The world is spinning at 1,600 kms per hour and, if you work in the meat industry, it might feel like things are moving even faster than that right now. In this article, we look at the rapidly developing trends in meat packaging being driven by increasingly demanding consumers and new technologies.
In common with many industry sectors today, meat producers are under pressure from all sides including rising costs, a shortage of labour, and supply chain vulnerabilities. Now you can add to that list the growing need to make every stage of the process more sustainable.
Towards a more sustainable future
Over 140 countries and 1,200 companies have already committed to reaching net-zero emissions by 20301. Additionally, imminent sustainability regulations are reshaping the packaging landscape. Key among these is the European Union’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). This EU measure is designed to reduce packaging pollution and help build a circular economy. It will apply throughout the EU and will also affect any imported packaging.2
What meat shoppers look for
These regulations are not the only factor driving meat producers to find more sustainable solutions in a hurry. Consumers, concerned by the impact of climate change, have started to consider sustainability in their purchasing decisions. According to a Kantar Profiles and Mintel study, 41% of processed meat consumers in Europe recently expressed an interest in meat and poultry products that have ‘environmentally friendly packaging’.
Emphasizing this point, 82% of shoppers are even willing to pay a premium for ‘sustainable packaging’.3 Consumers are making the effort to change their behavior, and they expect the brands they do business with to do the same. Once a ‘nice to have’, more sustainable packaging has now become a commercial necessity.
This presents forward-thinking brands and retailers with a huge opportunity. Staying ahead of the game will give your business a competitive edge – both today and in the future – provided that any new solutions you use can tick the right boxes.
Shelf life and food safety have always been key concerns for meat producers. More sustainable packaging solutions will only gain traction if performance levels in both these areas remain uncompromised. The most innovative packaging companies are already rising to the challenge of providing solutions for consumers that offer the best of both worlds.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the most innovative options available today…
PVdC-free shrink bags and reduced plastic alternatives
Meat is highly perishable and needs an excellent oxygen barrier to maintain freshness during transportation, at the retail outlet, and at home. Historically in shrink packaging for meat and seafood, PVdC (Polyvinylidene Chloride) has provided the most effective oxygen barrier. Unfortunately, packaging containing PVDC is not recyclable. Therefore, while PVdC is very useful to protect meat, it does not meet current design-for-recycling guidelines, based on existing recycling streams.
This is why Amcor offers an extensive PVdC-free shrink bags range with exceptional optical properties suitable for various applications, from boneless to bone-in meat with hard surfaces and sharp corners. These innovative shrink bags maintain high oxygen and moisture barriers, ensuring that meat stays fresh, for longer. Importantly, this is achieved without compromising puncture resistance. For meat producers who are not yet ready or able to transition away from PVdC shrink bags, reducing the amount of plastic used in such packaging is the way to go. Lightweight shrink bags reduce plastic usage, helping manufacturers and brands to lower their EPR fees and plastic tax. For instance, customers currently using 50µ shrink bags can save up to 19% in EPR and plastic tax4 by switching to 40µ options such as Clear-Tite 40. Furthermore, maintaining precise control over the thickness and weight of shrink bags is essential to achieving and sustaining these savings, as variations in thickness, often seen in other shrink bag solutions, result in higher weights and increased costs. Ultimately, consistent 40µ thickness guarantees reduced plastic taxes, ensuring customers pay only for what is promised.
Paper-based meat packaging
Paper-based and cardboard packaging have a natural appeal for those interested in sustainability and recycling. Providing it is derived from a managed source; paper represents the circular economy in action: starting with trees which are harvested to create paper which is then recycled to be used again.
The stats are compelling. Using a paper-based bottom web to replace a traditional plastic APET/PE tray, can deliver a 52% reduction in non-renewable primary energy and a 56% reduction in carbon footprint5. The Packpyrus paper bottom web contains at least 85% paper fibres6. This means it can be sorted in the paper streams of many European countries and contributes to the production of recycled paper.
Let’s not forget that visual appeal is vital for any kind of product packaging. Particularly in the crowded meat aisle where you only have a short time to catch the eye of the browsing consumer. Here, paper-based solutions stand out with their artisanal look and feel.
