Visy’s fibre-based thermal packaging solution, Visycell, has been successfully trialled by NSW seafood supplier Soueast as an alternative to expanded polystyrene boxes for cold-chain transport.
Visycell is an Australian-made, fibre-based thermal insulation and shock protectant designed to replace expanded polystyrene packaging and be recycled through kerbside recycling systems. The product is currently being trialled across several cold-chain applications including meat delivery, pharmaceuticals and meal-kit services.
In the latest trial, Soueast used Visycell boxes to transport wild, line caught fish from the New South Wales South Coast to a restaurant in Sydney, with a transit time of around 15 hours from catch to delivery.
According to the company, performance results were strong. Both Soueast and the receiving restaurant team reported that the fish maintained excellent temperature control, arrived in strong presentation condition, and that the packaging handled the transport process without issue.
Craig Lukey, owner of Soueast, said the trial delivered both product protection and operational benefits.
“We were genuinely impressed with how well the fish travelled. Temperature held well, presentation on arrival was excellent, and the boxes handled transport without any issues,” Lukey said.
“From an operational perspective, Visycell has been a major advantage. It’s much easier to handle, more efficient to store, and simpler for customers to responsibly dispose of through their recycling bin.”
Unlike traditional EPS boxes, Visycell is supplied in flatpack format, which Soueast said improved storage and handling efficiency within its operations.
Expanded polystyrene remains widely used in temperature-sensitive supply chains, however recovery rates remain low. According to the Australian Packaging Consumption and Recovery Data 2022–23 report published by APCO, only 26 per cent of post-consumer EPS is recovered.
Visy says Visycell is designed to address both performance and sustainability considerations, offering cold-chain industries an alternative material that aligns with growing expectations around recyclability and reduced single-use plastics.
Rohan Smith, GM innovation and new product development at Visy, said the company is focused on providing practical alternatives to hard-to-recycle materials.
“We’re committed to developing packaging that helps Australia reduce its environmental impact. Visycell offers cold chain industries a viable alternative to expanded polystyrene and supports a shift toward more sustainable packaging,” Smith said.
Soueast plans to continue transitioning to Visycell over the coming weeks and will conduct additional tests with interstate clients to assess performance across a broader range of freight scenarios.
Visycell is part of Visy’s broader push into fibre-based protective packaging solutions aimed at reducing reliance on difficult-to-recover materials in the cold chain.
