Meeting industry demand for attractive, efficient packaging

Packaging solutions provider Coveris has responded to demand from marketers of premium brands in the food-to-go sector with the development of a new packaging concept.

Targeting premium and top-tier product ranges, the Grab Box is a hybrid solution made from sustainably sourced lined board to produce a more rigid structure, lined with high-clarity, low-gauge polypropylene film featuring three windows for enhanced product visibility.

The packaging provides a large printable area on kraft or plain board and can be printed on one or both sides with a combined total of nine colours, allowing additional communication or branding to appear on the inside of the box.

Supplied as a flat, pop-up box, the Grab Box is quick to erect and simple to hand-fill before being heat sealed, resulting in faster processing speeds. The heat-sealed top flange provides pack integrity and is perforated to enable easy opening for consumers.

UK retailer Tesco was the first retailer to adopt the new package, launching a range of ‘Finest’ festive sandwiches during December 2016, with additional lines from the range rolled out in Grab Boxes in early 2017.

Tesco Packaging Technical Manager Dr Mark Caul said the retailer had worked with Coveris and its sandwich suppliers to develop the packaging. He said that as well as being an efficient pack for suppliers to use on fast-moving lines, the board comes from sustainable forests and the delicate sandwich is protected with a minimum amount of packaging, thereby reducing food waste in the supply chain.

Coveris Packaging Development Manager Adam Lunn said retailers and manufacturers had asked Coveris to use lined board technology to create innovative packaging for top-tier lines, and the Grab Box delivered both visual appeal and efficient processing.