Coop selected the paperboard material Invercote Bio, a virgin-fibre-based board coated with bioplastic for its own-brand frozen berries, investing in this higher-priced base material for environmental reasons.
The result is better for the environment but costs more due to the more advanced properties of the bioplastic compared with those of traditional PE coatings.
Jonas Adler, commercial manager at Invercote Bio, said the bioplastic was free from starch made from genetically modified maize.
“The challenge for us was to find a bioplastic material that could be extruded with good results. These issues of extrusion and adhesives usage underline the fact that this is a young material but it is continually being improved. At the same time, nowadays more and more brand owners are prepared to pay a little more for the superior environmental properties.”