Perfection Fresh has turned to Detpak to develop a sustainable, paper-based packaging solution that can be kerbside recycled, reduce plastic usage, and elevate the brand’s premium positioning.
Perfection Fresh previously used single-use soft plastic bags for its grape packaging, which were not suitable for kerbside recycling. The company says its packaging also “lacked the premium look and feel that the brand aspired to”.
Perfection Fresh approached Detpak with a clear brief, which included:
- A recyclable paper bag that matched the volume capacity of the existing plastic packaging.
- Effective cooling and shelf-life preservation to prevent food waste.
- Enhanced product visibility to maintain consumer appeal during the transition from plastic to paper.
- Contribute to growth in share of category and reposition as the premium option for grapes.
- Be suitable for the rigours of the complex fruit and vegetable produce supply chain.
Through a collaborative effort between the two companies, the grape bag was redesigned with sustainability in mind, and Detpak's R&D team ensured the new packaging-maintained functionality comparable to its plastic counterpart.
Detpak’s innovation lab, LaunchPad, crafted a solution meeting key criteria such as breathability, packaging strength, moisture resistance, and product visibility, while maintaining a premium appeal.
Detpak's innovation team leveraged RecycleMe technology, integrating ventilation holes for breathability and maintaining packaging strength, thus delivering a significant sustainable change for the industry.
The company says the solution was cost-effective and aligned with its own environmental goals.
According to Detpak, the initial launch with Perfection Fresh’s Autumn Crisp brand, which aimed at offering quality, sustainable, and premium grapes, was a success. Coles facilitated the launch into its stores, supporting the transition to sustainable packaging.
The solution was subsequently scaled up with Perfection Fresh and Costa Group joining the initiative.
The connection of the marketing, sales and operations teams of Perfection Fresh with the design, production, sustainability and R&D teams of Detpak is said to have been the reason for this project’s in-market success.
In collaboration with Perfection Fresh Australia, Detpak introduced the RecycleMe SOS Grape Bag, a premium paper packaging solution for fresh in-season grapes, aiming to differentiate premium grapes and reduce plastic usage.
The new kerbside recyclable paper packaging is said to successfully meet all the shelf-life, durability, and recyclability needs of Australian grape vendors Perfection Fresh and Costa Group, consumers, and Coles supermarkets.
The partnership between Detpak and Perfection Fresh Australia has resulted in the delivery of a kerbside recyclable premium paper grape bag, which the company says uses 71 per cent less plastic compared to the previous packaging.
