Page 39 - Packaging News magazine Sep-Oct 2022

A first in paper for frozen food
Parkside has collaborated with British supermarket chain Iceland to deliver one of the first recyclable paper packs for frozen food.
THE NEW SUSTAINABLE packaging has been designed for Iceland’s Northcoast range of frozen sea- food which was previously packed in an LDPE bag, but following the project with Parkside, is now packed in a spe- cially developed recyclable paper pouch with excellent grease and oil resistance.
“As everyone knows, we are loud and proud about our forward-thinking ideas and commitment to plastic-free packaging across our products,” said Mark Armstrong, packaging specialist at Iceland.
The packaging solution is seen as a significant milestone for the supermarket chain in its pursuit of plastic-free packaging, as well as for the frozen food sector, as it represents one of the first successful applications of
paper flexible packaging for frozen food. “Until recently, achieving a high level of grease and oil resistance and heat seal ability for frozen food has been extremely challenging,” said Mark Shaw,
sales account manager at Parkside. “Typically, a plastic layer would need to be extruded or laminated to the paper, which would then need to be removed
when recycling post-consumer use. “Our technology removes the need for the plastic, and gives a recyclable paper solution with the added
benefit of high barrier functionality.” The heat-sealable paper solution was designed to withstand the rigours of frost and moisture in a freezer envi- ronment, for prolonged periods of time. This has been achieved by cre- ating excellent heat sealability, and by
Above: The packaging solution is seen as a significant milestone for the frozen food sector.
utilising a range of water-based coatings with high barrier performance, which are designed to break down when re- pulped in the paper recycling process.
“Bag sealing was a challenge, as was ensuring the material had the neces- sary barrier properties,” Armstrong says, noting that time was also spent ensuring the print quality matched the existing LDPE bag. ■
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