Canadian company Cascades, a developer of eco-friendly recycling, packaging, and hygiene solutions, has created a thermoformed cardboard tray made from recycled material for North American fresh food packagers who utilize automated equipment.
The company said the tray is the first 100-percent recycled and recyclable packaging solution of its kind, and was developed with a circular economy approach and eco-design principles. Composed of fibers sourced predominantly from “post-consumer sources certified ‘recycled’ under the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) standard,” Cascades said in a press release.
“In addition, [the tray] is designed with a patented water-based coating that protects it from moisture without compromising the recyclability of the cardboard. Unlike traditional containers coated with a thin layer of plastic or other non-recyclable coatings, this food tray is easily recyclable and can be placed in the recycling bin. Its SurfSHIELD water-based coating also helps preserve the integrity and freshness of food, reducing food waste,” the company explained.
The Cascades Fresh packaging tray is the latest in the firm’s innovative range first launched in 2019. The solution’s thermoforming gives it “an optimal design for automated food packaging without compromising on equipment performance,” Cascades said. The company has tested the tray’s rigidity to ensure its compatibility with automatic unstacking and high-speed machinery.
“Its large stacking capacity speeds up filling and optimizes transport and storage. This tray is thus on the leading edge of the food market with its design combining efficiency and respect for resources,” Cascades said.
According to Cascades Specialty Products Group President and Chief Operating Officer Luc Langevin, the company’s newest invention proves that eco-friendliness and performance don’t have to be mutually exclusive.
"We have always believed that eco-responsibility and performance can go hand in hand. This innovative product accomplishes both: It is a high-performance solution for food packaging, which at the same time helps conserve resources. Our goal is to pursue, along with our customers, a large-scale transformation of food packaging for the benefit of the environment," Langevin said.
Cascades confirmed that meat, poultry, fish, fresh fruit, and vegetable food producers are best suited to use the tray.
