Unleashing recyclability: Mondi equips Finnish dog food brand with mono-material plastic bag

18 Oct 2021 --- Mondi is equipping Finnish premium dog food brand Hau-Hau Champion with a polyethylene (PE) 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.

The solution fulfills the Prima Pet Premium Oy brand’s objective to launch a reclosable and recyclable packaging solution without compromising performance and brand recognition. Prima Pet Premium Oy is part of the Vafo Group.

“With Hau-Hau’s brand refresh, we were looking for packaging fully aligning with our commitment to reduce our products’ carbon footprint and operations and upgrade the packaging to match the high quality of the product content,” says Suvi Sillvan, brand specialist at Hau-Hau Champion.

“Given this is a premium product, we are especially pleased with the high-quality finish, including the printing, which retains brand familiarity on the shelf and informs consumers they can easily recycle our dog food packs.”

“The new packaging material also fully supports the fact all our dry dog foods are now completely CO2-neutral through carbon emission compensation.”

Mondi’s FlexiBag Recyclable
Mondi’s customer-centric approach – known as EcoSolutions – helped Hau-Hau Champion find a high-barrier solution that can be reclosed, keep food fresh and confine smells.

The reclosable and recyclable solution does not compromise on performance.The previously unrecyclable multi-layer packaging contained a metalized layer, which was replaced by Mondi’s recyclable mono-material packaging. The new solution is a reel material for form-fill-and-seal (FFS) 1.5 kg bags and pre-made FlexiBag Recyclable for bags up to 15 kg.

FlexiBag Recyclable is a mono-material PE pre-made bag developed specifically for recycling, which means it can be deposited directly into Finnish plastic recycling streams.

The new packaging responds to consumer feedback asking for stronger carrying handles and a user-friendly reclosure to prevent kibble from going stale and thereby avoiding waste.

The solution also features an anti-slip matt lacquer exterior and is fitted with a valve, allowing air to escape for optimal palletization.

“Through our EcoSolutions approach, we help customers find environmentally responsible alternatives without compromising on performance, ease of use, or aesthetics,” outlines Thomas Kahl, EcoSolutions’ project manager at Mondi.

“For Hau-Hau Champion, this involved asking many questions to gain deeper insight into the needs of the brand and its end users, and collaborating closely throughout the process to test and evaluate all solutions.”

The new packaging supports Mondi’s MAP 2030 environmental sustainability goal to make 100% of its products reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025.

FachPack insights
FlexiBag Recyclable incorporates high fat, aroma and moisture barriers and offers good shelf stability. It is airtight and suitable for filling weights up to 20 kg. PackagingInsights recently explored the solution in more detail with Peter Orisich, Mondi’s flexible packaging and engineered materials CEO, ahead of FachPack 2021.

Mondi also debuted a recyclable pillow bag for frozen food in partnership with machine manufacturer Rovema in Nuremberg, Germany.

Edited by Joshua Poole

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