From: PackagingNews

Retailers and packers are seeking more sustainable and novel solutions in poultry packaging, according to Linpac.

Alan Davey, Innovation Director, at the fresh food packaging manufacturer said innovation in poultry packaging is driving change in the sector as European packers and retailers look for new solutions to maximise sales.

Traditionally, polypropylene (PP) has been the material of choice for poultry packaging in several parts of Europe, but limitations in terms of its environmental credentials, barrier performance and shelf appeal have resulted in increased demand for Rfresh PET packaging.

Davey said: “Changing consumer lifestyles and heightened awareness of environmental issues, such as food and packaging waste, are behind this shift from PP to Rfresh PET packaging.

“PET has been a popular choice for poultry packaging for some time but the full range of benefits that the material has over PP are only just beginning to be recognised by packers and retailers. Beyond the aesthetic benefits given by PET’s clarity and sparkle, lie environmental credentials and much better gas barrier performance. But PET also introduces greater production efficiencies to packing lines.”

Trays manufactured using rPET laminated to PE can be sealed at reduced temperatures in comparison to PP trays and as a result use less energy. For example, to seal 70 million PP trays at 200°C requires 196,000kWh of energy compared to 131,000kWh to seal the same number of rPET/PE trays at 150°C.

Environmentally, rPET fulfils the criteria for creating a circular economy by conserving resources and reducing waste. At Linpac, a wide range of PET/PE and rPET/PE poultry trays are manufactured that are fully compatible with existing packing and sealing lines and available with complementary lidding films, offering customers a high performing complete pack solution.

Linpac said its Rfresh Elite solution from LINPAC is ‘the ultimate sustainable solution for poultry packaging’. The novel design uses a patented sealant on the tray flange to create a secure seal with the lidding film, removing the industry standard laminated PE base film and creating an rPET tray which is recyclable at the end of its service life just like a PET bottle.