Dairy company Danone has begun a major transition towards the use of bioplastics on its packaging, mainly for yoghurts, in an effort to reduce its environmental impact. These eco-friendly packages are already being used in several European and Latin American markets as part of its strategy to become a more sustainable company.
The material used in these containers is called I'm Green, an eco-friendly plastic made from sugar cane, developed by the Brazilian company Braskem. This material, in addition to being of plant origin, is 100% recyclable, making it a much more sustainable option than traditional petroleum-derived plastics.
First in France, now throughout Europe and Latin America
The first products to adopt this packaging were the brand's liquid yoghurt and children's desserts. At the beginning of this year, Danone began to implement this packaging in France, and after an excellent acceptance by consumers, they expanded their use to other countries such as Belgium and Brazil. In addition, in Germany, Danone uses another type of eco-friendly plastic in its products, reflecting its commitment to sustainability in different markets.
The green bioplastic packaging, which does not affect the taste or quality of the product, includes a seal that says “I'm Green” so that consumers can easily identify that they are purchasing a product that cares about the environment.
The commitment to the circular economy
The implementation of these packages is part of a broader strategy by Danone to reduce its carbon footprint by 30% in the coming years. This goal is part of its transition towards a circular economy, that is, keeping products and materials in use for as long as possible, and when their useful life ends, reincorporating them into the production chain or managing them in a way that does not generate waste.
Danone's circular economy is based on four fundamental pillars:
- Reuse: Replacing polystyrene (PS) packaging with materials that allow recycling on a large scale.
- Redesign: Following design standards for recyclability, ensuring that packaging is easily recyclable.
- Reduction: Seeking to eliminate unnecessary components such as plastic spoons, replacing them with alternatives such as wood.
- Recycling: Collaborating with the industry and entities such as Ecoembes to improve the recyclability of products and achieve the “second life” of these containers.
Danone and its commitment to bioplastics
Danone has made bold choices regarding the packaging of its products to align with its commitment to sustainability. In Germany, for example, the company led the market by using cups made from polylactic acid (PLA), a bioplastic derived from renewable resources with lower environmental impact.
According to Danone experts, the adoption of bioplastics is crucial to reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, as packaging contributes between 15% and 20% of the food industry's total emissions. Therefore, replacing conventional plastics with alternatives such as PLA is a key strategic decision for the company.
Furthermore, studies have shown that consumers not only accept but also positively value Danone's efforts to opt for more sustainable packaging. This has been key to continuing to extend the use of bioplastics to other products and countries.
The future of sustainable packaging at Danone
By 2025, Danone has committed to making 100% of its packaging recyclable, reusable or compostableThis ambitious goal is aligned with its vision of being a leader in sustainability within the food sector and contributing to the fight against plastic waste.
One of the recent achievements has been the transformation of the packaging of danacol. This iconic product has undergone a complete redesign of its packaging to make use of recyclable plastics, eliminating plastic PET labels and using embossing directly on the bottle. This has allowed the company to save more than 130.000 kilograms of plastic per year, demonstrating its firm commitment to reducing waste.
Danone has also received awards for these innovations. For example, Ainia’s prestigious recognition for ‘Rigid Packaging Solutions’ highlights its efforts to improve sustainability in the food packaging sector. In collaboration with suppliers, Danone is working hard to ensure that all its products have packaging that is not only recyclable, but also minimises the use of virgin plastics.
The impact of bioplastics on the global market
The bioplastics market has evolved significantly in recent years. In addition to Danone, other major companies such as Coca-Cola and Pepsi have opted to replace conventional plastics with more sustainable alternatives. This has generated a significant push for the development of new technologies and cost optimisation in the production of packaging using renewable materials.
As these companies continue to lead the charge toward a future less dependent on fossil resources, demand for bioplastics is expected to continue to grow exponentially. However, for these materials to truly thrive, recycling and composting infrastructure needs to continue to improve.
Finally, the future of the bioplastics It is promising. The trend towards sustainability is here to stay, and companies like Danone are showing that it is possible to combine a commitment to the environment without compromising product quality or profitability. The most important challenge in the coming years will be to implement solutions that allow bioplastics to compete economically with conventional plastics and to be fully integrated into the circular economy.