Mondi, a leading global packaging and paper manufacturer, has collaborated with BIOhof Kirchweidach, an organic farm in Bavaria, to design a sustainable packaging solution for 500g packs of tomatoes on the vine to be distributed to PENNY supermarkets, owned by major German retailer REWE Group.
Coral Tray fulfils BIOhof’s objective of replacing its previous packaging, which used 2.5 g of plastic film per pack, with a recyclable and plastic-free solution, supporting REWE Group’s sustainability goals. It’s called ‘Coral Tray’ because of its resemblance to undersea coral and contribution to reducing plastic waste, potentially helping to protect marine life. This innovative new packaging is fully recyclable and made of renewable material and recycled corrugated board, which has an average recycling rate of over 80% in Europe.
Packaging experts at Mondi Grünburg in Austria worked with BIOhof’s team to design the one-piece corrugated tray with integrated lid made of lightweight F-Flute. Both the fluting and outer liner are made of 100% recycled material and the KraftTop inner liner ensures it meets food contact requirements. The new solution can be mechanised for up to six different package sizes and gives BIOhof the option of using it for other small organic produce.
“At Mondi we are committed to being Sustainable by Design and were delighted to work with BIOhof to help expand their portfolio of sustainable packaged products. The Coral Tray offers great shelf appeal. Mondi’s expertise ensured the perfect balance was struck between good consumer view of the product inside, tray stability for stacking during transport and perfect stiffness for mechanisation.” Jan Blankiewicz, Product Innovation Manager at Mondi Corrugated Solutions
“PENNY is pursuing a long-term sustainability strategy in which packaging plays a central role. We do not look at the topic in isolation, but always see it in the context of our fight against food waste. So we do not do without packaging at the cost of throwing much more food away. I am therefore all the more pleased that we have developed fully recyclable cardboard packaging for the Naturgut Bio tomatoes on the vine,” said Patricia Brunn, PENNY Category Director Fruits, Vegetables, Flowers & Plants.
“Due to the stability of the packaging, the product is extremely well protected against damage. It also eliminates the risk of the tomatoes being bruised in the shopping basket or on the way home with consumers. The goods breathe through the air holes, which reduces the risk of mould forming. Likewise, condensation cannot form, which often happens with plastic packaging,” said Florian Steiner, Managing Director of BIOhof Kirchweidach.
Coral Tray is the result of Mondi’s successful customer-centric approach, EcoSolutions, which helps customers to develop packaging and paper solutions that are sustainable by design. By partnering with Mondi, BIOhof was able to switch to an environmentally responsible packaging solution with great shelf appeal, which is a real advantage as a supplier to an important supermarket group.
https://www.mondigroup.com/en/newsroom/press-release/2020/mondi-and-biohof-replace-plastic-wrapping-with-fully-corrugated-solution-for-fresh-produce/