Vacuum Skin Pack Solution

 

Name of Project

Vacuum Skin Pack solutions for Booths Fresh Foods – in-house protein packer for Booths supermarkets.

Aim of Project

To develop and provide an alternative solution to MAP for meat products.

Materials Used

rPET
Film

Brief Description

Booths supermarkets were looking for an alternative to MAP packaging for some of their premium meat products.  The on-shelf appeal of VSP, for example the minimal appearance of meat juices within the pack, was attractive to supermarket management. They consulted LINPAC Packaging to develop a quality solution which combined the extended shelf life benefits of vacuum skin film technologies with the presentation and protection benefits of rigid preformed trays.

LINPAC worked in partnership with machine manufacturer, Mondini, and film manufacturer, Bemis to develop a complete pack solution for Booths. All three manufacturers joined in site visits to Booths supermarkets, produced test designs and conducted retailer workshops and trials to ensure the final product was environmentally beneficial, well-presented and strong enough to endure the rigors of skin packing. Meanwhile, Mondini refined and retro-fitted Booths’ machine with skin pack tooling to ensure a smooth production process. This refined retro-fit has now become the standard on all subsequent tools.

The continual innovation programme at LINPAC Packaging has enabled the company to develop a lightweight shallow rigid tray which is a competitive alternative to the standard sheet skin packs traditionally used in VSP. LINPAC has the broadest rigid VSP tray range on the market today; available in mono PET, PET/PE, Barrier PP and Barrier EPS, the trays are fully recyclable and suitable for three application styles – normal VSP (below the flange protrusion), protruding VSP (slightly above the flange protrusion) and super-protruding VSP (high protrusion above the flange).

The preformed trays by LINPAC Packaging give a higher quality look and feel to packs, enhancing consumer appeal, shelf space efficiency and maximizing product protection during transit and in store.

Within the first three months of the LINPAC VSP trays being available in store, sales of some premium meat lines at Booths had increased by 80% and food waste was reduced significantly due to the extended shelf life benefits provided by VSP.

Booths report that production planning has become more efficient and easier resulting in more products on the shelves and less ‘out of stock’ labels.

Companies Involved

LINPAC Packaging
Booths Fresh Foods – in-house protein packer for Booths supermarkets
Mondini
Bemis