Innovia Films has announced that Ocean’s Halo Seaweed Chips is using its bio-based NatureFlex packaging. This flexible packaging material is derived from sustainable wood pulp, offers excellent barriers to oxygen and moisture and is certified compostable, officials say.

When looking at packaging options, Ocean’s Halo felt that the package should reflect the company’s core values while also providing superior protection for its product. In order to maintain the crunch of the chips it was critical to guard against moisture vapor. A high barrier to oxygen was also necessary to extend shelf life. Furthermore, the packaging needed to match the Ocean’s Halo brand identity. 

Ocean’s Halo seaweed chips is the first product from New Frontier Foods Inc. The Bay Area-based natural foods company was started in Burlingame, Calif., by four dads. The founders of Ocean’s Halo seaweed chips are on a mission to create a chip nutritious enough for the produce aisle, but delicious enough for the snack aisle. Made from only sustainably grown seaweed and other natural ingredients, Ocean’s Halo seaweed chips are organic, baked, packed with vitamins and minerals, and are free of genetically modifies organisms, trans fats and artificial ingredients. 

Robert Mock, co-founder of Ocean’s Halo states, “We were introduced to the Innovia Films’ compostable packaging alternative, NatureFlex, by Genpak, a leading food packing company with manufacturing locations in both the US and Canada.  Over the past two years, we have built a great partnership with Genpak to bring our products to market with not only high-quality material, but also with a like-minded approach to the environment.”

Mike Shim, another co-founder of Ocean’s Halo, adds, “When we were faced with packaging choices, we were 100 percent committed to choosing compostable bags because it’s the right thing to do.  Health and sustainability is one of our pledges to our customers and compostable bags are an integral part of that pledge.”

Bill Reilly, the development manager with Genpak, says developing the actual package involved some challenges.

 “Our challenge was to develop a structure that provides excellent barrier properties and works well on the packaging equipment,” he says. “Oceans Halo, Innovia and Genpak worked together closely to develop this functional and completely compostable structure.”

Christopher Tom, a sales executive with Innovia Films, was also involved in the project. 

“We are proud to work with forward-thinking brands and packaging converters and help them reach their collective sustainability objectives,” says Tom. 

Ocean’s Halo seaweed chips are currently available at select Whole Foods Markets in the Northeast, Midwest, North Atlantic and the Bay Area; HEB stores in Texas; Sprouts on the West Coast, Southwest, and Midwest; 340 Safeway and Vons stores across California; a variety of independent markets and all nine locations of leading Texas grocery chain, Central Market. Ocean’s Halo is also available nationwide at Amazon.com. 

Ocean’s Halo Seaweed Chips are available in five gluten-free flavors: Chili Lime, Sea Salt, Korean BBQ, Hot & Spicy, and Texas BBQ. 

Innovia Films
(877) 822-3456
www.innoviafilms.com