Sustainable packaging manufacturer Paranova has partnered with British grower Flavourfresh to launch a limited-edition premium Tomalina tomato range in Asda stores, using its FibreFresh paperbased punnets.
Launched for the summer season, Tomalina invites consumers to rediscover the tomato - bold in flavour and rich in character. The range offers exclusive varieties found only in Tomalina packs, each chosen to inspire and delight, and is paired with innovative packaging designed as an alternative to traditional all-plastic formats.
Supported by half a million-pound investment in Boix punnet-forming technology, the launch marks the beginning of Paranova’s expansion into heat-sealed paper-based punnet packaging, building on its leading position in the nested tray market.
Scientifically designed for fresh produce applications, the recyclable FibreFresh punnets have been developed to support product freshness through specialist respiration and transpiration management, while also delivering stronger on-shelf differentiation through enhanced branding opportunities.
The format also delivers excellent machinability and has been engineered for compatibility with existing packing processes, helping customers transition to paper-based formats with minimal operational disruption.
Supporting Flavourfresh throughout the full development process, including creative design, packaging development, testing, print and retail launch, the project showcases Paranova’s capability to deliver commercially viable innovation at speed and scale.
Michael Conway, Chief Commercial Officer at Paranova, said “Following our recent investment and development in leading punnet technology, we are proud to have launched this new format for Flavourfresh. Delivering a significant reduction in plastic, it demonstrates how paper-based punnets can offer on-shelf differentiation, operational efficiency, and support sustainability ambitions.”
Paranova also confirmed it is preparing to launch FastFlex, a new tray and lidding system designed for fresh produce and convenience applications. The system will offer lead times of less than seven days for lidding supply, significantly reducing turnaround times compared with traditional 2-4 week print cycles.
According to Paranova, the platform has been developed to provide greater agility for retailers and growers managing short production windows, promotional launches, seasonal demand fluctuations and reduced stock holdings.
Produced using a newly commissioned press designed specifically for filmic paper-based tray applications, the FastFlex system will combine reduced origination costs with no minimum order quantity requirements.
Paranova says the launch will make it the UK’s only manufacturer currently offering both paperbased punnet and lidding formats as part of an integrated rapid-response system for fresh produce packaging.