Pawsome packaging: Mondi customizes FlexiBag Recyclable for bulk dog food
11 Jun 2020 --- While sniffing out eco-friendly pet food packaging, Germany-based Mera Tiernahnung turned to Mondi Group’s FlexiBag Recyclable. The PE-based dog food bag packages 12.5 kg of Mera’s semi-moist croquettes, making it Mondi’s largest FlexiBag Recyclable sized bag to date. Mondi elaborates how individualization, freshness, attractive shelf appearance and convenience are the four main drivers for the company’s pet packaging solutions.
“We have integrated a convenient recyclable reclosure system in the FlexiBag Recyclable and structured the bag in a way that no food is left over inside once emptied. This FlexiBag can be used with a variety of different closure systems and for Mera’s needs, we chose [the reclosable zipper as] the most suitable closure, also taking the size of a 12.5 kg bag into consideration,” Fitore Loshaj, Regional Sales (DACH) for Mondi Consumer Flexibles, tells PackagingInsights. The bags will furthermore be launched Europe-wide to other pet food companies.
“[In terms of] shelf appearance, the bags can be produced in a matt and glossy finish. The FlexiBag Recyclable also has a special one-way valve, which only vents from inside to outside so that the product stays fresh, and adds convenience during transport. The bags have a tight seal to ensure long-term freshness and protect the pet food inside,” Loshaj details.
Depending on individual customer preferences, Mondi offers reclosing systems as zippers, sliders and hook-and-loop. Linear tears can be made available with or without perforation, while material thickness can vary from mono- or coextruded films to anti-slip variants.
The do’s and don’ts of eco-friendly pet packaging
FlexiBag Recyclable received a 95 percent recyclability rating from the Institute cyclos–HTP, the Institute for Recyclability and Product Responsibility, in those areas where suitable recycling infrastructures are in place. Graeme Smith, Head of Product Sustainability Flexible Packing and Engineered Materials, tells PackagingInsights that Mondi prioritizes optimizing the recyclability of flexible packaging materials.
“Mondi believes in a circular economy and is continuously working toward creating new sustainable packaging, which is also certified as recyclable. With this in mind, we used current Design for Recycling guidelines for this solution,” he says.
While the move toward reusable packaging is taking off in the human food sector, Smith details that this is less of an option for pet food. “Reusable packaging poses specific challenges for hygiene standards in the pet food and food industry. Customers still rely on flexible packaging that is lighter and helps reduce transport costs, while being hygienic and recyclable to protect their products.”
PackagingInsights recently spoke with Mondi about developing trends in the pet care sector. The company noted that environmental sustainability is the number one focus in the packaging industry.
By Anni Schleicher
