Huhtamaki launches recyclable single-coated dairy cup

Huhtamaki has launched a recyclable single-coated paper cup designed for yoghurt and other dairy products, which it says contains less than 10% plastic and is fully recyclable in Europe.

The company says the packaging solution meets the high food safety requirements for yoghurt and offers a lower polymer content than conventional alternatives. It adds that ProDairy is produced in Europe using paperboard made from renewable wood fibres sourced from sustainably managed forests.

According to Huhtamaki, one of the significant challenges in reducing polymer content in dairy packaging is ensuring a perfect seal and lid fit to a flat rim. The company has sought to address this by developing a rim design and rim forming process that ensures an "excellent top rim seal".

ProDairy also features a proprietary barrier coating technology developed by Huhtamaki, which the company says has been rigorously and thoroughly tested.

"Our team has identified a barrier coating to replace the outer polyethylene layer that maintains a paper-like feel with a matte finish and provides high moisture resistance for products stored under refrigerated conditions," said Fredrik Davidsson, President of Huhtamaki Fiber Food Services Europe-Asia-Oceania. "This was important to manufacturers, retailers and consumers, ensuring our unique product offered the functional performance of a traditional paper cup with reduced plastic content while also being fully recyclable," Huhtamaki said, adding that the new product is ready to be deployed with customers. In similar news, Berry Global and Stora Enso have designed a custom version of the Berry CombiLight container for Finnish brand Valio's PROfeel protein pudding. To help the company meet its commitment to reduce plastic use in single-serve cup packaging by 15% by 2026, the container is also designed to reduce food waste and improve print quality.