Mondi’s fiber-based salad packs for Les Crudettes could “revolutionize the ready-to-eat market”

21 Oct 2021 --- Mondi has equipped French Group LSDH’s Les Crudettes salads with functional barrier paper packaging made from 95% fiber, replacing its previous plastic bags with a solution recyclable in France.

According to Mondi, the new packaging will save 137 tons of plastic per year.

The French salad brand has replaced its transparent, glossy polypropylene packaging with Mondi’s recyclable functional barrier paper for a selection of its pre-washed, ready-to-eat salads.

The packaging’s 95% paper and functional barrier layer means the salad remains fresh for up to 10 days – the same amount of time as the previous plastic packaging. The solution is verified as recyclable in the waste paper stream in France by the Recycling Authority.

“This is just the first step in the [environmental] sustainability journey of our ready-to-eat salad range. The results are exciting – the packaging is created on existing machines, resistant to humidity and supports our sustainability goals,” remarks Géraldine Collet, marketing and innovation director at Les Crudettes.

“These salad bags could revolutionize the ready-to-eat salad market, hugely reducing the amount of plastic needed, all while keeping the food fresh.”

Flexo-printed bags
The bags are flexo-printed, with depictions of the salad contents on the front, along with a QR Code, informing consumers about the contents, quality, recycling and refund policy.

Mondi is taking action on three key areas: circular-driven packaging and paper solutions, empowered people and climate change. Using its EcoSolutions approach, Mondi worked closely with LSDH and its machine supplier Ilapak, ensuring the new packaging is fit-for-purpose and can run on existing machines.

The new solution is intended to support LSDH in meeting its sustainability goal of reducing the amount of plastic in its packaging.

“We evaluated everything, from sourcing to machinery and the recycling process – all while collaborating closely with LSDH to deliver a sustainable solution without compromising on packaging performance,” says Paulus Goess, sales director speciality kraft paper at Mondi.

At FachPack 2021, Mondi demonstrated how its kraft papers are compatible with Rovema’s filling machinery, producing paper bags for frozen food applications.

Mondi Action Plan 2030
The solution fits into the Mondi Action Plan 2030 (MAP2030), which aims to develop innovative packaging keeping materials in circulation and preventing waste.

“We are proud to see our new circular-driven functional barrier paper being part of the solution. In particular, as all converting steps are fully integrated across our value chain – from paper production to barrier application and printing,” adds Goess.

Recently, Mondi equipped Finnish dog food brand Hau-Hau Champion with a polyethylene bag, which can be recycled in plastic recycling streams.

The mono-material packaging replaces unrecyclable plastic packs while offering high-barrier protection and increased consumer convenience.

Edited

By Louis Gore-Langton

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