Südpack’s Ecocraft Skin pack receives print design boost as rollout approaches

11 Jan 2019 --- Plastic film specialists Südpack will begin the commercial rollout of its easy-to-recycle Ecocraft Skin packaging this year. Ecocraft Skin is aimed at helping meat, fresh fish and cheese products attract attention in the refrigerated and frozen food sections with its paper-like look. The pack is designed to improve sustainability levels while, significantly, it does not require food manufacturers to invest in new thermoforming machines.

The “Eco” name derives from Ecocraft being a sustainable solution in many aspects, Matthias Schraegle, Head of Research & Development at Südpack, tells PackagingInsights. “Firstly, we’re using renewable resources like paper which tremendously improves the stiffness and thickness of the packaging,” he notes.

“Secondly, it’s easy to recycle: once the product has been removed, consumers can simply separate the upper and lower skin film from the paper at the bottom and put the individual parts in the appropriate recycling bin,” he says.

Multi SV Skin from Südpack is one of the industry's first printable top skin films.The range of papers available for Ecocraft Skin ensures flexibility when it comes to product design. Along with the standard paper printable on both sides, grass paper can also be used for the Ecocraft Skin.

Grass paper is manufactured from fresh grass fibers. This reduces raw material input and produces less CO2 than conventional paper production. Both paper options can be printed using random printing with continuous patterns or pattern-matched printing with precisely positioned lettering and logos.

The base film comes on a roll and thus offers an important advantage: it can be processed automatically in standard thermoforming machines, the supplier says. This eliminates the need for manufacturers who are already using skin packaging to invest in new machinery. It also enables them to increase product output on automated lines.

Südpack unveiled the new Ecocraft Skin base film concept at FachPack 2018 in Nuremberg, Germany at the end of last year.

Printable design to handle the heat
With its skin packaging range, Südpack supplies matched top and base films for a noticeable presentation at the point of sale. The newest generation of Multi SV top films is now printable, opening up an array of new design options. The films are also ideal for large products that protrude outside the package or extreme undercuts.

Multi SV Skin is claimed to be one of the industry's first printable top skin films. Previously, printing was not an option with skin packaging because of the high temperatures during the packing process.

Ecocraft Skin combines with the matching Südpack Multi SV top skin films to create a distinctive packaging solution for perishable products like meat, sliced cheese or fresh fish. The skin films are available in two colors (transparent and black) and three standard thicknesses.

“We have developed a special process to create a top skin film that is printable and keeps the colors – even under heat,” adds Schraegle. Technical details are being kept under wraps, however.Südpack’s new Ecocraft Skin base film concept comes on a roll for easy processing.

The ability to print to skin films increases the design options and offers more opportunities for branding with images or lettering. Printing can also replace conventional stick-on labels.

The Multi SV top film is also ideal for thick or complex products and handles items that protrude outside the trays or extreme undercuts with ease. This enables manufacturers to use shallower trays for the base and save on materials.

The film fits closely to the product and fixes it firmly to the base to prevent it from sliding around during transportation. “There is no question of damage during transport,” Schraegle tells PackagingInsights, “as the thin layer of film protects the meat perfectly.”

“We expect commercial rollout during this year. However, at the moment we will not comment on potential customers,” Schraegle concludes when asked about commercial rollout timelines.

By Joshua Poole