Sharpak, a leading innovator in packaging solutions, is excited to announce the launch of SharpTek, a revolutionary fully recyclable mono material tray designed to protect and cushion delicate berries without the use of glued absorbent pads. This advancement represents a major stride in sustainability, eradicating hundreds of tonnes of packaging from the supply chain and reflecting Sharpak and Groupe Guillin's dedication to the circular economy and leveraging their manufacturing and industry expertise to minimise environmental impact.
For decades, the berry industry has relied on glued pads to protect fragile fruits. However, these traditional solutions pose recycling challenges, as adhesives complicate the recycling process, and pads are not consistently recyclable. SharpTek revolutionises this approach with a mono material PET packaging solution that eliminates these issues, boasting up to 80% recycled PET (rPET) content and full recyclability through kerbside collections.
Innovative Design and Development
SharpTek is the culmination of years of meticulous development and rigorous testing. The primary technical challenge was crafting a soft base from mono material PET—a typically rigid material—that could replace the need for absorbent pads. Achieving a consistent, cushioning base involved significant innovations in tooling design and tray manufacturing processes. The result is a tray that not only meets all functional and recyclable criteria but is also 17% lighter than the current equivalent tray with an absorbent pad.
Enhanced Product Quality and Sustainability
The innovative design of SharpTek ensures that juices are held away from the berries, maintaining product quality and helping to reduce food waste. This aligns perfectly with UK retailers' strategies to minimise packaging while preserving product integrity and shelf life. Consumers benefit from an easy-to-recycle pack that requires no additional steps, such as removing glued pads, simplifying the recycling process.
Circular Economy Commitment
SharpTek's mono material composition allows for straightforward processing in recycling streams, ensuring that the valuable raw material, rPET, can be efficiently reintroduced into the manufacturing cycle, exemplifying a perfect circular economy process.
"We are thrilled to introduce SharpTek, a product that reflects our dedication to innovation and sustainability," said Martin Taylor, Business Unit Director - UK of Sharpak. "Our journey began in 2021 when we eliminated bubble pads and glue from strawberry punnets, setting the standard for all UK retailers' strawberry packaging. For ultra-soft berries, we needed to push the boundaries further. This launch underscores our commitment to delivering environmentally friendly solutions without compromising functionality or quality."
Manufacturing Excellence
Manufactured at Sharpak’s Aylesham site, which recently achieved a prestigious BRC AA+ rating following an unannounced audit, SharpTek is designed for seamless integration into existing packing lines without the need for costly upgrades or modifications.
For more information, visit www.sharpak.co.uk.