Faerch plast and Colpac collaborate to package Tesco's Food-to-Go range

A nine-month collaboration between Faerch Plast and Colpac Ltd in conjunction with fresh prepared foods manufacturer Bakkavor has developed a new food-to-go range for UK supermarket chain Tesco.

The range consists of six meals packaged in eye-catching pots produced from a combination of CPET and paperboard which can be heated in-store before being displayed in hot cabinets for purchase.

The dual-ovenable C-vis packaging concept comprises a high-quality black CPET pot from Faerch Plast and Colpac’s biodegradeable paperboard outer sleeve and lid. The packs are litho printed with bold graphics by Colpac using specialist heat-resistant inks.

Colpac’s C-vis packaging solution was originally developed in 2012, firstly as a microwaveable option and then using Faerch Plast’s CPET pot to provide a dual-ovenable version. Utilising approximately 30% less materials in comparison to a standard CPET sleeved product, the very thin inner and outer trays and paperboard or plastic lids are fully recyclable and supplied ready assembled for reduced handling time and costs.

A considerable amount of development work was involved in the project to determine the correct style and size of CPET pot. With lightweighting a major focus, the container selected measures 112.5 mm (diameter) and 85 mm (depth).

The Tesco Food-to-Go range of meals includes Macaroni Cheese, Bolognese Pasta, Chicken Tikka and Rice, Porridge, Chicken Jalfrezi and Rice and BBQ Pulled Pork and Rice.

Once filled, the packs are film sealed and lidded, and distributed to Tesco retail outlets for heating in-store using either microwave or conventional oven. They are then displayed in hot cabinets for purchase by the consumer, who simply removes the film and lid to eat the meal directly out of the pack.

The CPET trays offer a temperature tolerance from -20 to 220°C, for freezer-to-oven or microwave convenience.