Developers at LK Packaging have spent year working to perfect a polyethylene blend formulation (POF) that may be the only overwrap film on the market to have achieved fully recyclable prequalification status, officials said Tuesday.
The POF overwrap film, called PreservaWrap, received the prequalification status through the Sustainable Packaging Coalition’s How2Recycle certification program, officials with LK Packaging said. The work on the packaging comes as a response to plans to ban the most-used type of clear overwrap film which may include phthalates in PVC additives. The FDA recently found that most phthalates are no longer used and denied petitions to ban those that remain food-contact authorized.
“We know finding a solution can take time, but it is possible to find a non-PVC overwrap that works great on high-speed or in-store equipment” Jerry Polsinelli, director of overwrap films at LK Packaging said. “We’ve followed closely how markets around the world have tried to address the same challenge and then built a non-PVC solution of our own.”
This year, California’s state assembly passed legislation which included a ban on the manufacture, sale or distribution of PVC packaging beginning in 2026. So far his year, three other states have introduced bills to restrict PVC in packaging – New Hampshire, New Jersey and Vermont. And more than 100 brands, like Target and Walmart, have signed the U.S. Plastics Pact that includes language eliminating the use of PVC because it is not easily reusable, recyclable or compostable. LK Packaging said their PreservaWrap would be a successful alternative.
“We believe there is growing potential for these bans to negatively impact the supply chain, and therefore slow productivity for everyone from packers to merchandisers,” said LK’s VP of Food Packaging Matt Banghart. “We can help keep their operations efficient.”
“As packaging regulations rapidly evolve, savvy brands prioritize selecting recyclable materials and clearly defining end-of-life plans for all product components, while many others scramble to react,” Associate Professor of Packaging Science for Clemson University Dr. Andrew Hurley said.