Polymers Used for Food & Beverage Packaging

food and beverage products in plastic packaging shot in a supermarket

Industry Analysis

Foreign Materials Contamination in Packaged Foods

How do we assist clients in assuring polymeric materials are safe and sustainable for food packaging?

Food and beverage manufacturers must consider the functionality, versatility, marketability — as well as the sustainability and environmental impacts of their packaging materials. Backed by solid expertise in natural and synthetic plastics, rubbers, adhesives, textiles, coatings, and composite systems, our experts help clients select materials for packaged and bottled goods that meet various performance requirements for non-perishables, microwave or oven-safe cooking, shelf stability, and more.

We evaluate materials with regard to compliance with relevant regulatory standards.

Exponent helps clients ensure polymers meet the latest EPA standards regarding product sustainability and recyclability. We can also identify materials that meet transportation requirements, are biodegradable, or BPA-free, or that meet regional requirements for sustainability or recyclability. Whatever your packaging needs, our consultants work directly with your internal teams and vendors to ensure quality and alignment with your design and product lifecycle goals.

In addition, our polymer and materials scientists have extensive experience in food and beverage regulatory requirements enforced by the Food and Drug Administration in the U.S., Food Standards Agency in the UK, European Food Safety Authority in the EU, and other international regulatory agencies.

CAPABILITIES & SERVICES

Our multidisciplinary teams test and evaluate your product from diverse angles — from product performance and adhesive qualities to paints and coatings to sustainability and recyclability.

When polymer products like rigid food packaging prematurely crack or shatter while in service, Exponent can provide insights into the root cause of failure. Along with a strategic evaluation of degradation and stability of the materials, examining the manner in which a crack initiated and propagated in a fractured part — whether for bottling, packaging, or maintaining food freshness — we can help you assess why a polymer or plastic is breaking and how to mitigate it.
Exponent's experts have extensive experience in studying and advising clients on the structure-property relationships and processing of polymeric material systems. We consult on the development, formulation, scale-up, quality testing, and large-scale industrial manufacturing of polymers and plastics, and we assist clients in all stages of product life from product development to end-use evaluation and long-term field performance.
Exponent guides clients through the development of environmental stewardship initiatives spanning the entire product lifecycle, including design, manufacturing, distribution, and end-of-life recycling and reuse. Our multidisciplinary teams have extensive experience in environmental and ecological sciences and provide regulatory expertise in full — lifecycle product management, helping clients to develop sustainable recycling strategies for all polymer and plastic products.
We support our clients throughout the entire product lifecycle for food, beverage, and packaging materials.
- Food and beverage packaging lifecycle management
- Packaging risk and failure analysis and field testing
- Litigation support, including expert testimony
- Material sustainability planning
- Food contact notification

Our Capabilities Are Unparalelled

With expertise in over 90 disciplines and hundreds of capabilities, tools, and methodologies — we get to the root of even the most complex challenges and give you the objective answers you need.

A worker pours a bag of polymer beads into a manufacturing machine. Exponent provides engineering expertise for polymers and plastics.

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Experts

Our global and comprehensive expertise across industries gives us a deep understanding of current challenges, best industry practices, and the implications of emerging technologies.