FlatSkin system adopted by Austrian meat manufacturers
Food retailers in Austria, like in many other European countries, increasingly choose vacuum skin packaging. This technology can be found in a growing number of varieties across the retail shelves, owing to its obvious benefits: securely sealed under deep vacuum, food products have a significantly longer shelf life and can be presented in a much more attractive way. By introducing FlatSkin, SEALPAC now offers a revolutionary skin packaging system to the market, which combines the renowned vacuum process with a plastic reduction of up to 75%. In Austria, several manufacturers are already offering their protein products in FlatSkinpackaging at retail, informs SEALPAC.
Less plastic
The FlatSkin system, a joint development of SEALPAC (tray-sealing technology), VG Nicolaus (cardboard carrier) and Wentus (skin film), combines an attractive product presentation and extended shelf life with a highly sustainable use of packaging materials. Instead of common plastic skin trays, the FlatSkinsystem uses cardboard carriers that allow for double-sided printing, hence offering optimal space for product information whilst providing unique branding opportunities.
A highly transparent barrier skin film fixates the product directly onto the extremely flat cardboard carrier, which has been coated with a polymeric protective layer. This layer provides stability to the cardboard and forms a reliable barrier against grease, moisture, and oxygen. FlatSkin packs are perfectly suited to vertical presentation (e.g. hanging or standing), making them true eye-catchers at retail. In addition, the tight-fitting skin film provides an attractive 3D effect that highlights the product to the fullest.
The FlatSkinsystem uses cardboard carriers made from bleached or unbleached fibre, which can be printed on both sides by means of low-migration printing inks and varnishes. After taking out the product, the thin polymeric layer is easily removed from the cardboard to allow for separate disposal. As such, the FlatSkin system achieves a plastic reduction of up to 75%, hence providing an answer to the food sector’s increasing demand for sustainability. FlatSkin is suitable for a wide range of product segments, such as fresh meat, cheese, poultry, and seafood.
From stores to online channels
"Since the spring of 2018, the company OSI Austria Foodworkshas been successfully supplying all NETTO Marken-Discount stores in Germany with steaks packaged inFlatSkin. The meat comes from OSI’s own facilities in UK and Austria, such as dry-aged steaks from Alpenrind in Salzburg. In addition, its range of steaks includes international specialties from Ireland, Australia, and the US. Crucial to the decision to switch to FlatSkin, next to the environmental benefits, has been the particularly strong product presentation and durable flatness of the cardboard carriers while being able to maintain the shelf life of its previous packaging.
AtMarcherFleischwerke, FlatSkin is applied for the premium steak range that it sells through the internet (www.fleischwerkstatt.at). Furthermore, FlatSkin packaging is used for steaks sold under the label „Zuru?ck zum Ursprung“(„Back to the roots”) atHOFERretail stores in specific regions in Austria. With this brand, it is particularly important to offer a sustainable solution all the way from the raw ingredients to the final packaging, which is what FlatSkin provides. Especially premium cuts of beef are presented at their best by using this vacuum skin technology.
Companies like Sonnberg Biofleisch and HuberTirol will also rely on FlatSkin in the near future. Here, the products of HuberTirol will not only be available at SPAR supermarkets in Austria but also abroad at for example EDEKA stores in Germany,", according to SEALPAC's press release.
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