FachPack 2021: Mondi to present sustainable-by-design solutions for F&B, e-commerce and pet food

21 Sep 2021 --- Mondi is gearing up to present sustainable-by-design packaging developed through its EcoSolutions approach – “plastic when useful and paper where possible” – at FachPack 2021 in Nuremberg, Germany (September 28-30), stand 7-258.

“Sustainability is a mindset and goes to the heart of Mondi’s strategy, purpose and culture,” Peter Orisich, Mondi’s Flexible Packaging & Engineered Materials CEO, tells PackagingInsights.

“We take pride in working closely with our customers – we call it our EcoSolutions approach – and it means that in partnership, we can all work together to create the best possible packaging solutions for our customers, consumers and the environment.”

“We focus on being sustainable-by-design, thinking not just about materials we use but taking a broad approach to sustainable systems and circular economies.”

Mondi recently demonstrated its EcoSolutions productivity with a renewable paper-based pack for Nordic food manufacturer HKScan’s Falukorv sausages, enabling recyclability in the company’s native Sweden.ProVantage Smartwhite’s top layer boasts superior surface appearance and best-in-class fiber formation.

Recycled containerboard for e-commerce
Among Mondi’s many exhibits at FachPack 2021, the company will showcase its containerboard ProVantage Smartwhite’s unique product composition for F&B, customized packaging, e-commerce and retail, including shelf-ready packaging and trays.

The containerboard grade combines the strength, printability and on-shelf appeal of a white fresh fiber top layer with a recycled fiber bottom layer.

Mondi says the ProVantage Smartwhite’s top layer boasts superior surface appearance and best-in-class fiber formation, making the product a top printability performer among uncoated containerboard grades.

Meanwhile, the recycled fiber bottom layer provides strength and reliable product protection. These benefits are in increasing demand amid the COVID-19-induced acceleration of e-commerce.

A recent PackagingInsights webinar explored the growth of e-commerce and the challenges and opportunities this trend presents to F&B packaging suppliers with Daniela Dorner, eCommerce director at Mondi, and Akhil Aiyar, senior market analyst at Innova Market Insights.

Mondi recently expanded its e-commerce packaging portfolio with seven new solutions for online grocery delivery services in Central Europe. From perishable food to wine bottles, the new line addresses the diverse needs of grocery retailers in fit-for-purpose packaging.ProVantage Smartwhite offers a unique containerboard composition for F&B, customized packaging, e-commerce and retail.

Recycled-ready solutions
The company will showcase several other packaging solutions at FachPack 2021, including its Performing range, which it recognizes as Europe’s first paper-based food tray to enable easy separation of the paper and plastic film components for recycling.

“The removable plastic film is a co-extruded high barrier material that extends product shelf life,” Falk Paulsen, sales and business development director, Mondi Extrusion Solutions, previously shared with PackagingInsights.

“When the product is fully consumed, the film can be separated from the formable paper shell and placed in the yellow bin, while the paper tray is recycled in the paper bin.”

Regulatory action and consumer concern is increasing demands for recyclable packaging. The EU Plastics Strategy requires all packaging to be recyclable or reusable in an economically viable way by 2030.

Moreover, the EU’s recently introduced plastics tax imposes a €0.80/kg (US$0.94/kg) levy on unrecycled plastic packaging waste.

Pet food solutions
Mondi will also present its PE FlexiBag Recyclable bags, available with performance reclosability features, including press-to-close and pocket zip. The entire package, including the zipper, is reportedly recyclable.Mondi’s EcoSolutions approach works on the mantra: “Plastic when useful and paper where possible.”

The packages are designed specifically to meet the shelf appeal and production efficiencies the pet food industry requires. The bags come in flat, rolled glue or pinch bottom configurations.

FlexiBag Recyclable incorporates high fat, aroma and moisture barriers and offers good shelf stability. It is airtight and suitable for filling weights up to 20 kg.

“Some of our latest innovations, which will be highlighted at the show, include Mondi’s EcoSolutions range for sustainable packaging, our new ProVantage Smartwhite containerboard grade, new paper grades for food and non-food applications, new kraft and formable paper for (pet) food and care applications, and a fully recyclable PP mono-material packaging solution,” summarizes Orisich.

“After many online meetings and the long period without trade fairs, we are finally looking forward to the personal exchange with our customers,” adds Torsten Fleck, Mondi’s head of sales Northern Central Europe for containerboard.

“Under the theme ‘Sustainable by Design,’ we will be presenting Mondi’s sustainable corrugated base papers, packaging solutions and innovative services at our stand (7-258).”

By Joshua Poole