Sharpak Aylesham Winner of Rigid Plastic Pack of the Year award at the UK Packaging Awards 2021

Fresh strawberries require exceptional levels of care and attention to ensure that quality, taste, and texture are maintained from the farm to the consumer’s table. For over 20 years the supply chain has relied upon the bubble pad as a critical part of the packaging in this delicate process.

By investing in cutting-edge production equipment and industry-leading innovation in circular economy design, Sharpak Aylesham, based in Kent, UK, has developed new packaging products that no longer require the glued-in bubble pad, which has long been found in soft fruit packaging. Sharpak's revolutionary SPA Airlite range significantly reduces the amount of plastic required during production, and will save almost 550 tonnes of plastic waste from entering the supply chain without compromising the final product, the humble strawberry.

SPA Airlite provides the level of protection required to maintain shelf life, thus contributing to minimising food waste, while also improving the all-round visibility of the berries in the pack. This unique punnet contains high levels of post-consumer recycled material, exceeding the requirement of the upcoming Plastic Packaging Tax, which is due to be introduced in the UK in April 2022.

It is a UK industry first that has been made possible by collaboration between Sharpak Aylesham and the UK’s leading co-operative of fresh strawberry packers, and has resulted in a successful launch in Summer 2021. The product has been through exhaustive and fully quantified testing through the picking and packing stages, and onwards through the retail supply chain.

Andy Nudds-Hunter Sharpak UK Retail Director says:

"As a responsible packaging supplier, and one of the market leaders in fresh produce packaging, our design and sales teams have been working diligently to deliver this industry first. Reducing plastic, using recycled content, and designing a punnet that can easily be recycled, we have created something that delivers on all levels, and is consistent with our circular economy and sustainability goals."

As members of the UK & EU Plastics Pact and OPRL, and with circular economy and sustainability principles integrated into our design, development, and production methods, Sharpak and Groupe Guillin will continue to develop the right products for our clients. Sharpak will continue to ensure that we deliver packaging solutions across a broad range of materials, incorporating circular design ethics, weight reduction where possible, post-consumer recycled content, the ability to recycle with ease all focused upon protecting your food and minimising food waste.

Key Points of the Sharpak Airlite (SPA) Fresh Berry Punnet Range

• Designed, manufactured and launched successfully in the UK
• Fully recyclable and OPRL Compliant - no Bubble Pad or Glue
• The SPA Airline punnet is available in 60mm, 70mm and 85mm depths.
• Packaging Weight Reduction up to 20% over current packs
• 548t tonnes of plastic weight saving per annum (based on 2020 sales of bubble padded
• equivalent)
• Improved product visibility
• Designed to maximise crate fill efficiency in supply chain logistics

Sharpak Aylesham is part of Groupe Guillin which, in 2022, will be celebrating 50 years of supplying responsible packaging to the food industry. Circular Economy principles and sustainable design & manufacturing processes are at the heart of all we do, ultimately ensuring that we protect your food.