Company said it is reinforcing its commitment to sustainability through continued innovation and collaboration in the fresh produce industry
Dr M Scott Howarth, director of research and development at Sinclair, recently shared updates on the company’s progress in developing environmentally responsible labelling solutions, with a particular focus on the company’s certified compostable T55 PLU sticker.
As part of its ongoing industry engagement, Sinclair also participated in CPMA’s Learning Lounge panel discussion, “Sustainability’s Shifting Landscape”, where Howarth joined fellow experts to discuss the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of sustainability in fresh produce.
The T55 PLU sticker has been over 17 years in development and is certified for both home and industrial composting. Ongoing partnerships with customers such as Zespri helped with its trial and development.
This was key to developing the sticker’s application and adhesion performance, which is equivalent to conventional PE/PP PLU stickers.
“At Sinclair, we believe that sustainable innovation must be practical, scalable and supported by rigorous certification,” said Wil Murray, senior director of operations at Sinclair.
“T55 label is a major milestone in our mission to provide environmentally responsible solutions that meet the real-world needs of our customers and their consumers.”
To ensure global applicability and compliance, Sinclair works closely with regulatory bodies and international certification organisations. The T55 PLU sticker has achieved multiple certifications, including: EN 13432 (European compostable packaging standards); NFT 51-800 (France); and AS5810-2010 (Australia).
These certifications provide assurance to retailers, producers and consumers that the product meets internationally recognised compostable standards.
The adoption of compostable materials remains closely linked to the availability of supporting infrastructure and the pace of legislative developments across markets. Sinclair said it continues to monitor regulatory trends and collaborate with industry stakeholders to advocate for the development of composting facilities and policies that support the wider use of compostable packaging.
In addition to production innovation, Sinclair is focused on raising awareness and supporting the transition to sustainable packaging within the fresh produce sector.
By providing guidance to stakeholders and promoting clear communication through the value chain, the company aims to contribute more informed decision-making and a broader understanding of the role that compostable solutions can play in reducing packaging waste.
