Food Packaging / Handling Technology Calls

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PepsiCo posted this Technology Call

We have been working on paper base structures as a potential option for our flexible food packaging to help with our sustainability goals of having 100% RCB compliance for our packages by 2030. While flexible package is a very sustainable option from a material use point of view, the multi-layer multi-material structures are not conducive for recycling and mostly end up in the landfill or as litter. Paper helps us with the end of life issues and can be recyclable, biodegradable and compostable. Maintaining packaging performance such as shelf stability, oxygen and moisture barrier are a must on this project. Oxygen barrier is not a problem with current technologies available but achieving the very high moisture barrier required for packaging dry foods has been a challenge. We understand that new technologies will be needed to achieve the high moisture barrier requirements (< 0.3 g/m2/day under Tropical conditions). Also, it is important to maintain this barrier under forming conditions in the VFFS process of bag-making. We are looking for novel solutions that can be added to the paper, if possible, as a high functional coating applied through flexographic or rotogravure process and/or a skin layer with high functionality that can anchor metal (metallization). The functional layer/coating must be compliant with paper recycling process and biodegradable/compostable.
Seeking moisture barrier for paper substrate - Flexible Packaging

PepsiCo posted this Technology Call

We have been working on bio-based/biodegradable flexible films for food packaging to help achieve our sustainability goals of having 100% RCB compliance for our packages as well as 20% reduction in GHG by 2030. While flexible package is a very sustainable option from a material use point of view, the multi-layer multi-material structures are not conducive for recycling and mostly end up in the landfill or as litter. While the biodegradable films help us with the end of life issues by designing for managed waste infrastructures like composting and anaerobic digestion, it cannot be at the expense of performance compromises such as reduced shelf stability. Oxygen barrier is not a problem with these films but achieving the very high moisture barrier required for packaging dry foods (< 0.3 g/m2/day under tropical conditions of 38C/90% RH) has been a challenge. We understand that metallization will be needed to achieve the high moisture barrier requirements, but even with metallization we have not been able to reach this barrier with bio-based films. Also, it is important to maintain this barrier under forming conditions in the VFFS process of bag-making. We are looking for novel resins that can be co-extruded with our core resins to form a skin layer with high functionality that can anchor metal to film or highly functional coatings which would serve the same purpose. Inherently high barrier coatings that can be applied as primer coating or top coating over metal could also be a solution.
Seeking moisture barrier for bio-based films

PepsiCo posted this Technology Call

PepsiCo is interested in new methods to delight and engage with regard to promotional activity using existing packaging components such as bottles, labels and closures. PepsiCo connects with consumers in a variety of ways, such as advertising and social media. On a more personal, individualized level, PepsiCo can also connect with consumers via QR codes on labels or via unique codes added to the underside of a cap. Driven by the unique coding, these under-the-cap (UTC) codes can provide access to product or promotional information or can provide entry into a contest. Once redeemed, unique codes will need to be prohibited from further redemption. In order to access the code, the consumer must first purchase the product and then open the container by breaking the tamper evident bands to access the unique code. Often, however, the UTC codes can be difficult to read using either the human eye or with a cell phone camera. The main challenge: the closure base color has little contrast when compared to the UTC text. This results in a decline in consumer engagement and participation. PepsiCo is seeking: 1. Systems or technologies that can deliver a more positive consumer experience by ensuring greater visibility and legibility to unique UTC codes 2. Alternatives to the traditional UTC codes by leveraging bottles, labels or closure technologies that still require consumer purchase of the product prior to accessing the unique identifier. While PepsiCo is primarily interested in technologies that are closer to commercial availability, early-stage solutions may also be of interest, provided a clear development pathway exists.
Seeking novel technologies to enable consumer promotions using existing packaging components

PepsiCo posted this Technology Call

PepsiCo seeks to deliver a world-class consumer experience with its products and that experience begins with the packaging. PepsiCo seeks to identify a variety of new packaging technologies to increase consumer engagement for its global beverage and snack products. Below are some examples of new innovations and technologies that can deliver a different and unique experience for consumers such as: • Smart/interactive packaging o Consumer-level interactions that are visual, sound-based, touch-based o Technologies can be incorporated into caps, labels, cans, multi-pack carriers, etc. or even via vending equipment or an application o Ideal situation is interactive packaging that triggers a positive emotion in consumer during PepsiCo beverage consumption • Premium and/or personalized packaging o Advanced packaging decoration technologies like innovative labels, inks, etc. o Unique dosing methods or closures o Packaging that can create theater at the point of consumption, e.g. like Drinkfinity o Packaging or materials (e.g. coatings) that can keep beverages colder for longer o Other ways of offering consumer customization • User-friendly packaging o Packaging that is easy to open and use for users of all ages and abilities o Packaging that can inhibit or prevent spillage or mess The above list is not meant to be exclusive – if you have a packaging-related technology that can provide new consumer experience, we'd love to hear from you. Technologies that can successfully combine more than one of these interest areas are highly desirable. Please note: all proposed technologies must have advanced beyond the conceptual stage.
Seeking novel packaging technologies to increase consumer engagement for PepsiCo's global beverage and snack products

PepsiCo posted this Technology Call

PepsiCo is seeking novel bottle and/or bottle closure sanitation methods that reduce or eliminate the use of chemicals and/or water in the sanitation process. It is very important to sanitize packaging containing beverages intended for human consumption. Failure to adequately sanitize bottles and bottle closures to remove bacteria, viruses, molds, yeasts, and spores may have serious consequences with respect to product quality and safety, potentially leading to negative customer reactions or even product recall. Peracetic acid (PAA) is a commonly employed and highly effective sanitizer, particularly when used in conjunction with hydrogen peroxide. However, PAA sanitation processes involve a significant amount of water throughout the process including dilution, water rinsing of packaging post-treatment and chemical disposal. Globally, trillions of gallons of beverages are bottled each year. While preserved carbonated soft drinks (CSDs) are the traditional leader in market share, other drinks such as bottled water, juices, non-preserved CSDs, and ready-to-drink teas and coffees are gaining in share. New inventions are needed to ensure that these drinks remain safe, while reducing unnecessary chemical and/or water consumption during production. Proposed solutions should achieve the following objectives: •Reduce or eliminate the amount of water used in bottle and/or bottle closure sanitation processes; and/or •Reduce or eliminate the use of chemicals in bottle and/or bottle closure sanitation processes.
Seeking novel bottle and/or bottle closure sanitation methods that reduce or eliminate the use of chemicals and/or water in the sanitation process