Picard, a France-based food company specialised in frozen products, has replaced its plastic tub for ice cream packaging with a new carton-based solution from AR Packaging.
AR Packaging has developed the carton-based ice cream box with an integrated lid to support Picard’s efforts to reduce the use of plastic in its packaging.
The new ice cream box comprises more than 95% cartonboard, based on renewable fibres from sustainably managed forests, and comes with a thin inner layer of polyethylene (PE) to ensure product protection.
The new carton-based solution is recyclable in the paper stream many countries, and would save 16,5 tons of plastic packaging per annum, said the packaging company.
AR Packaging food and consumer goods sales director Pierre Guillebeau said: “The new ice cream packaging for Picard is one more example of how we challenge the conventional and develop more sustainable solutions without compromising product quality, consumer convenience and industrial efficiency.
“This fibre-based packaging can be used for many other products than ice cream too, for example frozen foods and chilled ready meals, and support brand owners to substantially reduce its carbon footprint from packaging.”
According to the company, consumers, governments and associations have increased pressure on brand owners and food producers to minimise their use of plastic.
AR Packaging’s development team at the plant in Cholet, France, has developed an easy-to-use alternative to the 500ml plastic tub for ice cream packaging.
The box is supplied as an erected tray with an integrated lid and re-closable option, where product leakage is prevented using a smart construction with a special flap.
It comes with two options for the lid, which either can be formed manually after filling or can be formed mechanically in the filling and packaging line at the customer facility.
Picard packaging project manager Gilles Lapique said: “Our main motivation is to find alternatives to plastic packaging when the product and its environment allow it. We were looking for an innovative cartonboard solution, which would allow us to find harmony in the complete “Le Petit Marchand de glaces” range.
“Our desire was to adapt a box-style casket, easily automated by our packers and guaranteeing all the functionality of an equivalent plastic packaging.”