US packaging giant Berry Global (Evansville, Indiana; www.berryglobal.com) said it has partnered with Mitsubishi Gas Chemical (MGC, Tokyo, Japan; www.mgc.co.jp/eng), a subsidiary of Japanese chemicals and plastics group Mitsubishi Chemical, to develop a recyclable barrier solution for thermoformed food packaging.

The companies partnered to develop a barrier solution that does not contain ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH), a material that can limit recyclability, impact packaging performance and compatibility, and can be the source of degradation and/or contamination during reprocessing, Berry said.

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The partnership selected MXD6, a high-performance EVOH-free barrier polymer manufactured by MGC that is compatible with the polypropylene recycling stream. Additionally, Berry said the barrier is more compatible with existing reprocessing systems than EVOH.

MGC’s MXD6 barrier coating received Critical Guidance recognition from the US Association of Plastics Recyclers (APR, Washington, DC; www.plasticsrecycling.org). The Japanese company said its barrier polymer is recyclable up to a 12% loading, allowing it to be used in larger percentages as an alternative to EVOH without sacrificing performance, product protection, or sustainability goals.

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Debra Wilson, Material Science Director at Berry’s Consumer Packaging – North America division, said MXD6 maintains food freshness by keeping air out, providing the potential to significantly reduce both food and plastics waste. The recyclable barrier solution can be used for thermoformed plastic tubes, jars, and bottles.