Klöckner Pentaplast (kp) has cemented its position as a technological leader in the packaging industry, after its patent claims for its innovative kp Elite^® tray were upheld by the European Patent Office (EPO) Board of Appeals. The EPO’s final decision confirms the groundbreaking, innovative nature of kp Elite^®, a best-in-class mono plastic tray for MAP applications.

Traditionally, thermoformed trays have required a PE film to be laminated across the full surface area of the tray before a lidding film can be applied and hermetically sealed. The kp Elite^® design replaces this PE layer with a hot melt adhesive applied only to the tray flange - a revolutionary innovation that minimises material and pack weight, improves recyclability and supports the circular economy.

Patent protection in Europe means that kp has patent claims covering this unique tray design, which provides greater compatibility with European recycling infrastructure, without compromising sealing or shelf-life performance.

Customers in the meat, fish, poultry, and alternative protein segments looking for minimal-material, high-performance packaging solutions can now streamline their supply chains, by sourcing all of their packaging components from kp as a single, trusted supplier - including lidding films and patent-protected trays. With new sustainability legislation sweeping across Europe, focusing on all elements of the supply chain, the decision comes at a critical juncture for brands, retailers and their packers looking for circular innovations that they can always rely on.

Vincent Gass, VP Strategic Marketing & Innovation, Food Packaging, at kp, said the news was positive for kp – but more importantly, for its customers. “We’ve dedicated a great deal of time, expertise and investment to developing cutting edge, sustainable packaging solutions, like kp Elite^®, and to see those efforts legally and publicly recognised reflects a fair and just outcome,” he said. “Our customers continue to rely on kp for reliable technology that not only delivers superior performance, but also drives real progress towards a circular economy.

“In a market where confidence is the most valuable commodity, we’re delighted to be able to offer our customers a patent-protected solution that is proudly backed by the Tray Circularity Evaluation Platform (TCEP) of Petcore Europe.”


About Klöckner Pentaplast 
Focused on delivering its vision: The Sustainable Protection of Everyday Needs, kp is a global leader in rigid and flexible packaging and specialty film solutions, serving the pharmaceutical, medical device, food, beverage and card markets, amongst others. With a broad and innovative portfolio of packaging and product films and services, kp plays an integral role in the customer value chain by safeguarding product integrity, assuring safety and consumer health, improving sustainability, and protecting brand reputation. kp’s “Investing in Better” sustainability strategy solidifies its commitment to achieving ten clear targets for long-term improvement by increasing the recycling and recyclability of products, cutting carbon emissions and continuous improvement in employee engagement, safety, and diversity, equity and inclusion. For five consecutive years, kp has held a gold rating from EcoVadis, the leading platform for environmental, social and ethical performance ratings. This ranks kp in the top 1% of companies rated in the manufacturing of plastics products sector.

Founded in 1965, kp has 29 plants in 17 countries and employs some 5,500 people committed to serving customers worldwide in over 60 locations. kp is proud to be celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2025.


Media contacts:
Karen Quirchove
Marketing Communications Director, Food Packaging
food.packaging@kpfilms.com
+33 (0)7 84 03 04 40

Hilary Barnes
Group Director, Global Communications
kpinfo@kpfilms.com
+44 (0) 7393 249 967