Innovation focuses on formats and presentation as sustainability takes a back seat
"If I went back two to three years, people would be paying a premium for environmental solutions," says Kevin Curran, md of Tri-Star Packaging. "It would be fair to say now that there's no premium to be had; people are saving money."
Nevertheless, the bakery and confectionery trade continues to demand packaging innovations, but the focus has been more on new formats and presentation. A slew of launches have hit the market in recent months, including Tri-Star's new Deli Topper: a two-compartment pot that could include a dipping sauce in the top, for a dessert or confectionery application.
Tri-Star has also introduced rustic square-cut bloomer sandwich packs, reflecting the shift away from triangle wedges. The new Artisan range, manufactured by Anson, can be bagged or flow-wrapped. Currently in Sainsbury and being looked at by one "major bakery retail chain", these are "brand new and requested from the bakery trade", says Curran.
Similarly, Planglow launched a 72h Ecoco Bloomer Pack in December. "This is to accommodate the growing speciality breads market, the current trend for square-cut sandwiches and the industry need for options that support longer lasting products," explains marketing director Rachael Sawtell. "So, like all of our heat-seal packaging products, the new Bloomer packs safeguard the freshness of its contents for up to three days."
Meanwhile, a raft of launches from the continent are arriving on these shores. They include the DeLight Tray, manufactured by StoraEnso in Finland, which is suitable for pastry and dessert products. Gas flushable, the tray can be used in the oven, microwave and frozen, while custom sizes and printing allow for branding.
"We'll be going after the quiche market one of the major benefits is that you can put a lidding film on the tray and do away with the box, saving packaging," says Julian Ellison, sales director for importer Greenearth Food Packaging, which supplies the likes of Bakkavör, Samworth Brothers and Premier Foods.
Also brand new through Greenearth are paper trays with compartments, made by Pillopak in the Netherlands. Manufactured from ovenable microflute board, they offer a biodegradable alternative to plastic biscuits, chocolates, tarts and cake compartment trays.
Meanwhile, the Cubb-X Display Pack from ANL Plastics in Belgium is a versatile new transparent polyethylene terephthalate (PET) container that's ideal for presenting bakery and dessert products and comes in 15 standard sizes the advantage being its rigidity for stacking and clarity for viewing product. Lastly, Ecopack in Italy has come up with Plumpy ovenable paper baking moulds. The mould is made from recyclable and compostable greaseproof ovenable paper that is suitable for sweet and savoury bakery products, in ambient, chilled and frozen applications.
Linpac Packaging has also launched a range of recyclable PET trays to prevent damage to delicate bakery items, such as iced buns and doughnuts, during transit. "In Europe, we also designed and manufactured two bespoke sizes and styles of SmartBox for Alcampo supermarkets," adds European bakery marketing manager Megan Ashcroft. "The cartonboard has been treated so that it is suitable for both chiller cabinets and the freezer, and special airflow grooves between the base and the PET lid enable air to circulate freely, which prevents condensation in the pack."
