RKW introduces FPO packaging film in North America
The company said its eco-friendly and aluminum-free FPO mono-material film, which can be used for wrapping butter and other dairy products, provides effective barriers for product protection, has good printability and a paper-like look and feel.
RKW said FPOpackaging protects sensitive products from light, oxygen and water vapor. Also, due to its high mineral filler content, less polyolefin is used compared to traditional packaging option.
It also has a weldable inner layer so brands can use the materialfor pouches, bags or form-fill-and-seal solutions (FFS).
FPO benefits
Stephen Ellis, vice president, operations industrial at RKW Group, said, “Brands are looking for eco-friendly alternatives to package dairy products and similar foods like margarine with FPO.
“We designed FPO to be resistant to water, fats and light. It has a good dead fold, and compared to existing alternatives, its puncture and tear resistance are very high. These capabilities make it the solution of choice for brands that want their product to reach consumers in pristine condition.”
Communicate quality at POS
The company said high-quality dairy products are trending. According to data from the USDA, annual butter consumption per capita in the US has increased by one pound during the last decade and reached 5.7 pounds in 2016.
Ellis said, “The premium segment is growing even more quickly than the rest of the market. In addition to its protective properties, FPOhas an excellent printability and a paper-like feel. Both communicate a brand’s premium claim to consumers and allows the product to stand out at the POS.”
RKW said dairy producers can switch to FPOwithout replacing their packaging machines, all substances in the formulation comply with the FDA Code of Federal Regulation, and FPO is manufactured with raw materials that comply with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
The RKW Group
Founded in 1957, The RKW Group, headquartered in Frankenthal, Germany, generated total sales of $1.022bn in 2017. Its 3,000 employees process 417,000 tons of plastic materials at 20 locations around the world.
