Amcor introduces its most lightweight and more sustainable shrink bag
Amcor has brought to market its new Clear-Tite 40 shrink bag for fresh and processed meat.
The new packaging achieves an impressive 19% reduction in weight when compared to standard 50µ shrink bags, says the leader in responsible packaging. At only 40µ, the Clear-Tite 40 reduces the amount of plastic used per product, while maintaining product freshness.
Shrink bags are popular packaging solutions for meat products due to the high level of protection offered by oxygen and moisture barriers, and the strong seal that protects products during handling and transportation. Ensuring long-lasting freshness even at high humidity levels, shrink bags also help to extend shelf life and reduce food waste.
The Clear-Tite 40 bag achieves an estimated 16% reduction in the packaging’s carbon footprint (based on Amcor’s ASSET Life Cycle Assessment system – comparison based on cradle-to-gate analysis of baseline packaging vs comparison product). With its high shrink performance and excellent visual properties, consumers also benefit from these developments. Allowing shoppers to clearly view the product at the point of purchase, the Clear-Tite 40 solution maintains high visual appeal. All of Amcor’s shrink bags are also printable, meaning brands can catch consumers’ attention with striking, wrinkle-free packaging.
“In this fast-changing market, Amcor remains a reliable packaging partner. Our technical expertise, combined with our sustainability knowledge and operational capabilities, helps customers to achieve their sustainability goals with the best packaging solutions,” said Robert Kleinschmidt, vice president of the meat business unit at Amcor.
As well as the upfront environmental benefits of plastic use, the reduction in weight means manufacturers and brands have the opportunity to reduce their EPR fees.
Customers who currently use 50µ shrink bags could save up to 19% in EPR simply by adopting the new Clear-Tite 40, Amcor noted.
To ensure meat brands are achieving these savings, it is essential to maintain precise control over the thickness and weight of the shrink bags.
Variations in thickness of many other shrink bags on the market result in increased costs, heavier packaging, and therefore higher EPR and plastic tax. Amcor’s precise control ensures that customers receive shrink bags with consistent 40µ thickness.
“The technical requirements for shrink bags make them notoriously difficult to make more sustainable, so the launch of Clear-Tite 40 is a major breakthrough for the industry. This new solution is a huge step forwards; promising a significant reduction in the amount of plastic used per bag, without compromising shelf life,” said Rosalia Rosalinova, senior marketing manager, Amcor.
“Meat manufacturers must carefully select their packaging to maintain a balance between sustainability and product quality. Amcor’s new Clear-Tite 40 makes that simple. It works perfectly even at high humidity levels, enabling superior shelf life while ensuring that meat products look their best on the shelves. Consumers receive a fresh, appealing product, and manufacturers benefit from a reduction in both their EPR fees and their environmental impact,” said Maija Fjällström, senior product development engineer, Amcor.
