Grape punnet redesigned with less plastic, same strength

With plastic packaging coming under fire in the produce industry companies are looking at ways to mi…

With plastic packaging coming under fire in the produce industry companies are looking at ways to minimise the use of plastic and move to recyclable packaging for fruit and vegetables.

Following this trend Indian packaging manufacturer AVI Global Plast has implemented measures to reduce the amount of plastic used in their products and lower their carbon footprint. The company has been offering clamshell punnets under its flagship brand Prime for many years. These punnets are used for a wide range of products, the main one being grapes. AVI supplies various growers, packers and exporters all over the globe.

“We have introduced a new design of clamshell punnets, our reference model PNG 501, which are used for grape packing,” explains Sukhdeep Sethi, Director of AVI Global Plast. “This product is similar to PNG500, however the design has been changed in such a way that even with a lower micron of plastic used, the strength of the pack has remained uncompromised. So a customer using a 20 gm punnet is now able to use a 18 gm punnet without feeling the difference in terms of strength, overall wall thickness and product safety.

"The new design has been very thoroughly thought out. The design ensures even material distribution and as a result despite reducing the thickness by up to 20%, the product strength remains unchanged. This also reduces the cost per unit.”

The company’s Prime punnets are made from PET, a widely recycled material.

AVI produces its own plastic sheets and employs technology that allows the use of 90% post-consumer PET waste in its products. Despite the products being made from 90% recycled content, all punnets are Food Certified under EU and REACH norms.