EVOH & Nestlé’s "Carbon-Neutral Ice Cream" – Unveiling the Cutting-Edge Technology Behind Sustainable Packaging
In 2023, Nestlé launched the world’s first carbon-neutral ice cream, reducing carbon emissions across the entire supply chain—from raw material sourcing and production to transportation and packaging recycling. At the heart of this breakthrough is EVOH high-barrier co-extruded film, which addresses the sustainability challenges of frozen food packaging through superior freshness preservation and recyclable design.
Challenges: The Limitations of Traditional Packaging
（1) Aluminum-Plastic Composite Film: Offers strong barrier properties but is non-recyclable and has a high carbon footprint (3.8 tons of CO₂ emissions per ton produced).
(2) Conventional Plastic Films: Recyclable but suffer from poor oxygen barrier performance (OTR > 50cc/m²·day), leading to oxidation of ice cream fats and a 30% reduction in shelf life.
EVOH’s Solution: Three Key Technological Breakthroughs
(1) Bio-Based EVOH Resin: Carbon Reduction at the Source
Utilizes 30% bio-based raw materials to replace petroleum-derived ethylene, reducing 1.2 tons of CO₂ emissions per ton of resin.
Certified by ISCC PLUS mass balance certification, seamlessly integrating with Nestlé’s carbon-neutral accounting system.
(2) Five-Layer Co-Extruded Film Design
Outer Layer: Nylon (30% higher puncture resistance)
Middle Layer: EVOH polymer (Oxygen transmission rate < 2cc/m²·day)
Inner Layer: Modified PE (Withstands -50°C, food-contact safe)
Overall Thickness Reduction: 20% – decreasing material usage while enhancing oxygen barrier performance by 40%.
Performance Validation: Extended Freshness & Improved Logistics Efficiency
(1) At -18°C storage, ice cream fat oxidation (TBARS) is 62% lower than traditional packaging.
(2) Shelf life extended from 12 months to 18 months, with transportation spoilage reduced by 45%.
(3) Lightweight packaging leads to an 18% reduction in cold chain energy consumption (measured data: cost savings of ¥0.73 per transported box).
The success of Nestlé’s carbon-neutral ice cream reinforces EVOH plastic’s indispensable role in sustainable packaging. As an EVOH pellets supplier, we remain at the forefront of innovation, helping more companies achieve a win-win balance between environmental responsibility and commercial success.
