Italy: Irplast introduces Food Contact Tape

"We have been working in the fresh produce sector for many years, manufacturing packaging that meets diverse functional requirements: it protects, works as a barrier film, is re-sealable and much more. It depends on the products, as each type has its own characteristics and needs. This is why we also develop solutions with clients themselves," explains Pamela Bianchi, sales manager at Irplast.

The search for innovative sustainable solutions led Irplast (whose facilities hold the BRC-IoP certification) to developing the Food Contact Tape, i.e. a multi-functional tape that can reduce packaging costs by 60-70%. Not only does it hold multiple product units together, but also displays the brand thus replacing traditional packaging (filmed trays or die-cut labels) and reducing packaging weight by 15 times.

"The fresh produce sector, retailers in particular, want high-performing multi-functional solutions with great marketing appeal while being sustainable and reasonably priced at the same time. This is why we came up with the Food Contact Tape. It's a cost saving single-material solution to brand produce while maintaining its organoleptic properties intact."

This evolution originated from Irplast's determination to find effective solutions for the ever-evolving fresh produce sector. "We contributed to filling a gap. While there are similar tapes, no other product guarantees the same economic (packaging, logistic and transport) and environmental (less raw material and no additional cost to eliminate glue residues) savings while improving logistics (less bulky) and marketing (option to brand the product without adding other materials/flyers)."

Compared to traditional packaging, Food Contact Tape enables a saving of 96% on Conai's Eco-Tax, thus avoiding a higher final price and making the packaging more environmentally sustainable. In addition, it reduces handling and logistics costs by 80% as well as packaging times, as the tape can also be applied with automatic taping machines. While it was initially certified for use on fruit and vegetables with a peel, it is now suitable for contact with all kinds of food.

Thanks to its specially-developed adhesive, it is a free monomer, phthalate and mineral oil-free barrier film that guarantees an overall migration level below 10 mg/dm² and prevents ink from seeping. The facility that produces it holds the BRC-IoP certification, a global standard that guarantees the adherence to strict hygiene and sanitary rules during the entire production cycle in accordance with European regulations 1935/2004/EC and 2023/2006/EC on good practices.

According to Bianchi, Irplast managed to innovate despite the crisis by improving the efficiency of production processes as well as their sustainability. "Irplast's experience in managing tape and its potential were essential to develop this solution, which is part of the company strategy aimed at intercepting new market areas and becoming a supplier of advanced technology as well as a specialised consultant for innovative functional solutions."

Trade fairs
Irplast takes part in the main international packaging fairs. "In order to rationalise attendance costs in line with business objectives, we are testing innovative co-marketing solutions that will see us take part in fairs together with our partner machine producers. This way, we can offer clients complete solutions reducing time to market. We are also evaluating co-exhibiting options for the next editions of Macfrut and Fruit Logistica."

Sales Manager Pamela Bianchi will attend Fruit Attraction from 18th to 20th October 2017. To make an appointment, please phone +39 335 7356333 or write to [email protected].