Danone Deutschland (Haar / Germany; www.danone.de) – a member of the Danone Group (Paris / France; www.danone.com) – has switched its popular “Activia” yogurt containers from polystyrene to PLA. The PLA used by Danone is a specific product from NatureWorks (Minnetonka, Minnesota / USA; www.natureworksllc.com), marked under the brand name “Ingeo”. The new container, developed in cooperation with World Wildlife Fund Deutschland (WWF, Berlin / Germany; www.wwf.de), requires 43% less fossil feedstocks and has a climate balance that is 25% better than that of PS. “The Activia packaging is an excellent example of international collaboration for a smarter consumer product and one we are proud to showcase as an international best practice example,” says NatureWorks chief executive officer, Marc Verbruggen. “NatureWorks worked closely with Danone and WWF, not only to supply the material solution, Ingeo, but also to rigorously address questions and provide data around the entire supply chain from field to product. Now we’re continuing our collaboration to create a new option for recovery of the package after use.” Together, NatureWorks, Danone and WWF are working to achieve the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) for the new Activia packaging. The ISCC seal assures that the entire supply chain for the Ingeo raw materials meets rigorous social and environmental criteria.

Danone Deutschland said it would initially switch all Activia yogurt containers – which constitute 80% of the entire Activia portfolio – to PLA, with plans to subsequently add other Activia products as well.