Mondi arms Austrian bacon producer with monomaterial PP film in recyclability boost

27 Sep 2022 --- Mondi is equipping Austrian food company Handl Tyrol with a monomaterial PP film to wrap its bacon. The packaging and paper leader says the film is recyclable through existing recycling streams for mixed polyolefins. 

The wrap also keeps the bacon fresh, providing a “second skin” that seals securely with a high-barrier top and bottom film. It has been designed to look like a wooden chopping board for on-shelf appeal and brand recognition.

Innova Market Insights identified “Monomaterial Mastery” as its second top packaging trend for 2022, highlighting the transition from hard-to-recycle, multilayer packaging to monomaterial solutions that are recyclable through existing infrastructure.

Recycle-by-design packaging empowers brands to meet circular economy targets and secure favor with the growing eco-conscious consumer base.

EcoSolutions approach
Working closely with Handl Tyrol, Mondi employed its collaborative EcoSolutions approach to ensure the packaging is suitable for the manufacturer, product, end user and environment. The monomaterial packaging was also shortlisted for the Green Packaging Star Award 2022.

The film is recyclable through existing recycling streams for mixed polyolefins.“This packaging is certainly eye-catching while providing excellent product protection. It works within existing recycling guidelines for retailers across Europe and is a great example of more sustainable packaging with no compromises: it still provides the highest level of food protection, which is always our first priority,” says Handl Tyrol.

Jan-Mark Wilke, business development manager for Fresh Food for Consumer Flexibles at Mondi, adds: “Some 33% of the world’s food is lost or wasted every year – and this accounts for 7% of GHG emissions. Sustainable packaging can play a vital role in minimizing food waste. It reduces the environmental impact of the food industry by preventing food from spoiling before it reaches the table.”

“With our monomaterial PP packaging for Handl Tyrol, we have been able to deliver another fresh food packaging solution that protects the product effectively and can be recycled into existing recycling streams for mixed polyolefins. On top of that, it has an impactful design that incorporates the packaging and reflects the consumer’s use.”

Mondi in the news
Earlier this month, Mondi opened its first recycling laboratory to test the recyclability of paper and paper-based packaging using non-paper components such as coatings at its Frantschach mill in Austria.

In August, the company agreed to sell its largest Russian paper plant to Augment Investments Limited, an investment vehicle majority owned by billionaire Viktor Kharitonin, for RUB 95 billion (US$1.64 billion).

In its Half Year 2022 financial results, Mondi reported revenue and profit increases, celebrating a “strong performance” across the business. It recorded underlying EBITDA from continuing operations (excluding Russian operations) of €942 million (US$907.8 million), up 66% year-on-year.

Edited by Joshua Poole