MM Packaging Deeside saw a surge in interest at this year’s Packaging Innovations and Empack show for its paper-based food tray GreenPeel. Already in use across Europe, the high-impact printed, sustainable tray was a hit with visitors to the business’s stand in Birmingham.
GreenPeel targets the food sector with applications including chilled and frozen meals, fish, meat and fresh salads. It’s pitched at those seeking to reduce the use of plastic thanks to its use of recyclable board alongside a removable liner. The flexible design uses up to 90% less plastic compared to conventional plastic trays. In addition, the board and liner can both be recycled through kerbside or dedicated soft-plastic collections points.
“This was our debut at Packaging Innovations and Empack, and it was revealing at just how much interest there was in our GreenPeel tray,” said Julian Freeman, managing director at MM Packaging Deeside. “It proved that there is a real appetite for applications that aim to reduce plastic and bolster sustainability. Visitors to our stand are serious about their commitments to the environment and GreenPeel can go some way to help make their targets become reality.”
GreenPeel is manufactured by MM Packaging in a BRC AA accredited factory and is already in use in France, with the trays being used by multiple supermarkets. Successful trials have been carried out in the UK ahead of its presentation at the show, and the company is looking forward to its first live project in the country.
The tray comes in standard and custom sizes, as well as skin and modified atmosphere packaging formats for a variety of food safe applications. It can be manufactured with either GC1 or kraft board and can be combined with PET, EVOH or PET liner for dual ovenability. Alternatively, for fresh and microwaveable applications GreenPeel can work also with PE, EVOh or PE films.
In addition, the tray’s one continuous flat rim enables hermetic sealing and high food safety. The flat and single piece design bottom surface makes GreenPeel easy to use on any production line. The rigid structure makes it resistant to a wide range of supply chain challenges, while the overall size can be adjusted depending on the application.
GreenPeel trays can be printed on both the outside and inside enabling brands to make a high impact and maximise the space available for consumer messaging and effective brand communication.
“The bespoke nature of GreenPeel means that we can work with a wide variety of food manufacturers,” added Julian Freeman. “Our business has the knowledge and expertise in board and paper – this know-how means we can help steer customers through the complexities of a packaging reduction project to deliver a high-impact solution for a wide variety of foods.
“And with legislation and taxes pushing industry towards plastic reduction and replacement, GreenPeel is ideally placed to help any transition.”
Packaging Innovations and Empack took place in February at Birmingham’s NEC. MM Packaging showcased its pack for Toblerone Truffles, which won a UK Packaging Award last year and more recently a World Star Award. In addition, the company’s board replacement for shrink wrapping targeting the beverage market, and a brand-new fibre-based bottle proved popular with drinks producers.