DS Smith, an International Paper company, and a leading international fibre-based packaging solutions provider, with Priméale, a subsidiary of Agrial, an agricultural and food processing cooperative group, are collaborating to create a sustainable and plastic free punnet for the brand’s Priméale Vegetable Kit range.
The new punnets for fresh fruit and vegetables are designed to protect the produce during transportation and on the supermarket shelf, and as a fully recyclable design the solution is comprised of a fibre-based corrugated cardboard tray and a simple cellulose hydrate lid.
Fibre-based alternative for fruit and vegetables
The cellulose hydrate lid is transparent to ensure easy product visibility during display for consumers and the punnets are equipped with a moisture barrier within the corrugated cardboard tray to support direct wet food contact. They are also designed to be tightly and securely sealed while keeping food content moist and at the correct temperatures for the conservation and protection of the fresh food products.
In addition, the punnets can be easily assembled into small or large sized components and made bespoke for a variety of customer requirements, while the corrugated cardboard exterior allows for a variety of graphic design and brand promotion options to ensure effective visibility at Point of Sale (POS).
Consumer preferences for plastic reduction
According to data from the Kantar Research Bureau, a multi-country market research and survey consultancy, in France 45% of consumers in France have a strict budget for their weekly shopping and one in four of these shoppers are increasingly in support of plastic reduction in packaging for fresh food products*
Benjamin Chedal, Sales, Marketing & Innovation Director, DS Smith:
‘This breakthrough is part of DS Smith's overall strategy to support its customers in their transition to sustainable and circular packaging solutions while maintaining the essential functionalities of product protection and presentation for these fresh food products.”
Christophe Charvieux, Sales, and Marketing Director, Priméale (France):
‘We're delighted to launch our new Vegetable Kit range. This product combines practicality and quality, while being packaged in a fully recyclable alternative to existing plastic trays. This new tray, which stands out for its strength, resistance, and transparency, is the result of the joint efforts of our Priméale teams and our supplier, DS Smith. We are convinced that this innovation will meet our consumers' expectations in terms of functionality and recyclability.”
DS Smith plays a central role in the value chain across sectors including food and beverage, e-commerce, FMCG (Fast-Moving-Consumer-Goods), automotive and industrials. The company has a target-led Now & Next sustainability strategy and purpose of Redefining Packaging for a Changing World and is committed to leading an industry-wide transition to a circular economy while delivering sustainable circular solutions for customers worldwide. As a part of this mandate, there is a focus on replacing problem plastics, taking carbon out of supply chains, providing recycling solutions, innovation, and significant investment into research and development around alternative materials and fibres.
*Source: KANTAR Opinion Questionnaire 2023.
Additional information can be found by visiting www.dssmith.com