"Linpac was the first in Europe to offer 100% recycled packaging," says Joop de Vries of Linpac. Linpac is part of the Klöckner Pentaplast and Infia is the brand for the fruit and vegetables packagings. Linpac produces packaging made from 100% recycled PET. "In the Netherlands and a lot of other countries a lot of PET bottles are handed in. We use these bottle to make our packaging," says Joop.
The packaging is made of 100% recycled material
"The material isn't suitable for reuse when handed in, it has to be ground up and cleaned first. A lot of other producers grind up the PET bottles and enclose the recycled material between two layers of 'clean' material, as the recycled material isn't suitable food products. Linpac has developed a way to clean the recycled material so that it can directly contact food." The manufacturer ensures that the packaging is 100% recycled in this way.
Packaging for different types of fruit and vegetables
"Topseal packaging is a trend in the market. By using a top seal, you are reducing the use of plastic among other things. Top seal is lighter in material, which saves a lot of packaging material," according to Joop. Due to the use of the top seal, however, the ventilation space between the lid and dish of the ventilation of the side of the lid is disappearing. This means the product isn't able to ventilate properly. Linpac now has a special application to punch holes in the bottom of the packaging, as well as the sides. "Side ventilation has three main advantages: cooling the product is done 25% fast, which allows more capacity in the cooling house and is better for the product.
The side ventilation also means that there is less condensation forming, which prevents mould and is better for presentation. Side ventilation also means that the ethylene that various fruits and vegetables products leaves the packaging more quickly, which delays ripening and extends the shelf life. A good example is packaging grapes. previously, grapes were packaged in a packaging with a hinged lid. There was space between the lid and the punnet which functioned as ventilation. Various retailers switched to top seal, which meant losing the space to ventilation holes in the bottom of the punnet and the top of the foil. Using side ventilation the product can be packaged with the advantages of top seal and use the advantages of side ventilation." Packaging with side ventilation is not only for grapes, but also for soft fruit and other types of fruit and vegetables.
Packaging with side ventilation for soft fruit
Punnets of grapes foreseen of side ventilation
"Everyone is looking for an organic plastic that is biodegradable." Linpac has a research department which is continually looking for a material that is 100% environmentally friendly and usable in large numbers. This material will be there in there future, but in the short term we will have to make do with what is available at the moment, making RPET the best solution for now. It's more important to reuse the material multiple times at the moment," concludes Joop.
For more information:
Joop de Vries
Sales
Linpac/Infia
+31(0)513 657 120