DuPont: Do more with less high performance packages

The Index developed by the Economist Intelligence Unit measures affordability, availability, quality and safety of food across 107 countries in the world and asks how packaging can impact these findings.

The DuPont sponsored tool is accessible to everyone and can be viewed online or downloaded as a workbook with key findings globally and by country.

Vicious cycle​

“A third of food is wasted globally right now, it’s a vicious cycle which increases commodity prices so it’s important to attack food waste​,” said Yasmin Siddiqi global marketing director, DuPont Packaging.

“Food security is a daunting challenge but it will become even more daunting in the next few decades. We need to look at next generation packaging now and how we can do more with less, high performance packages​.”

Referring to a case study to deliver food to a remote village in Chihuahua, in Mexico, Siddiqi said DuPont worked with Álvaro Novarro Garate, secretary of economy to the state, to deliver Surlyn, a multi-packaging sealant to create a duo-chamber pouch package​, which separates purified water from infant formula.

Poor transportation​

“We have the technology to revolutionize the flexible packaging industry. In the case of Chihuahua, we addressed the key issues of accessibility, availability and food nutrition and found an affordable solution for a town that did not have refrigeration or good transportation," she said​. ​

“The packaging has two compartments; one side is water and one side is a food supply. By squeezing the pouch the person using it activates the mixing so it was ready to eat​.

“This meant the final product could withstand the distribution journey and it lasts up to 12 months without refrigeration​.”

$10bn funding​

Siddiqi said by 2020 DuPont plans to spend $10bn on research and development and introducing 4,000 products centered on producing more food; enhancing nutrition, food and agriculture, sustainability and safety; boosting food availability and shelf life and reducing waste. Packaging would be included in that investment.

“We believe there is a science in feeding the world. We can’t force it onto others manufacturers but we need further collaboration with NGOs and Government to extend it to the emerging regions​,” she added.

“With the R&D research, we are on track to meet these goals, but we need to find out how can packaging be used, how to engage the youth of today and give people knowledge. Packaging needs to come to the table and have a key role​.“​

DuPont will be taking part in the Food Safety Summit: “Solutions for Today, Planning for Tomorrow” from April 8-10, in Baltimore, US next year.