"Brexit impact for SEALPAC is expected to be manageable" -Martijn Scheffers
2018 was the year that clearly marked the need for sustainability in the food technology sector. Less plastic, less food waste and convenience food are the main key factor that this sector must address in the coming years, as the market is influenced by the consumers. SEALPAC International is already offering innovative solutions to these issues but, as Martijn Scheffers, SEALPAC International Sales Manager mentioned in an interview for EuroMeatNews, „a sustainable solution is not always easy to find”.
1. How profitable was the year 2018 for Sealpac International, and what were the main challenges that you had to address last year?
We once again had a very successful year, actually the best year ever. With the amount of orders on the rise, our biggest challenge has been to maintain our fast delivery times. As our existing markets continue to grow and we also still expand geographically, this challenge remains for now.
2. As the food industry gets more influenced by the consumer, what are the options for the food technology sector in adapting to the new trends in the market?
From a consumer’s point of view, we see three important demands: less food waste, more sustainability and optimized convenience. With the growing number of single-person households and small-sized families, the demand for smaller pack formats is rising. In order to reduce food waste, we see more and more types of portion packaging being launched into the market. Based on the need for more sustainability, which needs to be clearly visible on the product, the food industry is looking to reduce packaging materials in general and plastics in particular. Especially retailers are searching for new packaging systems or more sustainable packaging materials, such as bio-based plastic, cardboard or 100% recyclable plastic. In the meantime, convenience as a trend is here to stay. Consumers expect to buy ready meals and snacks that are not only securely packaged, but also very easy to prepare. As a result, we see an increase in requests for ready-to-cook meat products. This has led to various solutions for no-touch cooking of food in microwavable or ovenable packaging.
3. In terms of innovation and automation, what are the latest novelties that your company wants to share with its customers at IFFA 2019?
At IFFA 2019, under the slogan “GO sustainable!”, we will present several sustainable packaging solutions. Our brand-new eTray®system is going to be a sustainable alternative for MAP applications. The basis of eTray® is high-quality cardboard, which can be fully printed on the inside and outside, hence offering plenty of space for communication. The only plastic used is a thin inner layer that purely provides the sealing and barrier function. This plastic layer is easy to remove, and thus easy to recycle. Compared to common trays in the market, up to40% less plastic is used. The eTray®system offers fresh products, such as minced meat, goulash, seafood, poultry and convenience meals, optimal protection whilst ensuring an eye-catching appearance at retail.
By also presenting our well-established FlatSkin® concept, SEALPAC’s sustainable skin packaging solution, and our proven EasyLid® system at IFFA, we will highlight a whole range of resource-saving solutions on our traysealers in Frankfurt.
Furthermore, on our PRO-series thermoformer, we will demonstrate a sustainable pack that will shake up the thermoforming segment. For this application, the top and bottom film consist of coated paper, which is supplied by film manufacturers Billerud Korsnäs and Wipak. The bottom film is based on paper from sustainable managed forests and requires less heat to achieve an excellent forming result, whilst the top film contains an attractive print and see-through window.
4. In the last few years, SEALPAC has pointed out the benefits brought by several innovations, such as FlatSkin®. What is the market response for this product at this point and how did it influence the food industry so far?
The need for more sustainable packaging solutions is growing strongly. We see 2018 as the year in which sustainable packaging became a top priority for the food industry. As a result, many different initiatives popped up. From mono, via biodegradable, to 100% plant-based (including banana leaves) packaging materials. A worldwide strategy is missing, but at least retailers and manufacturers start to rethink the impact of the packaging they provide into the marketplace. With our FlatSkin® solution, we were one of the first to offer a sustainable skin packaging system. Today, we have FlatSkin® applications in over ten different countries, and the interest is still rising. We expect that our new eTray® concept will have the same impact in the segment of modified atmosphere packaging.
5. Brexit will certainly have an impact on trade. Does this event affect your business? What's the company exposure to the British market?
With over 50% of their food products being imported, Brexit is bound to have a huge impact on the British food industry. Furthermore, the EU food industry sales will probably be impacted by stronger competition from non-EU countries that supply their products on the British market. The impact for us at SEALPAC is expected to be manageable. As we serve many countries, there is always somewhat of a balance; where one produces less, we normally see someone else produce more.
6. What are the company's current development plans, and what do you intend to do in the near future to expand your business?
We are always carefully looking for opportunities to expand our business geographically, but only if we find the right partner in the area. In the past years, we appointed three new representatives in Latin America, as well as started a cooperation with a new distributor in Israel. In terms of packaging solutions, our research & development focus is on sustainable concepts that save the environment yet still provide a reliable packaging process. We do this in close cooperation with our competent partners, such as film and tray suppliers. With regard to our challenge on fast delivery times due to growing sales, we concluded that further expansion of our factory is required. We have made the first steps in the process already and are confidently looking to the future.
7. What are the main challenges that the food technology sector has to address right now, and what is Sealpac International doing to overcome this challanges?
Our main challenge is to assist our customers, whether retailers or manufacturers, in finding the right packaging solution for their product to meet any upcoming EU, global or local regulations on plastic. We are very aware that the amount of plastic in packaging, and especially single-use plastic, should be reduced. But, particularly in the meat sector, a sustainable solution is not always easy to find. Plastic reduction is required, but only up to the level where food safety, shelf life and convenience remain assured. We are developing and testing the latest materials, as well as continuously updating our traysealers and thermoformers to new requirements, so we can offer our clients the best packaging system for their product.
8. What is the influence of e-commerce for the food industry, and what do you foresee in the near future as trends to develop?
Most retailers have online shopping possibilities these days, with the option to pick up the groceries yourself or have them delivered straight to your home. So far, this has had no major consequences for the primary packaging of food items: they still need to be carefully protected, have sufficient shelf life and be easy to handle. On the other hand, the need to differentiate products online becomes more and more evident. Compared to a product on a retail shelf, which a consumer can take into his hands, the presentation online is quite static. Therefore, a more detailed presentation of the product, its characteristics and its benefits are needed to increase the buying intention. So even if the product selection takes place on the basis of pictures on the internet, food items still require a striking package!
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