Sustainability is an extremely debated topic today, encouraging the development of initiatives that generate gains for the environment. In the disposable market it is essential that innovation and environmental awareness go together. And it is this philosophy that guides Copobras business. The national leader in the disposable market, with headquarters in São Ludgero / SC, launches exclusively in South America an innovative and sustainable product throughout its life cycle.
Bio Copobras Tray is the first EPS tray (also known as XPS or Styrofoam) biodegradable world and 100% recyclable. “We are the first manufacturer worldwide to make EPS trays with this revolutionary technology”, declara Mario Schlickmann, president of the Copobras Group.
Go Green P-Life biodegradable additive is added during the production process, that makes the tray completely biodegradable and turns it into water, carbon dioxide and biomass, if discarded in the environment. ”This result is a reflection of an exclusive composition, which reduces the Bio Tray's decomposition time to up to 16 years, which is surprising when compared to the estimated decomposition time of traditional plastics ”, points out the national sales manager EPS of the Copobras Group, Luiz Carlos France. The Bio line is produced exclusively at the São Ludgero plant.
The additive
The Go Green P-life additive is composed of fatty acids derived from palm coconut oil, rare earth and lubricants. It is the first and only biodegradant in the world with international certification. “The additive is approved for use in contact with food and has a shelf life of 2 years. And trays do not need a special place for storage ”, explains France.
100% Recyclable
Bio products can and should be recycled. However, if discarded incorrectly in the environment they will undergo the process of total degradation in up to 16 years. Bio trays must be disposed of with other plastic waste and must not be disposed of with wet / organic waste..
“Copobras' ecological philosophy does not stop there. We have a partnership with cooperatives and a company that does the reverse logistics of the EPS already used to transform them into new products. This partnership already serves large supermarkets and industries ”, informs Copobras Group commercial director, Clóvis Courtesy.
The “Fecha Ciclo” project was awarded on Thursday night, day 20, in Chapecó, with ADVB / SC Citizen Company Award 2017, in the Environmental Preservation category. The initiative has been developed since the end of 2016 and approximately 1.000 kg of egg holders are collected monthly. Collections are carried out at five BRF units and this number will be expanded to include 10 until the end of this year.
Supermarket Networks
Large chains have already started using the Bio Copobras Tray, replacing traditional trays. “The use of biodegradable trays is much more than a trend, it is a reality.
Environmental awareness is fundamental to the evolution of the disposable market worldwide, and Copobras leads this process ”, notes France.
The 100 products of the Bio Copobras line were designed to serve supermarkets, with sizes and colors that organize and sector the gondolas. “White trays are indicated for use in bakery and cold cuts, greens for horticulture, blue for fish, for special cuts of meat, pink for pigs and goats and yellow for chickens. They are also part of the Bio line, the absorbent trays, in white colors, yellow and black, ideal for boneless cuts that release more fluid ”, details the national sales manager.
Complete solution
The exclusive Bio technology is also prepared to serve refrigerators. ”In addition to the trays, Copobras has a biodegradable polyolefin film to wrap them. Thus creating a completely biodegradable solution!”, announces the commercial director.
Cost
The market already offered some ecological tray options, like cassava starch and sugar cane bagasse. However,, the cost of these products was an impediment for the vast majority of supermarkets.
“The Bio Copobras tray is a great innovation for a balanced price, that has a great impact on our customers' business ”, points out France.
Importance of innovation and sustainability
At the Copobras Group, sustainability is widely practiced and committed to the future. The company promotes a sustainable relationship with the communities in which it operates and with its stakeholders.
Besides that, meets NBR ISO 9001:2008, NBR THAT 14.001 and is one of the only companies in Brazil certified by NBR ISSO 22.000, food safety standard that guarantees the origin and hygiene of the packaging that is in contact with food.
“We invest in innovation, always guided by our environmental responsibility. Plastic simplified modern life, brought solutions for people's daily lives and it needs to be disposed of correctly. For this, we invest in awareness. Our ‘Fecha Ciclo’ project is an example of this. But, if the product is disposed of in the environment, it turns into biomass. It's innovative, revolutionary and sustainable. We continue to follow my father's philosophy, Aloísio Schlickmann, to seek to see the business always ahead ”, concludes the group president.
The Copobras Group
Copobras is one of the brands of the Copobras Group and leader in the disposable market in Brazil. With 9 production units in 5 industrial plants, strategically positioned in the country, effectively serves large distributors, supermarket networks, industries, hospitals and restaurants.
Copobras has a strong and recognized brand in the market, being the most remembered in the PPR award and the favorite among APAS supermarkets.
