Coveris, a leader in food and drink packaging, has partnered with the innovative Metis® plums brand to introduce a new line of sustainable packaging. This new offering, developed by top European fruit producers Royal (Spain), Blue Whale (France), and Granfrutta Zani (Italy)—in collaboration with variety manager Star Fruits and Rusticas Del Guadalquivir—features vibrant LinerlessLid and punnet packaging for Tesco. This initiative aligns with commitments to quality, environmental responsibility, and consumer appeal.
The Metis® plums are the result of careful breeding through the cross-pollination of selected apricot pollen and plum blooms. By expertly combining these varieties with plum trees, growers produce the unique, flavorful fruits that define the Metis® range. Their dedication to biodiversity and sustainability extends from the orchard to retail shelves with the introduction of LinerlessLid and punnet packaging scheduled for July 2025.
Coveris’ paper-based LinerlessLid and punnet solutions offer significant environmental, operational, and aesthetic benefits. This innovation merges certified sustainably sourced cartonboard punnets with LinerlessLid labels made from paper. As the food and drink sustainable packaging sector increasingly adopts paper-based alternatives, Coveris’ solutions not only reduce plastic use but also enhance packing speeds through automated Ravenwood machinery.
The LinerlessLid label acts as a closure, securing the fruit while providing ample space for impactful branding and clear product communication. With visible apertures, consumers can easily see the fruit, boosting confidence in their purchase. The eye-catching design for Metis® plums ensures strong shelf appeal, distinguishing it in a competitive market and reinforcing its premium positioning.
This collaborative launch of the new Metis® plums packaging for Tesco underscores a shared commitment to fostering sustainable innovation throughout the food value chain. Additionally, it highlights a notable trend within the fresh produce sector, marked by the rise of own-brand offerings.
Nigel Hewitt, Coveris’ Paper Business Unit Sales Director, remarked: “The move towards paper-based formats is one of the key drivers in fresh produce packaging, and our LinerlessLid and punnet solution exemplifies how innovation can deliver both sustainability and standout shelf appeal. For stone fruit like plums, it offers sustainable sourcing, robust product protection, and packing efficiency, minimizing environmental impact while maximizing value from grower to consumer, fully aligned with our No Waste strategy. This is a great example of how packaging can elevate premium ranges and support the environmental goals of producers and retailers alike. We’re proud to support the Metis® brand with this exciting launch.”
Coveris’ leadership in sustainable practices was recently recognized at the Environmental Packaging Awards in London, where it won the Gold Award for Sustainable Packaging Business of the Year. This accolade reaffirms the company’s commitment to setting industry benchmarks in food and drink packaging.
