Since this year, the wide range of sustainable packaging solutions has also included compostable trays made from potato waste. The developer and manufacturer of this forward-looking solution is the Italian-Swiss start-up PeelPack AG. The aim of this process is not only to close cycles and reduce waste along the chain but also to contribute to a plastic-free future for the industry, reports co-founder Slava Drigloff on request.
© PeelPack AG
Cherry tomatoes in sustainable trays
"We recycle potato peels and waste that would otherwise be disposed of: we process, dry, and crush them. The resulting raw material is mixed with other natural materials and processed into sturdy trays in the final thermoforming process. Our goal is to create a cycle based on the valuable raw material of waste," says the young company.
The trays are currently being piloted in collaboration with Tobi SeeObst, one of Switzerland's leading producers and distributors of fruit and berries from Thurgau, as well as other cherry tomato producers from the region. In the long term, the aim is to offer the leading European food retail chains an alternative to plastic with these sustainable trays.
© PeelPack AG
Sustainable fruit trays from PeelPack. So far, 250g and 500g trays are mainly being used.
EU Packaging Regulation leads to an increase in demand
The founding team is firmly convinced of the solution's high potential and points to the EU Packaging Regulation (PPWR), which is to come into force in stages by 2030 and declares war on fossil-based plastic at the point of sale. According to PeelPack AG, the change in legislation is considered an absolute game-changer that is set to accelerate structural change significantly in the food packaging sector. "We are convinced that demand for local, sustainable alternatives will increase, and we want to meet this demand with our circular, cost-effective solution. In the medium to long term, our patented process will also reduce emissions, microplastic pollution, and dependence on imported bioplastics. Another advantage is its seamless integration into existing supply chains."
© PeelPack AGThe raw material is sourced from potato processing companies in Switzerland and Italy.
Extending shelf life
Another parameter is the protective function and product safety, Drigloff continues. "Soft fruits such as strawberries and raspberries usually only have a shelf life of five days. Previous research results indicate that our trays help to extend the shelf life by a few days. We have designed the trays to ensure proper ventilation so that the products can 'breathe'. This prevents condensation, mold, and bacteria. It also reduces spoilage at the point of sale and, ultimately, food waste."
Peelpack is one of seven startups selected by FoodSeed on October 21 to actively shape the sustainable future of the food industry. "This not only helps us to obtain the necessary investments, but we also benefit from the broad network of these organizations, for example, in the important growing countries of Spain and Italy. This has already led to concrete inquiries from both countries. We also attended this year's Fruit Attraction in Madrid, where we were able to acquire customers in Spain, Portugal, and the Netherlands."
© PeelPack AG
Slava Drigloff, Massimo Bagnani, and Rodolfo Dimasi
Further solutions already planned
The trays are still being produced by industrial partners in Switzerland and Italy. The aim is to promote a local production model in which potato peelings from Swiss retailers and producers are processed in Switzerland and then reused in the form of packaging on the shelves of these retailers, thus closing a genuine value creation cycle. From there, the company also wants to develop further variants, according to Drigloff. "There is demand in the sector because disposing of vegetable waste costs businesses a lot of money. We also plan to develop further packaging solutions and sustainable concepts for the food and catering industry. Accordingly, we could imagine adapting this technology to other products in the medium to long term."
For more information:
Slava Drigloff
PeelPack AG
Mob. +41 78353 2558
[email protected]
www.peelpack.ch
