A fully recyclable 80% paper-based packaging solution for cold meats and cheese developed by Mondi in collaboration with Austrian dairy producer SalzburgMilch will reduce the dairy producer’s plastic consumption for this packaging by approximately 40 tonnes per year.
SalzburgMilch previously used rigid plastic trays for their 175g packets of sliced cheese, sold at SPAR stores across Austria. The company has switched both its SalzburgMilch Premium brand and the premium own-brand SPAR Natur*pur organic cheese slices to the new packaging. Originally introduced in 2019, Mondi’s PerFORMing range offers the first 100% recyclable paper-based food trays in Europe.
The original product could be recycled in Austrian paper recycling streams. The updated, ‘removable’ packaging consists of a shallow paper tray coated with a thin, removable layer of plastic to provide the barrier properties needed to keep food fresh and avoid waste, yet enabling it to be 100% recycled in paper recycling streams across Europe. The packaging is claimed to offer a 70% CO₂ reduction compare to plastic alternative
The product is made locally in Austria, meaning transportation is kept to a minimum and the overall carbon footprint is reduced. The base paper for the tray is Advantage Formable, made predominantly from locally sourced wood and featuring a patented barrier. Advantage Formable is produced by Mondi Frantschach, while the trays are processed and coated by Mondi Zeltweg, both located in Austria.
The new trays are suitable for use on existing filling lines