Iceland, a UK frozen food retailer, has adopted Ravenwood’s linerless technology for trialling plastic-free packaging across its range of Conference pears.
The trial is part of a move away from packaging fruit in plastic, with Iceland aiming to eliminate plastic from its own brand foods by 2023. Iceland has 900 stores throughout the UK, and a further 40 owned or franchised stores across Europe.
For the pears trial, Iceland has opted for a Fruit Lid linerless label and food grade cardboard tray. The label is a totally new linerless concept designed by Ravenwood.
With the packaging combined, the end result is 100 per cent plastic-free and completely recyclable. Previously, Iceland’s pears were hand filled into plastic poly bags and plastic punnets.
Iceland head of packaging Stuart Lendrum said: “This is an exciting and innovative new pack format that delivers more plastic free packaging for our customers. The hard work and commitment of everyone involved has delivered this step forward in moving away from plastic with solutions that work for shoppers and the supply chain.”
Ravenwood supplied a Nobac 5000L linerless applicator for applying the Fruit Lid labels to the packs.
ProPrint Group, a Ravenwood UK approved linerless printer, produces the labels.
Ravenwood founder Paul Beamish said: “We have worked very hard, alongside ProPrint Group, in getting the design and specification spot on for Iceland’s pear fruit application. Not only has Iceland adopted our linerless technology but in meeting their needs and requirements, we have launched a completely new type of label. We look forward to working with Keelings and Iceland again in the future.”
