Iceland supermarket trials linerless labeling and cardboard packs for pears

07 Oct 2020 --- UK frozen food supermarket Iceland has adopted Ravenwood’s linerless labeling called Fruit Lid for trialing plastic-free packaging across its range of conference pears. The new Fruit Lid packs are now on sale in 10 percent of the UK’s Iceland stores.

“Linerless in some areas of the world is still an emerging technology but one that is rapidly gaining momentum. There is a viable alternative to single-use plastic for packaging fruit and vegetables,” Ravenwood’s UK sales manager Jan Rees tells PackagingInsights.

Iceland’s conference pears are processed, packed and sleeved at Keelings International and produced by ProPrint Group, a Ravenwood UK-approved linerless printer.

The end result is plastic-free and completely recyclable. Previously, pears from Iceland were hand filled into plastic poly bags and plastic punnets.

Fruit Lid up to par with plastic
A “great deal of thought” went into the design of the tray and lid, says Rees. 

“Transit trials were carried out and highly successful and by using a good quality board for the fruit lid (250 gsm), we are able to reduce damage and bruising, normally associated with plastic flow wrap.” 

Moreover, the quality of the paper material is “food hygiene grade,” produced to a standard that allows for high resolution print and graphics, for clear instructions and visibility.

Click to EnlargePending the successful trial, the new Fruit Lid linerless label from Ravenwood will save 15 tons of plastic per year.Keeling’s commercial manager Oliver Dent confirmed that there would be “further scope” to roll out linerless across more of Iceland’s own label ranges pending the successful trial. 

Machinery in the limelight
In addition to the label design, Ravenwood supplied Keelings with a Nobac 5000L linerless applicator, fitted with an extended outfeed for applying the labels. An ICE Viper TIJ, to print date and traceability information, has been integrated, including a Trojan Flash Labeller.

The Ravenwood Nobac 5000L can achieve pack speeds of up to 70 ppm and eliminates the need to turn packs. The linerless reels weigh up to 40 percent less and take up 40 percent less space than those with carrier backing paper. 

“We are keen to explore various sizes and dimensions of trays to maximize the number of products we can extend this technology to. The new linerless label has a premium look and feel, bringing the pack presentation to a whole new level.”

On the road to plastic-free
This move is the latest step on Iceland’s journey to eliminate plastic packaging from its own-brand portfolio by 2023. 

Rees sees some brands and retailers not using linerless because they have “yet to learn” about the benefits of using this type of labeling. 

“The unit cost of the cardboard packaging for fruit is also slightly more expensive, which could deter some retailers when compared to a plastic equivalent. With cardboard, the environmental factors are obviously much improved, as cardboard is fully recyclable and biodegradable.” 

Last month, Iceland Foods called on the UK government and rival retailers to commit to enhanced transparency in plastic packaging reporting. 

The company’s “Plastic Free by 2023” pledge has saved 850 metric tons of plastic so far by replacing black plastic trays with cardboard across their street food ranges. It also aims to become carbon neutral by 2042.

In similar developments, Mondi collaborated with organic Bavarian farm BIOhof Kirchweidach to design eco-friendly packaging for organic tomatoes sold by Penny supermarkets (REWE Group) in Germany. 

The 100 percent recyclable Coral Tray mitigates food waste and includes a lid made of recycled corrugated board.

By Anni Schleicher

To contact our editorial team please email us at editorial@cnsmedia.com