Recent reports have revealed that 9.5 million tonnes of food are wasted in the UK alone every year, making it the worst offender in Europe. Globally, 1.05 billion tonnes of food are wasted annually, contributing up to 10 % of global greenhouse gas emissions and costing the global economy trillions.
A major cause of food-waste is ethylene gas, emitted by fruits and vegetables inside the packaging. which accelerates ripening and spoilage during storage and transport. Michael Laurier, CEO at Symphony Environmental Technologies is concerned about this and urges the inclusion of d2p ethylene gas adsorber technology in the manufacture of all food packaging.
"The scale of food waste isn’t just an environmental concern but has become an economic crisis too. Ethylene gas is a silent driver of premature ripening, causing supermarkets and households alike to discard perfectly good food.”
“UK households are discarding billions worth of food annually, while retailers are losing millions in lost revenue and disposal costs. Globally, food waste is a massive contributor to annual greenhouse-gas emissions, making it a climate challenge that cannot be ignored. The COP30 UN Conference 2025 has identified food-waste among six critical areas for delegates to address.”
“Addressing the problem of ethylene by absorbing and trapping it in the packaging is a simple yet dramatically effective way to slow the ripening process - extending shelf life and reducing waste. Supermarkets can keep produce fresher for longer, thus reducing wastage of their stock and helping households to save money long-term.”
Laurier continues, “By embedding d2p masterbatch technology into supply chains at little or no extra cost, we can transform how fresh produce is stored and sold, helping deliver sustainability, profitability, and consumer confidence. We expect the global ethylene-adsorber market to grow over the rest of the decade even more.”
“d2p ethylene-adsorber masterbatches are already available for use across all plastic processing technologies – from extrusion, injection and rotational molding to coating, lamination, woven and non-woven materials. It is easy to incorporate into the packaging, and does not alter the physical, chemical or mechanical properties of the packaging or the food.”
“It is essential for supermarkets, packaging manufacturers and policymakers alike to prioritise d2p ethylene management plastic technologies. We can significantly reduce food waste, cut carbon emissions and deliver big cost savings for retailers and customers.”