Suitable for hard cheese as well as fresh or processed meat and fish, the packaging has a transparent appearance but is abrasion- and heat-resistant, able to withstand temperatures of up to 90°C/194°F.
What sets it apart from existing polyamide (PA) and polyethylene (PE) packaging films however is its recyclability and carbon emission reduction promise. Unlike other plastic thermoforming films, Amcor says its new product can offer up to 80% reduction in carbon emissions. This estimate is based on a lifecycle assessment carried out with Amcor’s in-house carbon footprinting methodology ASSET, which is certified by the Carbon Trust.
The product is also certified as ‘recycle-ready’ by the independent testing and certification body Cyclos-HTP within PE streams.
But whether consumers will be able to simply pop the packaging in their recycling bin would depend on their location – according to Cyclos-HTP, countries where this type of multifilm packaging is recycled at scale are Austria, Belgium, Germany, Denmark, Spain, France, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, and Slovenia. Amcor meanwhile is offering the new thermoforming film in Europe, Middle East and Africa this January.
“Meat, fish and dairy producers today are looking for better choices when it comes to more sustainable packaging,” commented Rosalia Rosalinova, senior marketing manager at Amcor. “As our customers look at ways of reducing their own carbon footprint, we are constantly evolving our product portfolio to support them. Our new thermoforming films offer both businesses and consumers a better choice when it comes to recycle-ready packaging.”
