Ecolean Packaging

Heres an interesting new packaging concept from the Swedish company Ecolean. The packaging is based on a patented material they call Calymer.

Made from 40% calcium carbonate (natural chalk) the material is similar to that of an eggshell.  It is then combined with polymers which serve as the binding agent and yield the final product.

The flexible packaging is approved for food use in Europe and the company released a study available on its web site indicating their packaging is more efficient than other dairy packaging as it reduces food waste and materials required.

Ecolean is designed primarily for the food industry.  Its competitors include traditional plastic dairy packaging and some of the Tetra Pak line of products.

Ecolean says its packaging can be recycled at end of life like a traditional plastic (PP or PE) or incinerated for disposal.