at 100% as well as fit seamlessly
>>into existing PET recycling channels. Tetra Pak was recognized with the
>>Partners for Change Award from the APR for its work and sensitivity
>>towards recyclability in new product development.
>>
>>The Glaskin crystal-clear coating enables liquid food manufacturers to
>>differentiate their products with package shape and size and still have a
>>barrier that creates a new standard in PET packaging. In Europe,
>>Spendrups and Bitburger Beer were successfully launched in PET bottles
>>using the Glaskin coating technology.
>>
>>"We are excited to bring Glaskin to the United States after the great
>>success that it has had in Europe. With the growing demand for plastics,
>>Tetra Pak's Glaskin will quickly be associated as the top barrier for PET
>>bottles," said Kellar.
>>
>>Tetra Pak expects the first US applications of Glaskin late-2002.
>>
>>About Tetra Pak
>>
>>Established in the United States in 1984, Tetra Pak Inc. develops,
>>produces and markets complete processing and packaging systems and
>>provides systems engineering, packaging materials, technical field
>>services and spare parts support. Best known for its aseptic processing
>>and packaging systems, Tetra Pak is also one of the top producers of
>>gable top milk and juice cartons in the United States. For more
>>information on Tetra Pak, please visit www.tetrapakusa.com/ grow /
>>
>>(1) Glaskin complies with the provisions of applicable food additive
>>regulations, in contact with all types of food under conditions of use
>>c thru g, as described in Tables 1 and 2, of 21 CFR 176.170(c).
>http://tbutton.prnewswire.com/prn/11690X52604605
>Gary Liss
>916-652-7850
>Fax: 916-652-0485

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