Danimer Scientific and global food and beverage company PepsiCo Inc. have announced an agreement that includes the development of Danimer Scientifics’ biodegradable film resins to meet the sustainable flexible packaging requirements of PepsiCo’s global food and beverage business.

The agreement builds on a longstanding relationship that has included the development of bio-based compostable packaging for PepsiCo’s snack brands and will facilitate the expansion of Danimer Scientific’s NodaxTM PHA plant.

In October 2016, PepsiCo announced its 2025 sustainability agenda, which includes the intent to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across its value chain and design 100 percent of its packaging to be recoverable or recyclable. This goal is part of PepsiCo’s decade-long Performance with Purpose initiative to deliver top-tier financial performance over the long term by integrating sustainability into its business strategy.

The collaboration is also expected to help expedite PepsiCo’s transition to packaging that is completely biodegradable for their snack food portfolio by incorporating NodaxTM PHA bioplastic into some of its next-generation snacks packaging.

“From the start, PepsiCo has taken a holistic approach to our sustainability work,” says PepsiCo vice chairman and chief scientific officer Mehmood Khan. “Our first objective is achieving long-term profitability and that requires sustainable solutions to grow our business while minimizing our environmental impact. Our plan to scale Danimer Scientifics’ technology is a step toward achieving both our greenhouse gas emission reduction and our recoverable and recyclable packaging goals.”

Danimer Scientific’s NodaxTM PHA is a naturally occurring biopolymer produced by microbial bacteria as they ferment organically sourced oils. Produced using renewable biomass, NodaxTM PHA is both sustainably sourced and proven to be capable of replacing many short-term use petroleum-based plastics for both performance and price. Traditional plastics are manufactured from chemicals obtained from mined crude oil or natural gas sources.  

NodaxTM PHA received the first ever OK Marine Biodegradable certification from Vincotte International, validating that the biopolymer safely biodegrades in saltwater environments, leaving no toxins behind. All of Danimer Scientifics’ biopolymers are FDA approved for food contact.

“Danimer Scientifics’ partnership with PepsiCo marks a significant milestone as we continue to expand our biopolymer technology to provide innovative bioplastic solutions to a wider range of applications and products,” says Danimer Scientific’s CEO, Stephen Croskrey. “We’ve been developing a relationship with PepsiCo for the last seven years, and as one of the largest food and beverage companies in the world, their commitment to limiting the environmental impacts of their products can actuate real change in the way of sustainability.” 

Danimer Scientific
(229) 243-7075; www.danimerscientific.com 

PepsiCo Inc.
(800) 433-2652; www.pepsico.com