Fressnapf and Mondi collaborate for monomaterial premium pet food packaging
23 Aug 2023 --- Fressnapf is swapping the packaging for its Maxi Zoo Select Gold range of dry pet food with Mondi’s FlexiBag Recyclable, BarrierPack Recyclable and Recyclable StandUp pouches. These designs are touted as premium monomaterial recyclable solutions using process color printing technology.
Mondi responded to the pet food company’s request to create new packaging with an adaptable design of the packs that can be used for around 150 pet food packaging designs. Packaging sizes ranging from 300 g to 12 kg offer consumers a long shelf life and ease of use.
“Pet food requires different barrier properties such as barriers against moisture, fat and odor. At the same time the packaging has to ensure a long shelf life and keep the pet food fresh,” Fitore Loshaj, regional sales Germany, Austria & Switzerland for Consumer Flexibles at Mondi tells Packaging Insights.
“Our bags and pouches for the Fressnapf range fulfill these requirements, while being recyclable with other mono-PE films as certified by Institute cyclos-HTP. The Mondi monomaterial packaging provides strong barrier properties while protecting the product inside.”
Fressnapf’s new packaging, supplied by Mondi, is described as strong and flexible.Premium colors
Mondi further details that the new Select Gold range features expanded color gamut printing and a new screening technology by U.Günther, providing sharp text and visuals on the packs.
The process uses fewer inks and eliminates chemicals from the plate production. The transition from one design to another is quicker and more efficient because the colors for each design do not need changing.
“Consumers across the globe are calling on companies to contribute to a circular economy and rightly so,” says Loshaj.
“Our team worked closely with Fressnapf | Maxi Zoo to design a packaging solution for its dry pet food range that is recyclable, fit-for-purpose and visually appealing – protecting the product while being easy to use.”
She illustrates that the printing technology employed for the Select Gold designs ensure “outstanding” shelf appearance for the pet food.
“Our 150 different pack designs are part of our sustainability journey and there will be more to come,’” Yannick Christiaens, senior expert lead product development and sourcing dry food at Fressnapf | Maxi Zoo shares.
Packaging developments
Mondi recently invested €16 million (~US$17.8 million) in a technology to create a new packaging range, FunctionalBarrier Paper Ultimate, for food and non-food applications, designed to be recyclable in paper waste streams across Europe while providing product protection.
“End-consumers believe paper to be the most environmentally friendly packaging material, especially compared to unrecyclable aluminum or plastic-based solutions,” Dirk Gabriel, chief operations officer for Consumer Flexibles at Mondi, told us.
Furthermore, it partnered with Syntegon to bring a recyclable paper-based packaging solution to dry food products such as flour, sugar and pasta, utilizing Mondi’s EcoVantage kraft paper and Syntegon’s spot coating technology.
By Radhika Sikaria
