A new form of packaging is gaining popularity in Japan, and recently showcased at the 19th Seafood Show Osaka.
The FlatSkin system, developed by Oldenburg, Germany-based SealPac GmbH and distributed in Japan by NASCO Corporation, is a form of packaging incorporating thick paper and plastic. The packaging enables double-sided printing for strong branding, and a hole can be punched in the packaging to allow for product to be hung.
“It’s for wall display in convenience stores and supermarkets,” NASCO sales expert Shoji Ishi said. “It’s already popular overseas, but it is only in Japan recently. We started selling the machines from the last fiscal year, and we expect to start seeing the packages in retail shops from this year.”
Besides visual appeal, the packaging also has an environmental appeal. Because one side of the package is thick paper, plastic use can be reduced by up to 70 percent. The paper and plastic are easily separated after the product is taken out, so that they can be sorted for disposal or recycling.
The system uses virgin pulp suitable for food for the thick paper portion. The food-contact surface is a coated with a protective layer of polymer that provides stability to the cardboard and forms a barrier against grease, moisture, and oxygen, so there is no concern about the paper affecting the freshness of the food. The FlatSkin packaging system, the company said, extends product life because it forms a close vacuum around the product, though it still requires refrigeration.
It can be used to vacuum package a wide range of products such as fresh meat, processed meat, dairy products, and fish and shellfish.
A similar product, called FlatMap adds modified atmosphere to the concept.
NASCO said it will exhibit its packaging machines at the 24th Japan International Seafood and Technology Expo, scheduled to be held 24 to 26 August at Tokyo Big Sight, as part of a Freshness Keeping and Distributing Technology Expo co-event.
Photo courtesy of NASCO
