Sharpak, a frontrunner in innovative food and drink packaging solutions, proudly announces the launch of SharpTek. This groundbreaking, fully recyclable mono material tray is engineered to protect and cushion delicate berries without relying on glued absorbent pads. This initiative marks a significant advancement in sustainable packaging, eliminating hundreds of tonnes of waste from the supply chain. It showcases both Sharpak and the Groupe Guillin’s strong commitment to the circular economy, leveraging their manufacturing expertise to reduce environmental impact.
Historically, the berry industry has depended on glued pads to shield these fragile fruits. However, traditional solutions present recycling challenges; adhesives hinder the recycling process, while the pads themselves often lack consistent recyclability. SharpTek transforms this paradigm with a mono material PET packaging solution that resolves these issues. It incorporates up to 80% recycled PET (rPET) content and guarantees full recyclability through kerbside collection.
Innovative Design and Development
SharpTek is the result of years of dedicated research, development, and rigorous testing. One of the principal technical challenges was creating a soft base from mono material PET—a material typically known for its rigidity. This innovative solution allows us to eliminate the necessity for absorbent pads. Significant advancements in tooling design and tray manufacturing processes were essential to achieve a consistent, cushioning base. The final product not only meets all functionality and recyclability standards but is also 17% lighter than existing trays that use absorbent pads.
Enhanced Product Quality and Sustainability
The innovative design of SharpTek effectively separates juices from the berries, which helps maintain product quality and reduce food waste. This aligns with UK retailers’ ongoing strategies to minimize packaging while ensuring product integrity and extended shelf life. Consumers will appreciate the easy-to-recycle packaging that requires no additional steps, as there are no glued pads to remove, simplifying the recycling process.
Circular Economy Commitment
SharpTek’s mono material structure facilitates straightforward processing within recycling streams, ensuring that valuable rPET can be efficiently reintegrated into the manufacturing cycle. This exemplifies an ideal circular economy model for food and drink sustainable packaging.
“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
Produced at Sharpak’s state-of-the-art Aylesham facility, which recently received a prestigious BRC AA+ rating following an unannounced audit, SharpTek is designed for seamless integration into existing packing lines. This integration occurs without the need for costly upgrades or modifications, ensuring operational efficiency.
For additional information, visit www.sharpak.co.uk.
