Linpac targets bakery industry with lightweight packaging

Linpac Packaging has developed a range of hinged bakery boxes which are lighter than previous designs to ease the eco-tax burden on retailers and manufacturers across Europe.

The LeanBake range, which features hermetic (airtight) and semi-hermetic boxes is ideal for croissants, Danish pastries, tarts and muffins.

The containers, which are manufactured in Europe and available worldwide, are made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or rPET and are fully recyclable.

Linpac has ensured that the design of the corner radius assists with the opening of the packs, improving ease of use for the consumer, and the external dimensions of the boxes have been adapted so that they fit on the standard European pallet.

Hermetic and standard boxes

Hermetic boxes have been developed especially for sponge-based products to keep moisture within the pack so that they stay fresher for longer.

Standard boxes are slightly vented on three sides to allow air to circulate and ensure that pastry products such as croissants and Danish pastries retain their crispiness.

The European bakery market is currently worth circa €17.8bn and is forecast to grow by 9.5% to around €19.5bn by 2016. The French market is worth €1188m and by 2014 that figure will grow to €1288m, an increase of 20% since 2008, according to figures.

Lighter containers

Megan Ashcroft, European bakery marketing manager at Linpac Packaging, said: “The technical innovation which has gone into their design enables the containers to be lighter than our previous hinged box designs without affecting the pack’s rigidity and protective qualities, ensuring bakery items are not damaged during transit and so that consumers can enjoy their pastry as it was when first bought in-store.”

Ashcroft added that it is something which bakers and manufacturers have been asking for to minimise costs and impact on the environment.

Particular attention has been paid to the design of the LeanBake range so that the boxes stack easily and uniformly to assist in the production process.

The design also ensures that there is even distribution of material to maintain product quality and also the visibility associated with PET which is required for bakery products for aesthetic appeal.

Project LIFE

Linpac has been working with packer and retail partners to reduce the weight of their rigid trays. Branded Project LIFE (LIghtweighting For Excellence) it has achieved more than 10% material savings through manufacturing process upgrades and streamlining, product redesign and engineering excellence.

Whilst the weight and amount of material used in manufacture is reduced, the trays maintain product performance and quality, in terms of rigidity, shelf-life and aesthetics, said the firm.

Alan Davey, director of innovation at Linpac Packaging: “This is as a direct result of manufacturing process technology improvements at Linpac and a commitment to continuous quality improvement across the company.

“Project LIFE is a response to market trends and to what our customers have told us they want from their packaging. We are developing sustainable solutions which maintain the performance of heavier trays in terms of presentation, product protection and shelf life.”

Source: Linpac Packaging