COVERIS and TIPA® Compostable Packaging have entered an exclusive agreement to manufacture and market compostable labels for fresh produce in the UK.
The move has been made in response to increasing demand and tightening regulatory requirements for compostability of produce stickers.
This partnership combines TIPA’s recently announced home compostable labels, which are said to demonstrate ‘high elasticity and excellent resistance to moisture’, with Coveris’ high scale production capabilities and ‘extensive market knowledge’, validating the applicability of the stickers for a range of fruits and vegetables.
Following testing of available market options, Coveris revealed it selected TIPA’s home-compostable label material for its ‘superior’ performance and applicability across a wide range of fruits and vegetables. TIPA’s new film offers resistance to moisture while remaining flexible, allowing the stickers to securely adhere to produce that often has wet or varied surfaces.
This enables consistent application across items such as apples, citrus fruits, kiwis, and avocados, without compromising compostability.
“We are proud to partner with TIPA to introduce a new compostable labelling solution for the fresh produce sector,” said Will Mercer, Coveris’ paper business unit R&D director. “By combining TIPA’s expertise in compostable materials with Coveris’ advanced print technology and understanding of the produce supply chain, we have developed a high-performance label that meets environmental, operational and legislative needs. Aligned with our No Waste strategy, we are focused on developing sustainable packaging and reducing waste in all its forms.”
Coveris added that the collaboration delivers a ‘scalable, sustainable’ solution for retailers, packers, and growers seeking to meet both consumer demand and regulatory requirements.
“This partnership is about more than labels — it’s about eliminating unnecessary plastic from the food system,” added Gary Tee, VP global converting at TIPA. “Our certified home-compostable label material delivers on performance and, equally as important, gives brands a sustainable option. Partnering with Coveris allows us to combine expertise and provide a solution that removes conventional plastic labels from the organic waste stream and supports upcoming regulations.”
