Tag Archives: Food

Waitrose launches home compostable ready meal packaging

Waitrose has launched what it says is the world’s first home compostable ready meal packaging as it aims to move nine million products out of black plastic.

Waitrose launches home compostable ready meal packaging

Working with Huhtamaki, the new containers, which are fibre based and similar in texture to cardboard, are now certified home compostable for the first time.

Its suppliers Huhtamaki and Saladworks produced the packaging which can be heated in the oven and microwave and is cool to touch after cooking. The fiber-based packaging is Forest Stewardship Council certified, creates a 50% saving in Co2 emissions, and can also be recycled.

The packaging innovation will initially replace many of the retailer’s Italian ready meal trays, saving 158 tonnes of black plastic.

Karen Graley, manager, packaging & reprographics, Waitrose & Partners, said: “Pioneering the first home compostable ready meal packaging that ensures customers can continue to cook their food quickly, safely, and now more sustainably, is a major breakthrough in packaging innovation. This step – combined with moving millions of ready meals out of black plastic – is a significant milestone in how we package food and eliminate hard to recycle material for good.”

The new Italian ready meal packaging will be available in Waitrose & Partners shops at the end of this month and will include Chilli Prawn Spaghetti, Broccoli Orecchiette, and Tomato and Mozzarella Pasta Bake.

Unease over governments plastic packaging plan

Critics have hit back at the government’s 25-year plan with concerns over its litter strategy and a lack of praise for packaging’s role in combating food waste.

Unease over governments plastic packaging plan

Prime Minister Theresa May set out the government’s vision on the environment and wanted to end the “scourge” of plastic packaging in waterways and oceans. She outlined plans for a tax or charge on single-use packaging and urged retailers to introduce plastic-free aisles.

However, in a statement, the British Plastic Federation (BPF) said that it was “very disturbed” at the tone of the Prime Minister’s language and it did not recognise the 170,000 jobs that the plastics industry brings to the UK.

The BPF added: “To stop plastics entering the sea from the West, the plastics industry would like to see a tougher stance on littering. It is highly doubtful that simply providing alternative materials will actually reduce littering in the UK, as this is an issue of personal behavior. It should be noted that the types of products that enter the marine environment from the UK tend to be those that have been irresponsibly littered — not packaging materials for fresh produce that are typically consumed at home and then disposed of responsibly.

“Plastics should not be in the sea and it is right that the UK, alongside other developed nations, should set an example of best practice. As has been pointed out, the vast quantity of plastics in the seas arrive there from the less developed economies of Asia, which have rudimentary waste management systems. Plastics get into the seas by a number of routes and each route needs to be dealt with separately.”

Martin Kersh, executive director of the Foodservice Packaging Association, was also disappointed that the national litter strategy wasn’t mentioned. He added that food waste should form part of the government’s strategy.

“Food waste was not referred to by the Prime Minister along with the role that packaging has played in extending shelf life,” said Kersh. “Whatever we do [in regards to plastic packaging] we must not risk increasing food waste.”

He added that May’s speech did not place enough emphasis on the recycling of all materials and said that the packaging industry would “100%” provide evidence for the proposed tax on single-use plastic packaging.

“What we would like to see is PRN reform on the terms of reference,” said Kersh. “We would be disappointed if this was not the case.”

Lorax Compliance chief operating officer Michelle Carvell said that “real opportunities” had been missed to create a joined-up policy to tackle “the UK’s mounting waste crisis”.

“As it stands, the government’s plan is little more than a kneejerk reaction which works as a placeholder prior to the looming policy changes ahead in our post-Brexit landscape,” said Carvell. “It says very little and promises to deliver even less, with no legal force included in the strategy.”

Gillian Garside-Wight, packaging technology director at Sun Branding Solutions, said that a “holistic approach is required to address a very complex issue”.

She added: “In our experience when our clients have switched to more responsible packaging solutions this has required investment from product development through to supply chain alterations which may or may not be cost neutral.  The ongoing debate remains – who will pick up this cost?

“Consumers are the catalyst driving change, now along with the government pledge (not just us), this will result in big changes to consumer behavior and the retail environment.  Brands and retailers need to move faster to respond to their customers’ demands.  This is a good start, however, there’s lots of other challenges to be resolved. For example, back of store packaging that consumers never see. We must not forget the primary function of packaging is to contain, protect, preserve and promote and we must continue to ensure it does not damage the environment we live in.”

The government’s strategy was welcomed by David Palmer-Jones, chief executive of Suez Recycling and Recovery. He said that the plan “rightly places our environment at the heart of government strategy”.

He added: “Having invested heavily in new facilities to support the move away from landfill over the last decade, we are pleased that this plan recognises the important role energy recovery facilities have played in this transition and the ambition to make these facilities more efficient by identifying ways to increase the use of the heat they produce.

“Overall, the plan represents an important first step towards policies that will support the growth of our industry and enable it to play a pivotal role in the development of a more resource efficient, sustainable economy.  Systemic change is needed to tackle the complex issues facing us and ensure coordination with national infrastructure plans and the Industrial Strategy.  We urge Government to work with our industry on the detail of its new Resources and Waste Strategy to develop a world-leading approach for the UK.”

