Ready meals, airline meals and other food packaging that is heated in the oven or microwave, needs to withstand some very hot conditions! So you may be surprised to learn that dual ovenable cardboard food packaging – also known as ovenable paperboard – exists. Surely cardboard would get scorched or even ignite at the temperatures most food is cooked or reheated at?
Not true! Dual ovenable packaging made from cardboard or paperboard are available and can be used at 220 degrees in an oven and 90 degrees in a microwave. Not only that, they offer key benefits to brands and their customers.
Plastic free ovenable packaging
Perhaps the hottest topic in food packaging today is plastic waste. We all want to do our bit for the environment and provide our customers with food packaging solution that meet consumer demand and government targets to reduce plastic waste. Ovenable paperboard trays do exactly that, removing the need to use plastic trays in hot food packaging.
This innovative product is water, grease and oil resilient, fit for purpose and meets consumer demand for fully recyclable, biodegradable and compostable food packaging. Its also suitable for direct contact with food (with none of the risks associated with plastic packaging and chemical leaching) so additional barriers are not needed. Fully mould-able, glue-able and heat seal-able it does everything a plastic tray does and more.
Are ovenable packaging products really plastic free?
Not all recyclable packaging products are what they seem. There are ovenable cardboard packaging products on the market that claim to be fully recyclable but DO contain plastic.
The UK government allows cardboard and paperboard packaging with less than 5% to still carry a recyclable symbol. Often, to get around this ruling, the thickness of the cardboard used in the packaging in increased so that the plastic content falls below 5%.
This might surprise consumers and food manufacturers who are unaware of the plastic content and assume that packaging like this can be disposed of in the household recycling. Unfortunately that is not the case. It cannot be recycled in a normal paper and cardboard recycling facility and instead generally gets diverted to landfill.
New legislation is likely to change how products containing plastic are labelled and close the <5% loophole in the near future. The government has recently closed its consultation on reforming the UK packaging producer responsibility system, and a hike in costs for producers of plastic packaging waste is also on the cards as a result of this consultation.
To future proof your ovenable food packaging, and avoid plastic waste tariffs, we think it’s time to explore other Alternatives that are fully recyclable and plastic free.
Manufacturers can dispose of ovenable paperboard waste in normal recycling
However much we might support legislation to protect our environment, its generally challenging for manufacturers. But there could be a silver lining …
As well as future proofing food packaging supply chains against changes to legislation, switching to a plastic free alternative has potential to increase revenues from recyclable waste.
Recycling waste cardboard with a plastic coating doesn’t offer the same returns as standard cardboard recycling. The plastic has to be separated and recycled in different facilities and therefore the price paid for this type of waste is lover than for normal recycling.
By using more plastic free paperboard packaging products, manufacturers could find that they’re able to increase revenues from their recyclable waste. As well as making a positive move towards reducing plastic waste from production line.
Consumer benefits of plastic free ovenable packaging
Without a doubt pressure from consumers is increasing demand for products like ovenable paperboard. Yet, consumers also want a product that is fit for purpose and, if possible, does an even better job than traditional food trays and hot food packaging.
Dual ovenable paperboard trays are not only an eco-friendly packaging solution. They also offer advantages over plastic and foil trays that improve the end user’s experience. Ovenable paperboard retains its rigidity at high temperatures much better than plastic which softens and distorts and, unlike plastic and foil products, can be handled directly from the oven or microwave.
As well as these benefits, cardboard food packaging is attractive to consumers. It looks great on the supermarket shelf and in a domestic fridge, freezer or store cupboard, and consumers often associate it with a premium product. Many brands are using cardboard or paperboard based ovenable packaging to differentiate from competitor products that use plastic or foil trays, even for budget ranges.
Finally price. Yes, plastic free ovenable packaging is marginally more expensive than other comparable ovenable food packaging but not to the extent that it could adversely affect pricing or profit margins. While many ethical consumers are prepared to pay a premium price for recyclable, biodegradable and compostable products. our duel ovenable paperboard trays will not price anyone out of the market. In fact they’re competitively prices enough to make eco-friendly solutions accessible to more consumers.
Is ovenable paperboard food packaging suitable for you?
We think its a great solution for many different uses. Here are just a few examples of how our clients are using plastic free ovenable packaging:
- Airline Meals
- Meal Kits
- Microwave meals
- In store bakery products
- Street food/takeaways
- School and hospital meals
- Supermarket ready meals
What will you use it for?
As experts in all things to do with a cardboard food packaging we can advise you on the most suitable ovenable packaging materials for your products. If you’re not sure whether plastic free packaging is suitable for your product, get in touch and we’ll be happy to explore your options with you.
Any questions? give us a call on 01622 882280
You can also request samples here, or download our food packaging brochure below.