Multisorb Technologies, the global leader in active packaging solutions, has received the 2008 IFT Food Expo Innovation Award for the development of its active oxygen barrier enhancement technology, featuring FreshBlend^™ as an effective oxygen scavenging material.  FreshBlend is a resin-bonded oxygen scavenging system that makes possible efficient new designs for packaging materials to enhance oxygen barrier properties, lengthen shelf life of food and beverages, and maintain product and brand integrity.

The 2008 IFT Food Expo Innovation Awards honor outstanding innovation in products, equipment, instrumentation, technology, and services. As one of four recipients, Multisorb was granted this award after a panel of nine jurors reviewed 46 entries based on degree of innovation, technical advancement, benefit to food manufacturers and/or consumers, and scientific merit.

The award was presented today to Dr. Stanislav Solovyov, Principal Scientist of Multisorb Technologies at the IFT Food Expo opening keynote session.

“This industry recognition underscores our ongoing commitment to providing innovative active packaging solutions that serve the needs of the global food and beverage markets,” says James Renda, Executive Vice President and COO of Multisorb.

FreshBlend is an iron-based oxygen scavenger composed of materials suitable for food contact.  In masterbatch form compounded for each specific application, it can be used in molded, sheeted, thermoformed, or film applications.  In some cases, use of FreshBlend allows a monolayer barrier to replace a multilayer structure, making the packaging  more economical and easier to recycle.  Furthermore, it can potentially permit the use of thinner gauge materials or replace expensive passive barrier materials, helping to reduce the carbon footprint of the package.

FreshBlend has a relatively high reactivity with permeating oxygen, resulting in the formation of a packaging material that prevents oxidative degradation and extends product shelf life.  It can be customized to meet individual product demands depending on packaging format and product preservation requirements.