The Campaign to Protect Rural England. Samantha Harding, litter programme director said: “It’s impressive the government has chosen to respond so emphatically to the plastic plague that is already putting our countryside, cities, and oceans at risk of irreversible harm.

“The charge on plastic bags has shown that we easily adapt to financial incentives, so the prospect of further charges or taxes that could eliminate products like plastic straws and stirrers is really positive news. And promoting innovation amongst producers will be critical to ensuring we eliminate unnecessary single-use items, as well as making sure that they are taking financial responsibility for the impact these products have.”

International Paper KFC food bucket packaging award

International Paper Foodservice Europe has won the Breakthrough Supplier of the Year Award.

International Paper KFC food bucket packaging award

It was awarded in recognition of its work to develop the innovative, grease-resistant food bucket.

Over a two-year period, working closely with KFC UK and Ireland, the in-house team at International Paper Foodservice Europe’s headquarters in Winsford, Cheshire, designed, manufactured, trialled and brought the food bucket to market.

The food bucket uses a robust, resistant lining which prevents the build-up of excess oil to improve food presentation and removes plastic from the construction of the product.

Further development work targeted the outer of the container to give it extra visual impact.

KFC UK and Ireland wanted a glossy finish, but that needed to be achieved without the addition of a plastic coating.

International Paper developed a clay-coated finish that brings extra vibrancy to the print.

Dayo Akinlabi, Supply Chain Manager at KFC UK & Ireland, said: “Our bucket is a truly iconic piece of packaging, but we’re always looking to innovate when it comes to the presentation of our food. It was great to be able to recognise the International Paper Foodservice European team with this well-deserved award. Their collaborative approach led to them delivering an excellent final product – congratulations again to the whole team.”

Mike Turner, managing director of International Paper Foodservice Europe, said: “These awards are attended by some 400 suppliers to KFC and the Breakthrough Supplier of the Year Award is one of the most prestigious. It has taken determination, technical capability and expertise to develop this truly unique, pioneering product and bring it to market. To be recognised with such a prestigious award is an accomplishment the entire team at Winsford – across all disciplines – should be very proud of.”

Sealed Air Corporation sells New Diversey

Sealed Air Corporation is selling its Diversey Care division and the food hygiene and cleaning business within its Food Care division.

Sealed Air Corporation

Under the collective banner New Diversey, the division has been acquired by Bain Capital Private Equity for approximately $3.2bn (£2.57bn).

The sale will allow Sealed Air to focus more sharply on its provision of food, product and medical packaging solutions. Upon closing of the transaction, Sealed Air expects to use the proceeds to repay debt and maintain its net leverage ratio in the range of 3.5 to 4.0 times, repurchase shares to minimise earnings dilution, and fund core growth initiatives, including potential complementary acquisitions to its Food Care and Product Care divisions.

New Diversey integrates chemicals, floor care machines, tools and equipment, with a wide range of technology-based value-added services, food safety services and water and energy management. It will continue to employ approximately 8,600 people globally. Diversey Care and the related food hygiene businesses combined generated net sales of approximately $2.6bn (£2.09bn) in 2016.

The deal includes a formal offer to acquire certain of Diversey’s business in France and the Netherlands, which may be accepted following Works Council consultation. The results of operations of New Diversey will be reported as discontinued operations beginning in the first quarter of 2017. Sealed Air is tentatively scheduled to report its first quarter 2017 results on 9 May, 2017.

Speaking about the likely strategy behind the acquisition, Nicholas Mockett, head of packaging M&A, Moorgate Capital, said:“Sealed Air is a global market leader in food and healthcare flexible packaging markets. It is one of the few packaging companies with brands which are recognised by consumers, particularly Cryovac and Jiffy. There was a rationale behind the $4.3bn acquisition of Diversey in June 2011 but the markets did not like the deal and pushed Sealed Air’s share price down as a consequence. Selling the business on to Bain Capital for $3.2bn is drawing a line under that chapter.”

Packaging Guidelines Launched by INCPEN and FDF

Packaging guidelines launched by INCPEN and FDF. INCPEN has linked up with (FDF) to publish a set of guidelines to optimise the use of packaging in the supply chain.

Packaging guidelines launched by INCPEN and FDF

Titled ‘Packaging for people, planet and profit – sustainability checklist’, the publication has a forward from Defra minister Thérèse Coffey.

The checklist is designed to help companies choose and optimise their packaging systems with the aim of improving sustainability through the supply chain.

Jane Bickerstaffe, director of INCPEN, said: “The checklist will help companies improve packaging for food and drink and other products, make it more consumer-friendly and make supply chains more resource-efficient. Supply chain companies are more aware of and responsive to, environmental concerns than many businesses. This checklist will help them demonstrate that responsiveness to the public.”

Helen Munday, director of food safety, science and sustainability and chief scientific officer, Food and Drink Federation, added: “This guidance will help businesses choose and optimise their use of packaging in ways that will contribute to a net improvement in the use of resources across the value chain. This improvement can be achieved whilst continuing to ensure that food safety and quality requirements are not compromised. We encourage all food and drink operators to use it.”

The checklist is also part of the FDF’s Ambition 2025 strategy, which aims to minimise the impact of used packaging associated with food and drink products. It also aims to encourage innovation in packaging technology and design.