ITC’s Paperboards and Packaging has introduced the Filo Series of innovative sustainable food packaging solutions. Backed by its extensive R&D, these are suggested as an alternative to single-use plastics in the foodservice segment. Also, there are the biodegradable ‘Omega Series,’ an alternative to plastic-coated containers and cups. ITC has also pioneered a replicable multi-layer plastic waste management model in Pune, providing an end-to-end solution for converting plastic waste into commercial products based on its technical know-how. Sanjiv Puri, chairman of ITC, revealed these insights at the company’s 109th Annual General Meeting on 4 September 2020.
Puri also revealed ITC’s continuously ambitious sustainability goals, perhaps addressing its packaging for its FMCG division as much as its hotel, tobacco, and paperboard businesses. “ITC aspires to meet 50% of its total energy consumption from renewable sources by 2030. As part of its waste management program, the company aims to ensure that 100% of its packaging is reusable, recyclable, or compostable in the next decade.”
Eco-friendly alternative to single-use plastics
ITC says that while plastic is ubiquitous, it has become one of the greatest threats to the environment, pushing brand owners and packaging manufacturers to find suitable alternatives. The company suggests that its PSPD Filo Series is a new way of parceling, plating, wrapping, and packing. In other words, the Filo series designed for the growing food serving and delivery market is an alternative to single-use plastics. The Filo Series comprises Filo Serve, Filo Pack, and Filo Bev. Essentially made of paper board coated with a special barrier, the series of board solutions is claimed to offer exceptional water, oil, and grease resistance, making them ideal for serving and delivering oily, greasy foods, according to ITC.
Filo Serve
Developed as a replacement to single-use plastic and designed for food serving applications like plates and trays. Although Filo Serve is made of paper board, it does not let allow wet foods such as gravy or sauces turn the plates made of it into paper mush, says ITC. Coated with a special moisture resistant barrier that it claims offers oil and grease resistant properties, ITC claims its uniform coating and superior surface finish of paperboard creates sturdy (compatible with cold and hot melt glue) and easy-to-use products.
Filo Pack
Suitable for serving and delivering oily and greasy foods, FiloPack Deep Freeze (FiloPack DF) is specially designed for frozen food packaging.
Filo Bev
Developed for serving beverages and for replacing single-use non-recyclable plastics and LDPE coated cups. The paperboard is coated with a barrier that offers water-resistant properties, according to ITC.
The base paperboard for making the Filo Series (Filo Serve, Filo Pack, and Filo Bev) is made with wood fibers from sustainably managed plantations that provide a livelihood to one lakh farmers across over 7 lakh acres. It is 100% recyclable in existing standard recycling systems. The board and the barrier coating conform to stringent food contact codes. The ITC Filo Series has received the CII Environmental Best Practices award.
