Huhtamaki to trial fiber based ready meal packaging on UK market

04 Jun 2018 --- Huhtamaki, a global specialist in packaging for food and drink, are to trial a new fiber-based, ready meal packaging. The trial version of the renewable fiber packaging will be tested in the UK this May, as part of Huhtamaki’s efforts to develop alternatives to plastic ready meal trays.

The concept is to be tested with two Italian style ready meals at a major UK retail chain in May. The trial is part of a project aiming at developing a bio-based ready meal package for the UK market. The new tray offers a viable alternative to black plastic packaging, which is problematic for the waste processors' lasers that identify materials for recycling.

Ready meal consumption continues to grow throughout Europe and new sustainable solutions are welcome. The new material feels like cardboard and is made of fiber derived from Forest Stewardship Council certified sources.

“We hope this novel solution will be well received and that this project will be a tipping point for the adoption of bio-based packages in this segment. We know that alternatives based on renewable materials are needed,” says Steve Davey at Huhtamaki.

“Both producers and consumers are demanding alternatives to plastic packaging. The material Durapulp is a renewable alternative and suitable for sensitive substances such as food,” says Catrin Gustavsson, Senior Vice President of Innovation and New Business at Södra.

Huhtamaki has developed this new packaging concept in partnership with Södra and Saladworks in an EU-funded project called FRESH. The FRESH-project will continue until 2020. 

You can read more about innovations in ready meal packaging in our key interview with Gaia Pulses here.