Food Packaging: A switch tree huggers and CFOs can love
The fact that France’s Group Danone bought a 40 percent stake in Stonyfield 18 months ago had nothing to do with the switch from a polypropylene cup and three-layer inner seal, insists Tim Kenny, vice president of marketing. There was no pressure from the Europeans, who face strict source-reduction requirement in their own markets, he says. “If anything, Stonyfield is even more focused on environmental issues than Danone.”
Filling stations had to be modified, with a pick-and-place system that positions die-cut foil lids from Winpak replacing the roll stock that previously was used. Higher pressure and slightly lower temperatures seal the new lids, according to John Daigle, vice president-manufacturing & operations, and there is considerably less material waste. He expects the revamped line to run faster.