Mars and Danimer Scientific create biodegradable packaging

Mars Wrigley has announced a two-year partnership with biodegradable materials manufacturer Danimer Scientific to develop home compostable packaging.

The confectionery company said the initiative will be first rolled out through the Skittles brand to US consumers between late 2021 and early 2022.

Danimer Scientific’s packaging — Nodax polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) — is produced through natural fermentation processes using plant oils such as soy and canola and biodegrades in both soil and marine environments.

Mars said it will continue to evaluate opportunities to scale the sustainable packaging technology across its portfolio of brands and categories.

“Collaborating with Danimer to advance this breakthrough technology represents a major step to creating positive societal impact and better environmental outcomes across the full lifecycle of small, flexible packaging,” said Alastair Child, Mars Wrigley VP of Global Sustainability.

Danimer Scientific and Mars Wrigley plan to introduce Nodax PHA into flexible and rigid packaging that reliably breaks down in both industrial composting facilities and backyard compost units, offering an enhanced value proposition for environmentally conscious consumers and retailers.

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