Reducing the environmental impact of packaging is one of the great challenges of the food industry. Over the last years, recyclable materials and new elements have gained weight with the intention of reducing the dependence of single -use plastics. Nestlé Central America adds to innovations with a Self -downed cheese.
These are containers made with the serum of the cheese, and it is a new development born of the creative agency Ogilvy Colombia For the brand Nestlé how rich!which distributes cheese in Panama. The idea, called “Self-Packing Cheese”could be recognized internationally, since it appears on the short list of the innovation category of the Cannes Lions Festival.
The company’s intention has been to take advantage of a byproduct that usually has a low level of use, despite having similar properties to plastic, and transforming it into biodegradable containers. Consequently, plastic waste is reduced and serum that would normally be discarded is reused.
As explained by Ogilvy Colombia in a video, The serum It undergoes a biotechnological process that transforms its components into a biopolymer known as PHA (polyhydroxialcanoats), and combines with other elements that contribute to the formation of a material with properties similar to those of conventional plastic. The result is a biodegradable material with ideal characteristics for its application in food containers.
“Self-Packing Cheese” is a solution in which the alternative for replace plastic It comes from the product itself, and has the capacity to preserve nutritional properties, the taste and freshness of the product … is aligned with the sustainable development objectives, and is adaptable to the manufacturing process.
As they point out from the agency, this self -denied cheese is being tested as a substitute for primary and secondary packaging of the Nestlé cheeses, how rich! Distributed in Panama. The company’s objective is produce 5,500 tons of this product with 100% biodegradable packaging based on serum.
“We are proud of the ‘Self -Denvasated Cheese’ project to explore circular solutions, strengthen our manufacturing processes and generate tangible benefits for the communities where we operate” Little Black Book. “This initiative reflects how innovation can become an engine to build a more sustainable future and represents an advance in our commitment to sustainability and creation of shared value “.
“We are proud to provide ideas that inspire a significant change in society and generate tangible results for our clients”; Commented, meanwhile, Gastón Potasz, creative director of Ogilvy Colombia.“This important impact on the environment and companies could be reflected not only in cheese packaging, but also in a widely used solution”
