MSP MAGAZINE Issue 52

CASE STUDY
Many innovations start
in Switzerland before
becoming mainstream in the
packaging industry worldwide.
The award-winning FlatMap®
packaging system was developed
by tray-sealing and thermoforming
specialist SEALPAC, together
with its Swiss customer Bigler
AG. Other close partners in the
project were Van Genechten
Packaging, the cardboard expert
located in Kempten (Germany),
and Buergofol GmbH, leading film
manufacturer located in Siegburg
(Germany). The resource-saving
FlatMap® solution relies on a
high proportion of renewable raw
materials, but also offers plenty
of space for communication.
Its striking and innovative look
guarantees maximum attention of
food products at retail.
SECURELY AND
ATTRACTIVELY PACKAGED
UNDER MAP
The new FlatMap® packaging
system puts sliced meat, dairy and
seafood products in the spotlights.
These products are placed on a
flat cardboard carrier made from
bleached or unbleached fibre.
The carrier is coated with a thin
protective layer, which provides
stability, as well as a reliable
barrier against fat, moisture and
oxygen. The products are securely
sealed under modified atmosphere
by means of a thin lidding film,
hence prolonging their shelf life.
Both the protective layer and
lidding film are polyolefin-based,
making them fully recyclable.
Consumer-friendly opening of the
pack is made possible by an easyto-grip
peel tab.
Due to the perfectly flat design
of the pack, an entirely new level
of reclosability can be achieved.
As such, FlatMap® guarantees
optimal freshness until the very
last slice and enables firstclass
storage in the consumer’s
refrigerator, without the need for
repacking. The system is available
on all of SEALPAC’s Amax-series
traysealers with servo drive and
FlatMap® preparation. This
ensures a reliable sealing process
under modified atmosphere.
RESOURCE-SAVING
FlatMap® provides exceptional
opportunities with regard to
branding and product information.
The cardboard carrier can be
printed in high quality on both
sides, therefore offering plenty of
space for product explanations and
consumer communication. Owing
to its striking look, the packaging
will always be a true eye-catcher
on the retail shelves, regardless
of whether its presentation is
vertical or horizontal. In addition,
the system offers even more
convenience to the consumer:
supported by an attractive design,
sliced meat, cheese or seafood
products are ready to serve from
their packaging.
Another major benefit of the
FlatMap® system is the resourcesaving
use of materials. Compared
to common modified atmosphere
packaging, up to 75% of plastic
can be saved. At the same time,
recycling is improved. After
finishing the product, the thin
layer is easily removed from the
cardboard carrier by means of
a peel tab, to allow for disposal
as plastic waste together with
the lidding film. Obviously, the
cardboard carrier is thrown away
separately as paper waste.
EQUAL CONVENIENCE –
EVEN WITH RENEWABLE
RAW MATERIALS
The Swiss Packaging Institute
(SVI) honours outstanding
achievements in the packaging
industry with its Swiss
Packaging Award annually. The
jury’s explanation for awarding
FlatMap® in the “Convenience”
category states: “In more and
more packaging, the proportion
of non-renewable raw materials
is being reduced and replaced
by renewable raw materials. The
challenge here is to maintain
the original functionality. In
the opinion of the jury, the new
FlatMap® system solves this
challenge convincingly. The
hybrid pack made of cardboard
and plastic offers a strong
performance in terms of opening
and reclosing compared to pure
plastic solutions. In addition,
the separate disposal of the
two components is solved in an
exemplary manner.”•
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www.sealpacinternational.com
24 | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2021 | MSP Magazine