AMB enhances meat tray recycling with mono-PET film European launch

03 Nov 2020 --- Italian packaging provider AMB is bringing easily-recyclable mono-PET high barrier film solutions to European meat producers as part of an “all-in-one” packaging service.

Mono-PET bottom films provide high barrier protection without ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) and can be combined with floatable lidding peel film or a mono-PET top to create eco-friendly meat trays.

The company says its increased capacity, new design and use of mono-PET ensure cost, waste and emissions reductions.

“Mono-PET reduces the complexity of otherwise multi-layered material, which enables easier recycling and allows for a circular economy,” an AMB spokesperson tells PackagingInsights.

The mono-PET can also increase tray strength by up to 93 percent and reduce weight by 20 percent, AMB indicates.

Single site serving
The “all-in-one” design helps improve efficiency and waste reduction by producing all elements of packaging from a single site. 

“From conceptualization to final tooling and film solution, our new design allows us to ‘bake in’ the most cost-effective and sustainable process,” the spokesperson explains. 

The company claims that by using mono-PET and bringing all of its packaging services onto one site, the product’s speed to market, simplicity, and environmental sustainability are enhanced.

Customers can also opt for varying degrees of recycled PET (rPET), up to 100 percent.

AMB’s increased capacity, new design and use of mono-PET ensure cost, waste and emissions reductions.“All-in-one” approach
AMB’s “all-in-one” concept provides concept design, tool manufacturing, product specifications, print design and applications in one service, from one source.

Consolidating these services, which are usually offered individually, allows AMB to reduce costs substantially, it claims.

The consolidation also enables “flexible thinking” at various production points to make ad hoc adjustments and further improve cost efficiency.

“This approach provides AMB with a complete overview and deep knowledge of our customers’ business and the markets our customers serve. It allows for feedback, new ideas and clever thinking to create a more streamlined process,” notes Giles Peacock, AMB’s COO.

Enhanced operations efficiency
Supply chain delays decrease and operations become more efficient through the “all-in-one” approach. This, in turn, has a positive impact on both costs and customer service, the company claims.

The concept has been trialed in collaboration with an Italian ham producer. The producer's products were tested for issues and then altered to reduce plastics and improve shelf life. 

AMB experts supplied the new pack design, including all improvements, and the tool manufacturing to implement the new [mono-PET] design.Mono-PET is an eco-design compliant with all EU recycling guidelines.

The trial resulted in €360,000 (US$421,000) material cost savings per year, a 20 percent reduction in weight and a 93 percent load test improvement, with no impediment to the ongoing thermoforming packing process.

Mono-PET 
Besides reducing costs, AMB says switching to mono-plastics will keep its customers on track to meet mounting EU regulations on plastic waste. 

The company points to stipulations in the European Strategy for Plastics in a Circular Economy requiring all packaging to be fully recyclable by 2030. 

“We don’t see many real credible alternatives to plastic today that have both the required functionality or scale to meet market requirements,” AMB concludes.

By Louis Gore-Langton