Thinnest recycle-ready flowpack for minced meat
Another new packaging solution with strong shelf appeal is a super-thin flowpack that shows off meat products at their best while cutting down on the use of plastic. This can even come with an advanced anti-fogging feature to ensure optimal appeal. Available in fully transparent or printed formats, it offers excellent branding opportunities for products, providing the same clarity and quality as traditional alternatives.
This high barrier protein flowpack is perfect for products like minced meat. The barrier layer is up to 80% thinner than a EVOH (ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer) barrier layer, yet it still provides exceptional protection, ensuring an extended shelf life for meat products with its high-performance seal properties.
It’s better from a sustainability angle too. The leading super-thin flowpack boasts an 89% lower carbon footprint7 and 94% less water consumption8 while also being certified recyclable by Cyclos9.
A super-thin flowpack is also good news for meat producers. By ditching traditional trays, the weight of the packaging is reduced by 85%, enabling further cost10 savings. Lightening the load lowers transportation costs and cuts EPR and plastic tax fees by up to 31%11. This solution can result in up to 37 extra hours of production time per year due to a 32% reduction in change-overs12.
It’s important to acknowledge that the journey to more sustainable packaging is not always smooth. When the flowpack was first consumer-tested for minced meat, some consumers reacted negatively to the appearance. However, the reduction in plastic outweighed this potential drawback, and development work continued. Over the time, consumers have become more familiar with this packaging format.
Interactive labelling
While innovative materials are leading the charge towards more sustainable packaging, other technology breakthroughs are playing their part too. With provenance and food quality becoming increasingly important for younger shoppers, 67% of consumers under 35 now use their smartphones to interact with packaging, and learn more about the products they’re buying13.
With interactive labelling and QR code solutions, a quick scan can reveal a product’s origin and every step involved in its processing. This, in turn, encourages meat producers to share their actions for better animal welfare and protection of the environment.
Looking to the future of meat packaging
So where is all this innovation leading us? High-performance, more sustainable packaging solutions will continue to be the sweet spot for meat producers, retailers and consumers for the foreseeable future.
Minced meat is one of the most popular meat products at the moment because of its attractive retail price compared to premium meat cuts and the possibility to prepare different recipes. The likelihood is that more and more minced meat will be packed in 100% flexible formats, such as flowpack.
Moving to more sustainable meat packaging no longer seems to be a question of “if”, but “when”. While embracing change is often easier said than done, reassurance comes from the fact that those who have opted to make the move are already reaping the benefits.
If you’re interested in more sustainable meat packaging solutions, Amcor can provide the support you need to make your journey less daunting and more rewarding. To find out more about what we can offer your business, visit Meat, Fish and Seafood Packaging – Europe | Amcor
By Rosalia Rosalinova,
Senior Marketing Manager, Amcor
1 Net Zero Coalition | United Nations
2 Source: Kantar Profiles and Mintel Study 2022
3 Source: Trivium Packaging ‘Buying Green Report 2023’
4 Compared to 50µ shrink bag. EPR- Extended Producer Responsibility,
in Germany/UK/Netherlands/Spain/France/Italy, Plastic tax in Spain and UK.
5 https://www.amcor.com/insights/blogs/paper-packaging-packpyrus
6 https://assets.ctfassets.net/f7tuyt85vtoa/4fQMPaoQknDdXcLxXvKEZ2/18267e15e9184bcfc9b6685018df778c/packpyrus_v3.pdf
7 Comparison based on cradle to grave analysis of baseline pack (PP tray 500 um + lid) versus new pack, assuming 100% recycling.
8 Comparison based on cradle to grave analysis of baseline pack (PP tray 500 um + lid ) versus new pack, assuming 100% recycling.
9 The AMPRIMA® PrimeSealTM Flowpack Pro is recycle-ready packaging, accepted in polypropylene recycling streams
as independently certified by cyclos-HTP.
10 Compared to the standard 500μm tray + lid.
11 EPR- Extended Producer Responsibility, AmPrima® PrimeSeal Flowpack Pro EPR fee calculation based on PVOH barrier properties
in Amcor internal tool Recyda: -31% in Netherlands, -28% in Germany, Sweden and United Kingdom., Plastic tax in United Kingdom.
12 Compared to 60μm recycle-ready flowpack.
13 https://insights.amcor.com/rs/577-FGX-127/images/8572_Amcor_HardCheesePackagingInEurope_Report_CR3%20%281%29.pdf