Penford Announces Fluorochemical Replacement Platform
November 16 2010 - 5:45PM
Business Wire
Penford Products Co., a division of Penford Corporation (NASDAQ:
PENX), today announced that it is developing and testing novel
technology utilizing natural and renewable ingredients to replace
fluorochemicals used in food packaging applications. Major
producers of food packaging materials are currently testing this
proprietary technology, which is the subject of a pending patent
application.
Fluorochemicals are currently used to provide oil and grease
resistance in the growing market segments of sandwich wraps, fry
scoops and microwave popcorn bags. These petroleum-based chemicals
break down to release perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). Human exposure
to PFOA can result from consumption of food products that have come
in contact with fluorochemical-based coatings. The U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been investigating PFOA
due to its persistence in the environment, presence in the human
blood stream and other adverse effects that PFOA has been shown to
have in laboratory animals (www.epa.gov/oppt/pfoa/).
“We are truly excited with the development of these naturally
derived solutions to address the health and environmental concerns
created by use of traditional fluorochemicals,” said Tom Malkoski,
CEO of Penford Corporation. “This new product platform aligns with
our strategy to create value for our customers by developing
sustainable products to replace petroleum-derived materials.”
Prototype products created with this technology exhibit
performance characteristics at least equivalent to products made
with fluorochemicals. Penford’s technology is designed to be used
in existing food packaging production equipment as a
cost-competitive replacement for fluorochemicals.
About Penford Corporation
Penford Corporation develops, manufactures and markets
specialty, natural-based ingredient systems for a variety of
industrial and food applications. Penford has five manufacturing
and/or research locations in the United States.
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