Page 37 - Packaging News May-June 2021

May-June 2021 | www.packagingnews.com.au INNOVATION & DESIGN | COLD CHAIN
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with insulating air pockets created between the webbed knops.
“The wool that makes up Vaccine Protector’s insulation component, is nature’s own smart fibre, outper- forming any synthetically made fibre on the market,” says Joanne Howarth, talking with the authority borne out of total immersion in the Woolpack product development for over four years.
“Nature intended that wool would keep sheep warm in winter and cool in summer; we have simply utilised the principles of biomimicry and lev- eraged the thermal properties of wool to create an alternative to harmful expanded polystyrene products,” Howarth says.
The wool liner, she explains, is made from coarse, “non-textile grade” waste wool. This is the wool with the highest crimp factor and medullation, characteristics which lend themselves to greater insula- tion properties.
When transporting frozen vac- cines, which must maintain strict temperature profiles and stability, the hygroscopic wool fibres absorb moisture from the air, creating a ther- mal barrier and minimising conden- sation from within the payload.
“Beyond thermal credentials, our wool knops provide a protective cushion to safeguard products,” Howarth adds.
The wool liner is made of 100 per cent natural wool, a fully renewable resource that is biodegradable, sus- tainable, natural and compostable. PPP uses ‘waste’ wool that is too coarse to produce comfortable clothing and will not absorb dyes and so would usu- ally be consigned to landfill – a wasted economic opportunity.
The wool is scoured, naturally washed with soap and hot water (no toxic additives) and processed using a propriety method that provides a sterile, consistent ‘knop’ product with optional insulation properties.
The liner is then cut to size for the customer’s desired corrugated carton size requirements.
The second component, the metal- lised polyethylene film, integrates a radiant barrier within the Vaccine Protector, and distinguishes this
product from PPP’s standard phar- maceutical range.
“This combination of both radiant and convective heat barrier is key to the innovation PPP’s Vaccine Protector brings to the transportation of frozen vaccines,” Scarfe explains, noting that this material has been chosen for its wide recyclability across Australia, through the REDcycle program for soft plastics.
Bringing the Vaccine Protector’s sustainability credentials full circle, the third component, the corrugated carton, is made from 50 per cent recy- cled fibreboard content, reducing the need for virgin material. The carton can be recycled via commercial kerb- side recycling infrastructure.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR PPP
Vaccine Protector joins a range of innovation already commercialised by PPP, much of it for the food export market. As this article goes to press, PPP is headed to Tasmania, where along with customer TasFoods it will showcase Woolpack at the Agfest show in Hobart in early May.
As a next step in the company’s expansion plans, it is soon to set up shop in Tasmania, supported by a Boosting Female Founders Grant.
“We have just secured premises for a warehouse facility adjacent to the Launceston Airport, from which it is the intention to service the entire Tasmanian market,” Howarth tells PKN.
PPP will be working with the Brand Tasmania organisation, which is keen to leverage the opportunities around sustainable packaging as a way of differentiating the premium Tasmanian product.
Asked where to next for the
LEFT: Perfect timing: Vaccine Protector was designed for the temperature- controlled distribution of frozen vaccines and medicines.
ABOVE: Even in Australian conditions, wool is a ‘proven performer’ to keep frozen vaccines safe during transit.
company after Tasmania, Howarth says, “We’re heading south to wine country, the Barossa Valley”.
The plan is to set up close to wine- makers as the company prepares to debut its new Wine Protector range in late 2021.
“This range is designed to provide tailored solutions for both domestic and export shipping, anywhere from small gifting ranges to large pallet transportation,” she explains.
Intent on expanding its horizons beyond Australian borders, PPP is also looking at a launch in Asia, probably in 2022.
“We’re currently checking market entry feasibility for Indonesia and Singapore, where we’d be looking for distribution partners; and we’re in discussions with a distribution part- ner in Korea,” Howarth says.
To fund these ambitious plans, the company is in the process of a capital raise for at least $6 million. It has opened a data room to a range of pri- vate, institutional and impact inves- tors spanning the globe.
“While pen has not hit paper just quite yet, we are confident we have found a major partner with whom we can rapidly expand and increase our impact,” Howarth says.
It is Howarth’s unwavering com- mitment, and the passionate desire on the part of her team to make a posi- tive impact when it comes to protect- ing the planet from the ravages of polystyrene, that has brought the company thus far on its journey and will no doubt fuel its growth as its footprint expands. ■
With reports emerging of vaccine wastage across the world, there has been an increased focus on alternate, distribution methods.”
— Bernadette Scarfe,
head of pharma, PPP