Europe’s leading multi-material packaging manufacturer, LINPAC Packaging, is launching a ground-breaking super-lightweight mono-material tray for meat and poultry at FachPack 2012 later this month (September 25–27, Nuremburg, Germany, Stand 635, Hall 9).
The novel Rfresh® Elite range of rPET trays use a sealant on their flanges to create a secure seal with the lidding film, thus removing the industry standard laminated PE base film. The patent-pending trays are 100% recyclable at the end of their service life.
The unique sealing system, which has been in development by the scientists at LINPAC Packaging for the past two years, has undergone a series of successful trials with leading packers and food manufacturers and is being rolled out across certain tray sizes from October 2012.
During trials the trays consistently outperformed competitors in seal-line performance, in terms of packs-a-minute, strength-to-weight ratio and performance (leakers) – matching the conventional performance expected of a PET/PE solution.
The new Rfresh® Elite trays have been developed in conjunction with LINPAC Packaging’s lightweighting programme, which was established to reduce significantly the overall weight and carbon footprint of some trays, while ensuring they maintain their excellent performance and functionality levels.
Alan Davey, Director of Innovation at LINPAC Packaging, explained: “The removal of the PE base film reduces the tray’s weight by up to 3% – but our lightweighting programme is delivering significant reductions, in excess of 10%. Through innovative creative design, investment in improving manufacturing systems and advanced engineering skills, LINPAC Packaging is now producing trays that are significantly lighter than previous designs. This leads to considerable carbon footprint reductions for manufacturers, customers and consumers. In short, through process and product innovation, we have been able to cut carbon significantly while retaining operational efficiency and product integrity.”
The ingenious sealing system can be removed in the hot-wash process employed by Europe’s PET recycling companies – meaning that a recycled Rfresh Elite tray will yield 100% crystal clear PET after recycling, in the same way as a clear bottle. This benefits the packaging and food retailing industries by meeting the targets set by the European Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive.
The Rfresh Elite’s new sealant is transparent and food-contact approved. Seal strength and seal-through-contamination is equal to current trays, and it is considered a lock-seal. Packaging line speeds are also consistent with existing tray solutions and processes. The recycled material used in their manufacture goes through LINPAC Packaging’s food grade super cleaning system to ensure it exceeds food safety regulations. The food packaging company’s recycling processes are also expected to become EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) approved in the near future.
Adam Barnett, Vice President Sales at LINPAC Packaging, added: “The new Rfresh Elite product range demonstrates just how ‘fresh thinking’ is at the heart of our company. We are at the forefront of developing innovative and novel packaging solutions for our customers and constantly making increasingly important inroads into product, material and manufacturing innovations. These are translating into products that not only improve protective qualities, increase shelf-life and enhance presentation, but also have a much lower carbon footprint at every stage of their life cycle.
“Consumers are demanding that retailers produce more efficient packaging, both in terms of weight and environmental impact, and at LINPAC Packaging we are leading the packaging industry in new developments that address these demands and more.”
For further information about LINPAC Packaging products please visit www.linpacpackaging.com.
FachPack takes place on 25–27 September 2012 at Nuremburg Messe, Germany. LINPAC will be on Stand 635 in Hall 9.
LINPAC Packaging's novel Rfresh Elite rPET trays eliminate the industry standard laminated PE base film...
