Graphic Packaging International, a global frontrunner in sustainable food and drink packaging, has established a partnership with Elaborados Naturales, a leading supplier of refrigerated potato products available at major retail outlets. This collaboration aims to introduce the innovative PaperSeal™ Shape paperboard tray to the Spanish retail landscape.
Notably, this launch marks the first commercialization of a round-shaped design of the PaperSeal Shape tray, specifically crafted for use in traditional ovens, microwaves, and medium-sized air fryers. This advancement not only enhances consumer convenience but also aligns with Elaborados Naturales’ sustainability objectives. The new tray substitutes traditional plastic options and contains less than ten percent plastic, ensuring compliance with the European Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). Moreover, it is designed for recycling within household recycling streams without requiring the removal of the barrier liner.
According to Pierrick Van Hoorde, head of sales for tray & cup solutions at Graphic Packaging: “Our goal is to make transitioning to paperboard trays from plastic trays operationally simple and commercially successful while minimizing investment. We want to help brands and retailers meet their sustainability goals, adapt to upcoming legislation, and delight their consumers with packaging that is more circular, more functional, and more convenient. We truly believe that PaperSeal Shape and our whole paperboard tray portfolio are game changers in this regard.”
In close collaboration with Elaborados Naturales, the Graphic Packaging team meticulously engineered the hermetic seal to meet the stringent seal integrity standards enforced by the company. This ensures that the finished package preserves the contents as effectively as its plastic counterpart. Furthermore, the double-flanged structure of the PaperSeal Shape tray provides remarkable rigidity, allowing it to move through the supply chain efficiently and reach consumers in prime condition, thereby reducing food waste.
The smart structural design of the tray, combined with diligent material selection, enabled the development team to optimize material use while ensuring compatibility with the customer’s existing packaging lines. This innovation significantly minimizes the need for capital investment.
Currently, this new packaging solution supports two SKUs. The first product, Patatas Kebab, successfully launched in the Valencia area at the end of August and is now poised for national distribution. Meanwhile, the second product, Patatas Bravas, was introduced nationwide in November.
For further insights into Graphic Packaging and its extensive array of consumer packaging innovations, visit www.graphicpkg.com.
PaperSeal is a registered trademark of G. Mondini.
