A WorldStar recognition for Huhtamaki

Published on: 10/30/2003 Huhtamaki, the Finnish-based consumer packaging specialist with worldwide operations, has gained a WorldStar recognition in the annual packaging competition organized by the World Packaging Organization. WorldStar recognitions are awarded only to packaging solutions that have already won a national or regional packaging competition. After the first recognition the concepts are compared with similar packaging from around the world. WorldStars are then awarded to packaging that, in the Jury's view, represents the absolute top in its class. Huhtamaki participated with three concepts previously prized in the respective national or regional competitions. WorldStar winner: Slice Trays Customer: Huhtahyvät Slice trays are polypropylene trays, heat-sealed with a barrier film and meant for sliced meat, ham and cheese. The lid is reclosable and the slices can be served directly from the tray. The pack has a Euro-hanger for vertical hanging display. This concept is also modified atmosphere (MAP) applicable, enabling a shelf life of up to 16-20 days. The Slice Trays provide a hygienic, reclosable option for all high quality cold cut producers and come in two different depths: 50 mm and 26 mm. Good denesting of trays and lids is part of the convenience for the packers. The Scandinavian jury recognized this concept especially for its consumer friendliness. They saw that a tray with a tight reclosable lid enables table serving and protects the product after opening as well as displays the meat slices nicely, is sturdy and runs well on automated packaging lines. Further Huhtamaki WorldStar entries were: Bouillon Mono film wrapper (German packaging award) Customer: Maggi Soup Cube, Nestlé Africa The new wrap is made of mono film, providing an environmentally friendly solution compared to the multi-layer materials commonly used. The new film replaces a laminate of different materials and enables aluminum substitution. To fulfil high standards and to avoid the risks of delaminations, the unnecessary contact of the product filling with either hotmelt or lamination wax is avoided. Printing as a standardized process allows several design possibilities and the sealing medium is applied inline. Thanks to the insertion of a new sealing medium, a better density is achieved. These combined offer single selling options. Pick-and-mix candy cup (Scanstar winner) Customer: Karkkikatu (Leaf) This is a new solution for selling pick-and-mix candy. The customer chooses a carton cup of suitable size, picks the candies, closes the snap-on-lid and pays. There is no need for weighing, since the cups are preprinted with barcodes. The concept saves consumers' time and retailers' work and cost by eliminating the scale.