Cascades rolls out fully recycled thermoformed cardboard food tray in “North American first”

02 Oct 2020 --- Recycled fiber packaging supplier Cascades is launching a 100 percent recycled and recyclable thermoformed cardboard tray for fresh food using automated equipment in the North America market.

The thermoformed tray delivers a unique innovative food packaging solution developed in line with circular economy principles.

The tray is composed of 100 percent recycled fibers, mostly sourced from post-consumer sources, and certified “Recycled” by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).

“We have always believed that eco-responsibility and performance can go hand-in-hand,” says Luc Langevin, president and chief operating officer of Cascades Specialty Products Group.

“This product accomplishes both: it is a high-performance solution for food packaging, which at the same time helps conserve resources. Our goal is to pursue, along with our customers, a large-scale transformation of food packaging for the benefit of the environment.”

This Cascades Fresh packaging is primarily intended for food producers and processors, in particular for meat, poultry, fish, fresh fruit and vegetables.

The packaging complies with Health Canada and US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requirements for direct food contact.

Recycled with ease
The cardboard tray is designed with a patented water-based coating that protects it from moisture without compromising the cardboard’s recyclability. 

Unlike traditional containers coated with a thin layer of plastic or other non-recyclable coatings, Cascades’ food tray is easily recyclable via household recycling bins. 

Its SurfSHIELD water-based coating also helps preserve the integrity and freshness of food, reducing food waste.

The solution joins the range of cardboard trays launched by Cascades in 2019. It sets itself apart by using thermoforming, which gives it an optimal design for automated food packaging without compromising on equipment performance.

The tray’s rigidity has been rigorously tested to ensure the tray is compatible with automatic unstacking and works on high-speed systems. Its large stacking capacity speeds up filling and optimizes transport and storage.

Scaling up eco-friendly F&B packaging
Highly recyclable and versatile, paper-based packaging are among the most highly sought after solutions in the sphere of F&B environmental sustainability.

In this space, DS Smith and Multivac teamed up to design and produce ECO Bowl – an innovative solution for fresh foods in modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) based on corrugated cardboard.

Last month, Stora Enso invested in raising the formed fiber capacity at its Hylte Mill in Sweden and Qian’an Mill in China. The annual capacity at both mills will be approximately 115 million product units.

Meanwhile, Germany’s fast-food sector and academia teamed up under the MakPak project to develop sustainable packaging solutions from marine macroalgae for the F&B sector. 

Edited by Benjamin Ferrer