DS Smith has teamed up with Priméale, a subsidiary of the agricultural and food group Agrial, to create a plastic-free, fiber-based punnet for Priméale’s Vegetable Kit Range. These punnets are recyclable and designed to safeguard products during transportation and while displayed on supermarket shelves.

Source: PackagingInsights

The innovative packaging utilizes fiber-based corrugated cardboard featuring an integrated moisture barrier, making it suitable for wet food contact. Additionally, it includes a transparent cellulose hydrate lid that enhances product visibility.

This breakthrough is part of DS Smith’s overall strategy to support its customers in their transition to sustainable and circular packaging solutions while maintaining the essential functionalities of product protection and presentation for these fresh food products.

^{Benjamin Chedal, director of Sales, Marketing, and Innovation at DS Smith}

This packaging solution seals tightly and securely, ensuring that the food remains at appropriate temperatures for preservation and protection.

DS Smith provides punnets in both small and large sizes, with customization options available to cater to customer needs. The corrugated cardboard exterior can also feature graphic designs or branding elements for optimal visibility at the point of sale.

This product combines practicality and quality while being packaged in a fully recyclable alternative to existing plastic trays. This new tray, which stands out for its strength, resistance, and transparency, is the result of the joint efforts of our Priméale teams and our supplier, DS Smith. This innovation will meet our consumers’ expectations in terms of functionality and recyclability.

^{Christophe Charvieux, director of Sales and Marketing at Priméale France}

Plastic Reduction

DS Smith is dedicated to transforming the packaging industry towards a circular economy. The international paper packaging company aims to focus on replacing problematic plastics, offering plastic recycling solutions, and investing in research for new materials and fiber.

Consumers want to buy less plastic but maintain the same functional capabilities in their products. Some material properties must be improved to replace plastic packaging with fiber-based material such as corrugated cardboard. Fiber-based material is porous, allowing gases and elements to pass through, so we must use different barriers as part of the makeup of our material.

^{Susana Aucejo, Surface and Barrier director at DS Smith}

Recently, Packaging Insights interviewed Susana Aucejo, Surface and Barrier director at DS Smith, regarding the packaging industry's "paperization shift" in response to stricter waste management regulations and the rising consumer demand for plastic alternatives.