90% Renewable Vegetable Fiber: The Best Alternative to Traditional Plastic Packaging
Graphic Packaging International (“Graphic Packaging”), a leader in fibrous consumer goods packaging, has announced a partnership with Cranswick PLC, a leading UK food producer, to introduce innovations in alternatives to plastic for food packaging.
The packaging, now in stores at UK retailer Tesco, sees Cranswick shifting its range of deli meats from plastic into trays produced by PaperLite™, a thermoformable packaging material containing 90% Regenerated plant fibers.
The PaperLite 200/23 HB material used in the Cranswick range is classified as recyclable in many countries and is recognized as recyclable according to the PTS (PTS-RH 021:2012 Cat II). Additionally, it has been assessed through the Packaging Recycling Label (OPRL) scheme and can be marked as 'recycled' in the UK.
The high fiber percentage in PaperLite 200/23 HB reduces the carbon footprint by 85% compared to plastic pallets, further enhancing the sustainability of the packaging.
The high fiber content is achieved without compromising barrier properties, providing product protection and shelf life comparable to traditional plastic pallets. As such, PaperLite is ideal for refrigerated foods, helping brand owners and retailers achieve their plastic reduction goals while providing effective, attractive packaging.
PaperLite is ideal for a variety of food and non-food applications. Utilizing an inner film layer made of PE or APET, the packaging can be customized to provide medium to high barrier options while minimizing the use of plastic. The film can be peeled off for additional convenience for the consumer.
Different thicknesses of PaperLite material proved to work well on existing form, fill, seal (FFS) lines.
