Sappi Rockwell Solutions launches post-consumer recycled lidding film for soft fruit

11 Nov 2021 --- Sappi Rockwell Solutions is introducing a recyclable, lightweight, heat seal lidding film specifically designed for the fresh produce market. 

The heat seal coating specialist’s highly versatile RockFruit lidding film range provides a strong, peelable seal for a wide variety of substrates, including rPET, aPET, PVC and aPET lined paperboard.

The film can be produced with 30% and 60% post-consumer recycled content variants, helping customers in the soft fruit market reduce their environmental impact and bring them in line with the forthcoming UK Plastic Packaging Tax requirements.

The UK government plans to introduce the tax in April 2022, enforcing a £200 (US$268) per metric ton tax rate for plastic packaging containing less than 30% recycled plastic produced or imported into the UK.

“Reducing food waste and plastic usage is being prioritized in the soft fruit market, but freshness is everything, and nothing plays as big a role in maintaining freshness as the packaging,” says Chris Button, head of sales at Sappi Rockwell Solutions.

“RockFruit has been developed as a direct response to the needs of customers in this sector looking for a [environmentally] sustainable packaging solution robust enough to withstand the rigors of the supply chain. This [solution] is another step forward in reducing our environmental impact and that of our customers.”

Enhanced shelf life
RockFruit offers “outstanding performance” on all lidding machine lines, and up to 25% increased impressions per reel.

The film can be produced with 30% and 60% PCR content.Options include 30 or 60% post-consumer recycled content and, if used without perforations, a high oxygen and moisture barrier to increase the product shelf life further.

Sappi Rockwell Solutions is a major European manufacturer of peelable, high-barrier and anti-fog lidding films based in Dundee, UK. The business is focused on developing unique and proprietary coating formulations for manufacturing highly-specialized packaging films.

The manufacturer was acquired by Sappi Global in 2017, making it a subsidiary of Sappi Europe.

Sappi Rockwell Solutions also unveiled a coated lidding film ahead of the UK Plastic Packaging Tax.

However, in August, Veolia research revealed 83% of businesses asked are not aware of the impending tax.

In other Sappi news, the company recently showcased its Fusion Nature Plus fiber liner for premium printing at Luxe Pack 2021 in Monaco.

PackagingInsights previously explored the fresh produce sector’s key themes with leading packaging suppliers DS Smith, Smurfit Kappa, Sealpac, Mondi, and edible coating specialist Sufresca.

Edited by Joshua Poole

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