SanLucar has launched a sustainable berry punnet as part of its ongoing quest to find more environmentally friendly packaging solutions.
Nature Punnet consists of 94 per cent paper, which is FSC-certified and originates from sustainable sources.
It is also resistant to humidity – a crucial characteristic for products such as berries, which are available in the refrigerated areas of the supermarkets.
The company said the move was a significant step forward in its goal of reducing the use of plastic in packaging while guaranteeing optimal product preservation in terms of quality and freshness.
The 125g packaging carries a perforated film which enables ventilation of the fruit. The film can be recycled as it can be easily separated from the paper, thereby not only extending the storage life of sensitive fruits, such as raspberries or blueberries, but also helping to reduce food waste.
In addition, by using paper, the berry punnet can be decorated with SanLucar’s distinctive branding.
'It has been a challenge to work with such a complex product like berries and find the right formula to offer both, our customers and the final consumer, a packaging which is committed to nature, but also to the high quality expected from a brand like ours,' said packaging manager Maria Plasencia.
'The test phase, which we have carried out in Germany and Austria, will end in a few days. However, the results already show that the Nature Punnet is a milestone in the packaging of fresh fruit.'
SanLucar has a long-term commitment to finding sustainable packaging. It employs a committee of experts exclusively dedicated to innovation and development of eco-friendly packaging.
Other offerings include the Natur bag for grapes and stonefruit, made out of recyclable paper, and its cardboard tray for tomatoes. These two packaging solutions alone have enabled the company to save up to 600 tonnes of plastic in the last five years.
