First Place Proposal: New Double Sack (DS) economical packaging for “Essential Powdered Nutrient Supplements” Proposed Idea or Technical Approach Packaging Improvement for Essential Powdered Nutrient Powders (MNPs) to Combat Malnutrition
First Place Winner: Jose Tarquino
Award: $12,500
Second Place Proposal: RE: Seeking More Sustainable and Effective Packaging for Essential Powdered Nutrient Supplements
Second Place Winner: Ilya Mir and Ellery West
Award: $9,000
Third Place Proposal: Use of Chitosan setting solution for:
sustainable and effective packaging for essential powdered nutrient supplements to combat malnutrition.
Third Place Winner: Mehrdad Keshmiri
Award: $3,500
First Place Proposal: New Double Sack (DS) economical packaging for “Essential Powdered Nutrient Supplements” Proposed Idea or Technical Approach Packaging Improvement for Essential Powdered Nutrient Powders (MNPs) to Combat Malnutrition
First Place Winner: Jose Tarquino
Award: $12,500
OBJECTIVE
To replace the current MNPs laminated sack (specification 12μ PET /8μ Al / 45μ LDPE) with a NEW biodegradable MNPs sack with a cost less than 1.5¢ (US cents/und).
Table 1: Micronutrients included in Powdered Nutrient Powders (MNPs)
Micronutrient Weight Further Description of Micronutrient
Micronutrient | Weight | Further Description of Micronutrient |
Vitamin A | 400 μg | Vitamin A acetate 250 CWS/A (contains 75 μg Retinol/mg product form) |
Vitamin D3 | 5 μg | Vitamin D3 100 CWS/AM (contains 2.5 μg Vit D/mg product form) |
Vitamin E | 5 mg | TE Vitamin E acetate 50% CWS/S (contains 0.3355 mg TE/mg product form) |
Vitamin B1 | 0.5 mg | Thiamine Mononitrate |
Vitamin B2 | 0.5 mg | Vitamin B2 .5 phosphate Sodium |
Vitamin B6 | 0.5 mg | Pyridoxine hydrochloride |
Vitamin B12 | 0.9 μg | Vitamin B12 0.1% WS |
Folic acid | 150 μg | Folic acid |
Niacinamide | 6 mg | Niacinamide |
Vitamin C | 30 mg | Ascorbic acid fine powder |
Iron | 10 mg | Ferric Fumarate 60% coated |
Zinc | 4.1 mg | Zinc Gluconate |
Copper | 0.56 mg | Copper gluconate |
Selenium | 17 μg | Sodium Selenite |
Iodine | 90 μg | 20 Potassium Iodide |
SiO2 | 0.5 % | Sipernate 22S |
Filler | Ad Up to 1g | Maltodextrin DE 11-14 |
FIVE ELEMENTS CONSIDERED DURING THE NEW PACKAGING DESIGN
- Contents: One (1) gram of Vitamins & Minerals mix (Table 1). Since these contents are sensitive and potentially degradable by light, humidity and heat, the package must provide protection against light, vapor and oxygen.
- Transportation: The packaged contents will be delivered around the globe using different modes of transportation including motor vehicles, airplanes, and sea vessels through a variety of roads and environments. Therefore, the packaging must be resistant enough to protect the product while they are being transported to their destinations (e.g., remote villages).
- Regulations: The packaging must comply with FDA requirements.
- Environmental protection (green): The packaging must be biodegradable or at least recyclable.
- Cost: The package should be as cheap as possible with an upper limit of 1.5¢ (US cents).
PROPOSAL
The improved MNPs new packaging system consists of a Biodegradable food grade double sack (DS) made from two materials: Metallised NatureFlex™ Film NM (for the inner sack) and BL Kraft Paper (BLKP, for the outer sack). This double sack ranges in cost from 0.008¢ to 1.45¢ (US cents) and provides similar or better protection to the MNPs contents than the foil laminate currently in use.
DOUBLE SACK (DS) DESCRIPTION
1. The inner sack to protect the powder mix quality is made from Metallised NatureFlex™ Film NM and manufactured by Innovia Films-USA branch.
Innovia Films offers grades of NatureFlex™ that are metallised. These films have a small amount of aluminum vacuum deposited onto one surface to produce substrates with high luster and sparkle. The addition of the metal layer vastly improves the moisture, gas and UV light barrier, but does not compromise the compostability and renewability aspects of the NatureFlex™ products. The metallised NatureFlex™ films provide an extremely high barrier against moisture, vapor, aromas and gases allowing them to be used for the packaging of hygroscopic foods; the films also provide a barrier against UV/light transmissions. In addition, the films are also suitable for use in lamination and extrusion coating applications.2
Key attributes:2
- Excellent light and UV barrier
- Good moisture barrier
- Excellent gas and aroma barrier
- One side heat sealable
- Anti-static and easy tearing
- Cold seal compatible
- Resistant to oils and greases
- Excellent dead fold characteristics
- Certified as compostable in key biodegradation environments (including anaerobic digestion,
- industrial and home composting)
- Based on renewable resources