Food waste replaces plastic in freezer-to-oven packaging

Israeli food tech start-up W-Cycle has developed SupraPulp — plastic-free packaging made from sugarcane waste. The waste-based packaging is fully compostable and durable enough to be used for greasy, wet or hot food. SupraPulp materials can be frozen then heated in an oven, convection oven, steam cooker or microwave.

The packaging is made from 100% renewable sugarcane fibres called bagasse — the dry, pulpy fibrous matter that remains after sugarcane or sorghum stalks are crushed to extract their juice.

While standard bagasse containers cannot sustain liquids and oils, SupraPulp containers are oil and water resistant, allowing them to avoid any absorption or leakage. Fresh meat, poultry and seafood are commonly packed in plastics such as PE, PET and Styrofoam due to their juice runoff. SupraPulp is a sustainable replacement as it will not absorb liquids, leak or soften.

The packaging can be frozen to -40°C and reheated to 270°C, inviting a comprehensive range of food applications such as ready-meal packaging. After use, the package can be disposed of as organic waste.

“Dispose SupraPulp packages the same way as you would your salad,” W-Cycle CEO and Co-founder Lior Itai said.

“This food-grade, compostable packaging is a one-to-one replacement for its plastic counterpart. There are other compostable solutions on the market, but SupraPulp has game-changing functionality consumers need when they want to heat, freeze or microwave convenience food products. Plus, SupraPulp trays have a luxury look and feel compared to plastic, aluminium or bioplastic containers.”

Alternative green solutions such as bioplastic made from the whole plant need to be specially grown, harvested and processed. SupraPulp is made from the waste upcycled from sugarcane, or similar crops such as wheat and bananas. It is the ultimate green, sustainable, eco-friendly solution to plastic waste.

W-Cycle CTO and Co-founder Joseph Siani said, “COVID-19 is drawing consumers’ attention to how we treat our planet and the future of the environment.

“There is greater demand — and pressure — on brands to offer environmentally responsible products. Providing a compostable solution for ready meals and meat products allows us to help food manufactures as well as consumers ditch plastic containers and create a cleaner environment. Together, we can put an end to plastic pollution.”