AR Packaging aims to meet the increasing need for replacement of plastic-based cutlery and has teamed up with the food service distributor Bionatic to launch a fibre-based cutlery range.Since the European Single-Use Plastics Directive (SUP) was introduced, both consumers and member states have started to reconsider many plastic packaging items on the market. By 2021, plastic cutlery will be banned in the EU. While targeting some of the issues related to unrecyclable items and potential littering, the demand for eating on-the-go will remain. There is therefore a great need for a new generation of food service packaging to fill this gap.
The leading packaging producer ÅR Packaging Group AB has teamed up with Bionatic GmbH & Co. KG, a food service packaging distributor, to launch a range of fibre-based cutlery with strong environmental benefits. With the companies’ combined and extensive understanding of fibre products and market demand, they plan to offer a series spoons, knives and forks in full commercial scale by the end of 2020.
With a long background and comprehensive expertise in carton conversion, AR Packaging is working intensely to bring next generation sustainable food service items to the market. Together with Bionatic, an experienced distributor of food packaging and disposable tableware made from renewable or recycled raw materials, the company has developed a set of cutlery which can compete with plastics in terms of strength, weight and barrier properties. The new cutlery range is designed to be repulpable, compostable, biodegradable, FSC certified, sourced from European wood and without any plastic content. Thus, it is fully designed for recyclability.
“With Bionatic we have a dynamic and entrepreneurial distributor of biobased packaging items for Quick Service Restaurants (QSR) on our side. They help to speed up processes and ensure product acceptance through direct consumer engagement,” says Ralf Mack, Innovation Director at AR Packaging.
“Being one of the leading wholesalers of sustainable food service packaging we believe it is better to process renewable raw materials than to use finite resources. We are therefore delighted to cooperate with AR Packaging and be able to offer fibre-based solutions as the next generation of food service utensils,“ says Michael Brink at Bionatic.
AR Packaging is a strong group of experts in barrier packaging, material converting, heat pressing and more. Based on its dedication to create fit-for-purpose and innovative solutions, the development team has created a set of cutlery. The range includes folded, pressed and moulded fibre solutions to suit the varying needs on the market. Typical applications will be mixed salads, different types of fast food and ice cream.
The new fibre-based cutlery is the first in a range of innovative food service items to enter the market. Next projects in the pipeline include fibre bowls, trays and containers.
ContactsRalf Mack
Innovation Director at AR Packaging
E-Mail:
ralf.mack@ar-packaging.comIngrid Lidbäck
Group Marketing Manager, AR Packaging
E-Mail:
Michael Brink
Managing Director at Bionatic
E-Mail:
mb@bionatic.deAbout AR PackagingAR Packaging is one of Europe’s leading companies in the packaging sector with net sales of approximately EUR 600 million, 3,300 employees and 19 factories in eleven countries. AR Packaging is a group of the specialised companies A&R Carton, Flextrus, CC Pack, SP Containers and AR Packaging Digital. The head office is located in Lund, Sweden. The Group creates added value to customers through a broad product offering and deep knowledge of carton based and flexible packaging. AR Packaging has an objective to grow both organically and by way of acquisitions.
About BionaticSince 2010, Bionatic has been supplying caterers, retailers and end consumers with food packaging and disposable tableware made from renewable or recycled raw materials. Today Bionatic employs more than 40 people in Bremen, Germany. In addition, the production of palmware items at the partner company MEC in India has been established and expanded. Business customers will find more than 600 items on the online-shop. The range for private customers has been expanded to include home appliances via the amazon and ebay platforms as well as through the in-house online shop.
Source:
AR Packaging, press release, 2019-10-24.