ZURICH, Feb. 02, 2023 - Amcor (NYSE: AMCR, ASX: AMC), a global leader in developing and producing responsible packaging solutions, announced it has won a Silver award for Amcor LifeSpan® Copper Based Film in the 2022 Packaging Innovation Awards competition, sponsored by DOW in which a global expert panel evaluated products for technological advancements, user experience and sustainability impact.
The Dow award for this innovative packaging product follows two recent industry honors. In 2022, Amcor LifeSpan® Copper Based Film won first place at the Latin Pack packaging competition in the Save Food category, and last month, the World Packaging Organisation named it a winner of a WorldStar Global Packaging Award.
An Amcor Chile team and CopperProtek, a biomaterial technology company based in Chile, worked for two years to develop this innovative and smart film, which adds copper microparticles to the resin in film production. Copper is known for its germ-fighting properties, and this allows the packaging to inherit the copper properties and therefore reduce the development of microorganisms inside the packaging allowing to extend packaging shelf life up to three times.
"Amcor LifeSpan® Copper Based Film offers two important benefits," explains Gustavo Compagnone, research, and development manager at Amcor Flexibles Chile. "First, it directly helps reduce food waste, estimated today at about 30% by the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization, by staying fresher longer. Second, minimizing food waste can be better for the environment by reducing the carbon footprint impact."
Raul Molina, co-founder, and general manager, CopperProtek, added, "We are proud that both consumers and the environment are benefiting from our collaboration with Amcor, and we look forward to further opportunities to make a difference through our strategic partnership."
Amcor LifeSpan® Copper Based Film is suitable for a wide range of applications, including ham and sausages, bacon, fresh cheese, and fresh meat. It is currently used in the market for cheese and deli food packaging and is under consideration for use in other food applications that will benefit from its unique copper preservation properties.
