SABERT Corporation Europe has provided details of a unique ready meals packaging solution the firm delivered for Irish school meals provider, Carambola.
Carambola was seeking the most environmentally-friendly packaging possible for its school meals programme, with a requirement that the solution be 100% domestically compostable. The tray also needed to meet children’s needs and capture their interest.
“It needed to be cool to the touch and the right size for the particular portion sizes required for children’s meals,” said Carambola general manager Jenny Eustace. “It also needed to be something that was aesthetically pleasing for children.”
Sabert sales manager Matt Nash added that the tray had to be multi-functional.
“They needed a tray that was sealable, ovenable, freezable and that could travel as well,” he explained. “We had to get over a lot of hurdles to get to where we are today. We looked at every single material that is available to Sabert and Pulp Ultra just ticked all the boxes for the customer.”
Pulp Ultra is a new formula exclusive to Sabert. It features ‘no-intentionally-added-PFAS’ and is made from over 95% bagasse fibres and treated with a barrier spray coating of <5%.
The solution is described as delivering ‘outstanding’ oil and grease resistance permeation in direct contact hot food applications. It is freezer-safe and suitable for use in microwaves, conventional ovens and high-speed ovens.
“Pulp Ultra has been a wonderful packaging solution for us,” added Jenny Eustace. “One of the best things about working with Sabert was that they really listened to our requirements. They spent a huge amount of time with us learning our business, learning both our challenges and our wins, and finding us the best possible solution to fit our needs.”
