RETAILER Iceland is replacing its previous packaging with Mondi’s functional barrier paper across a number of its ranges.
The first newly packaged product to hit the shelves was the company’s frozen chicken dippers, which Mondi said reduces the amount of plastic used per year by 80%.
The functional barrier paper is made from renewable resources with Mondi managing the paper production and coating in-house.
Stuart Lendrum, head of packaging, quality and food safety at Iceland, said, “We’ve been bold in our aims to remove plastic: we were the first UK retailer to publish our plastic footprint along with our pledge to ultimately become plastic free. To deliver on this ‘Doing it Right’ promise, we knew we would need the expertise of global packaging suppliers like Mondi. Their collaborative EcoSolutions approach meant that our teams worked together to consider all elements of the product manufacturing and delivery journey. We now have a sustainable solution that is efficient to use, protects the products and meets the expectations of our customers.”
Thanks to the high stiffness of the paper, Mondi explained that the packaging is ‘puncture resistant’ and ensures an ‘efficient filling process that runs seamlessly on existing machinery’.
Falk Paulsen, sales & business development director extrusion solutions, Mondi, added, “Iceland has set out ambitious sustainability targets and has already made great strides in reducing plastic packaging. Some products need more specialised solutions to ensure consumers get safe, high-quality food. Mondi’s functional barrier paper uses a wafer-thin coating that provides all the necessary barriers to keep food fresh and can still be recycled. It is a pleasure to be working with Iceland on their range of frozen food products.”
