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Food processing industry supplier GEA has unveiled a new tray for sustainable food packaging.

FoodTray is an ecological carton/film composite solution designed to be assembled in thermoforming machines, which is billed as easily openable by the consumer in a single motion.

According to Hans-Günter Donges from GEA, FoodTray is a step towards meeting Germany’s packaging recycling quota of 63 per cent by 2022.

“We’ve reduced film content by up to 70 percent. At FoodTray, fossil-based raw materials are replaced with fibres from renewable raw materials; the recycled content is more than 80 percent. At the same time, we make no compromises in terms of stability.

“Likewise, the cardboard and film can be easily separated and recycled by the consumer,” he said.

The system comprises a corrugated cardboard carton with film on the inside. The film is thermoformed and sealed directly to the carton, after which customer-specific packaging processes are able to take place.

“The investment costs are low and the result is ecologically sustainable packaging,” said Donges.

Donges adds that brand information can be printed over the entire surface, and the solution gives companies the opportunity to bolster their sustainability credentials.

“At our production site in Wallau, Germany, we have put a sample system into operation where diverse customer-specific solutions can be tested,” he said.

Food & Drink Business

As the Australian functional beverage market continues to grow, emerging companies are still finding places to slot in. Alcohol recovery drink, Dodge, hit stores in mid-2022, and has taken off across the Asia-Pacific region with its science-backed formula and striking branding. Food & Drink Business spoke with co-founder, Braeden Leahy, about the product and plans for the future.

The former deputy chief of staff to the federal communications minister, Amanda Watson, has been appointed CEO of the Brewers Association of Australia (BAA).  Watson starts in the role on 14 July and replaces John Preston, who had been in the role for five years.

The Victorian government has invested $160,000 to support the sustainability and profitability of the state’s wine industry, matched by $240,000 from Wine Australia. The funds will help Wine Victoria to provide the wine industry with the knowledge, tools and resources needed to improve practices and outcomes.