LIFE CAN’T DO WITHOUT NATURE AND PLASTICS – FMCG GOODS

FMCG goods, more commonly known as Fast Moving Consumer Goods include products that are of low cost and sell quickly. They are also called consumer packaged goods – these products usually have a short shelf life and are used by everyone daily. Milk, dairy, meat, baked food, vegetables, and beverages are priced low and sold in large quantities. These products have a high sales volume with a low-profit margin. One of the biggest challenges of these products is the packaging while maintaining its freshness for an extended period.

Since the invention of plastic/polymer in 1907, it has seen applications in multiple industries over the decades. The unique property of plastic makes it particularly conducive for packaging food items and keeping them fresh for longer periods. Whether it’s a cereal box, milk packet, vegetable, fruits, or meat; chances are you will find them neatly packed in plastic-based packaging every time. In the modern era, much of our technology and everything else we do in our daily lives involves plastic products in some form or the other. Food packaging in particular is fully dependent on the technology that manufactures plastic for this specific purpose.

One particular challenge this has raised for most of us is the management of plastic waste. Plastic waste has become a global threat to the environment and inefficient waste management systems have amplified it. This is particularly worse in developing and underdeveloped countries. Plastic can take anything between decades to a few hundred years to fully decompose which is way too long – and the rate at which plastic waste is piled, it does not paint a very pretty picture. On the other hand, the modern world will pretty much come to a standstill without the usage of plastic and other allied products. This also includes FMCG products which require plastic to keep the food safe and fresh until it’s consumed – a bit of a Catch-22 situation here!

Countries across the globe have recognised this challenge and have taken conscious steps to minimise the use of plastic wherever possible while finding more effective means to get rid of plastic waste. The solutions range from methods to decompose plastic waste, find alternative substances to plastic, devise new products that limit plastic usage, and also collaborate among countries to tackle plastic waste. One of the most effective and long-lasting solutions to counter this problem came with the invention of biodegradable additive masterbatch in the 60s. A masterbatch is a granular-shaped additive that contains various chemical components or colour pigments to impart specific properties to the plastic during the manufacturing process. These properties can range from improving its physical structure to providing specific texture or colour, and other chemical properties that determine its overall applicability based on the manufacturer’s requirement. These masterbatches can also be formulated to degrade gradually once it is discarded or left in the open within a few years. What makes it truly unique is that the biodegradable additive masterbatch will not affect the plastics’ performance and productivity while it is being used. Countries across the globe have undertaken the initiative to make this mandatory and various quality regulations have also been enacted to keep this effective. The solution to the challenge of plastic waste is not merely by stopping the use of plastic – it lies in how well we can manage waste and find alternatives to plastic wherever possible. Last but not the least, a robust system that encourages companies to engage in the production and distribution of biodegradable additive masterbatches to help them deliver quality products with a solid incentive for their efforts. 

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