Berry Global’s customized packaging solution is empowering Finnish dairy leader Valio to achieve its goal of reducing plastic consumption by 15% in its single-use, single-serve food and drink packaging by 2026.
In alignment with this commitment, Valio is transitioning its successful PROfeel® protein pudding line to a specially designed variant of Berry’s innovative CombiLight™ pot.
The CombiLight™ serves as a hybrid food and drink sustainable packaging solution, constructed from a robust plastic skeleton encased in a carton sleeve, optimally fused for enhanced structural integrity. After successfully adopting the CombiLight™ for their quark products, Valio required further advancements for the pudding line. This led to the development of a new coating with improved barrier properties to guarantee superior shelf life, as Valio’s Head of Packaging Development, Juhana Pilkama, explains:
“While quark is an acidic product, pudding is neutral. This meant that the standard coating in the CombiLight™ cup was not suitable. Therefore, we started a project with Berry to develop a new enhanced barrier coating to ensure optimal shelf life. Now, we are ready to launch the pudding in the new pot with an impressive 120-day shelf life.”
This groundbreaking barrier solution arose from Berry’s collaboration with Stora Enso, a frontrunner in barrier technology. The extended shelf life not only minimizes food waste but also enhances Valio’s export prospects.
Valio plans to introduce its high-protein PROfeel® puddings, available in enticing flavors such as chocolate, caramel, and vanilla-meringue, within the new packaging this December. As the demand for high-protein desserts surges, Valio is strategically positioned to capture additional markets while staying true to its voluntary Green Deal signed with the Finnish government in 2023, aimed at minimizing plastic usage in packaging.
“Our commitment to reducing plastic is reflected in the increasing use of paperboard cups for Valio’s snack products,” stated Juhana Pilkama. “This change will also enhance consumer convenience, as consumers will no longer need to separate materials; for example, with the puddings, they can simply dispose of the entire packaging into carton recycling streams along with milk cartons.”
Moreover, the new pot features enhanced print quality, including a printable bottom surface for all mandatory product information. This design update not only ensures a polished appearance but also significantly broadens branding opportunities for Valio.
This recent innovation in food and drink packaging underscores the enduring partnership between Valio and Berry, highlighting the robust collaboration between both organizations.
“Working with Berry is a pleasure,” expressed Juhana Pilkama. “Their team is not only willing to try new things, but they are also highly reliable and open in their approach. We have regular meetings to align on projects and share ideas, and that has been crucial in developing the enhanced CombiLight™ pot. We could not be more satisfied with the result.”
As Valio continues its efforts to decrease plastic use and endorse circular economy principles, the successful implementation of the CombiLight™ packaging represents a noteworthy advancement. Juhana Pilkama concludes:
“The new packaging solution for our pudding range supports our commitment to minimising climate impact, reducing food waste, and maintaining high product quality. We are already looking into further virgin plastic reductions by incorporating fibres and recycled materials into future designs.”
