New option to replace plastic trays with fibre based solution

DS Smith has worked with Priméale to create a sustainable and plastic free punnet for the brand’s Priméale vegetable kit range.

The new punnets for fresh fruit and vegetables are designed to protect the produce during transportation and on the supermarket shelf, and as a fully recyclable design the solution is comprised of a fibre based corrugated cardboard tray and a simple cellulose hydrate lid.

The cellulose hydrate lid is transparent to ensure easy product visibility during display for consumers and the punnets are equipped with a moisture barrier within the corrugated cardboard tray to support direct wet food contact. They are also designed to be tightly and securely sealed while keeping food content moist and at the correct temperatures for the conservation and protection of the fresh food products. 

In addition, the punnets can be easily assembled into small or large sized components and made bespoke for a variety of customer requirements, while the corrugated cardboard exterior allows for a variety of graphic design and brand promotion options to ensure effective visibility at point of sale.

According to data from the Kantar Research Bureau, a multi-country market research and survey consultancy, 45% of consumers in France have a strict budget for their weekly shopping and one in four of these shoppers are increasingly in support of plastic reduction in packaging for fresh food products.

Benjamin Chedal, sales, marketing and innovation director, DS Smith, said:

‘This breakthrough is part of DS Smith's overall strategy to support its customers in their transition to sustainable and circular packaging solutions while maintaining the essential functionalities of product protection and presentation for these fresh food products.’

Christophe Charvieux, sales, and marketing director, Priméale (France), said: 

‘We are delighted to launch our new vegetable kit range. This product combines practicality and quality, while being packaged in a fully recyclable alternative to existing plastic trays. This new tray, which stands out for its strength, resistance, and transparency, is the result of the joint efforts of our Priméale teams and our supplier, DS Smith. We are convinced that this innovation will meet our consumers' expectations in terms of functionality and recyclability.’