Closing the protein packaging loop with kp Elite

Closing the protein packaging loop with kp Elite^®️

What does it take to move the needle on fresh protein packaging sustainability?

At Klöckner Pentaplast (kp), we are committed to pushing the envelope on innovation and sustainability in packaging solutions, and we believe in readying our customers for the challenges of modern-day business. We’ve recently relaunched our kp Elite^® modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) tray to show a new path forward - one of circularity and a more sustainable and robust protein sector.

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A protein packaging revolution

Our mission at kp has always been clear: to create packaging that not only meets the high-performance standards expected by our customers but also to incrementally reduce the impact of packaging on the natural world. This can include better use of natural resources and creating a closed loop system where less packaging ends up in landfill.

What sets it apart is that it's not just recyclable; it's a best-in-class, modified atmosphere mono-material packaging tray certified 100% recyclable* by the esteemed RecyClass initiative.

Modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) tray

kp Elite^®

Our kp Elite^® MAP tray is a shining example of our commitment to these values. What sets it apart is that it's not just recyclable; it's a best-in-class, modified atmosphere mono-material packaging tray certified 100% recyclable^* by the esteemed RecyClass initiative.

In a world where Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) initiatives loom large on the horizon, our push towards responsible material use is designed to make real long-term change. But that's not all. What makes our exciting relaunch so significant is that when combined with our innovative kp Zapora^® padless technology and the kp Tray2Tray^® recovery initiative, protein packers, processors and retailers can access a fully closed loop packaging system from one supplier – which is no easy feat in food packaging.

Performance meets sustainability

One of the core beliefs that drives us is that sustainability shouldn't come at the cost of performance. With kp Elite^®, we've managed to strike the perfect balance. The tray's award-winning sealing capabilities are designed to keep products fresh, while the use of up to 100% recycled PET (rPET) ensures it seamlessly integrates into existing PET recycling systems.

By unlocking a closed loop system, we're aiming to drive the fresh protein market further than ever before. One of the biggest challenges in the market is packaging circularity. By combining our kp Elite^® tray technology with our kp Tray2Tray^® initiative, kp Elite^® takes a vital step forward in reducing waste and promoting a more resource-efficient packaging ecosystem.

Our 'Investing in Better' sustainability strategy has set an ambitious goal: we want 100% of our packaging solutions to be recyclable by the end of 2025. Our kp Elite^® solution is a vital step towards achieving that goal.

kp Zapora^®

More than ‘just a tray’

The kp Elite^® MAP tray is not your average protein packaging solution. It's designed to seal through contamination, reducing the need for rework and repacking, and creates a slicker, less disrupted production process.

It requires lower sealing time and temperature, making it more efficient for packers, processors, and retailers. Plus, the hermetic seal minimises leaks, ensuring that products reach customers in prime condition.

Consumer-led kp Zapora^®

The benefits of kp Elite^® don’t begin and end with production efficiency and sustainability - the tray can also be combined with kp Zapora^®.

kp Zapora^® is an innovative padless tray designed to eliminate the need for the absorbent pads in fresh protein packaging, which are so disliked by consumers.. As well as providing consumers with clean, hassle-free packaging, its integrated liquid retention features benefit packers and processors by reducing complexity, meaning reduced downtime and increased line efficiency.

kp Zapora® offers crystal-clear product presentation, is made from up to 100% post-consumer recycled PET, enhances the customer experience, and is easy to rinse and recycle.

kp Zapora^® offers crystal-clear product presentation, is made from up to 100% post-consumer recycled PET, enhances the customer experience, and is easy to rinse and recycle. It’s the ultimate choice to encourage at-home recycling and contribute to the closure of the plastic packaging loop.

Thinking kp Tray2Tray^®

kp Tray2Tray^® is an initiative with a mission to recover and recycle PET food trays, transforming them into new, safe, protective, and fully recyclable trays.

Currently, only 14% of plastic packaging is collected for recycling^**, and kp is pioneering the way forward to revolutionise food tray recycling, working closely with its value chain partners to ensure a constant supply of post-consumer recycled plastics.

In short order, the kp Tray2Tray^® initiative has become a leading force in creating a closed loop system for food packaging, inviting the industry to collaborate in establishing separate recycling and sorting systems for pots, tubs, and trays. By doing so, we are responding to the increasing demand for recycled PET material in food and drink packaging, while driving ever closer to sustainability goals.

With our global sites implementing kp Tray2Tray^®, we're paving the way towards full tray-to-tray circularity. As part of our ‘Investing in Better’ sustainability strategy, we are committed by 2025 to ensuring that at least 30% of post-consumer recycled material comes from kp Tray2Tray^® sources. This initiative has already earned recognition and prestigious awards in the industry, further highlighting its significance in promoting sustainability and closed loop food packaging.

Leading the way

At kp, we're on a mission to prove that sustainability and performance can coexist without compromise. kp Elite^® is a shining example of our commitment to efficiency, performance, and sustainability. With the upcoming Plastics Packaging Waste Regulations, which mandate the use of post-consumer recyclate (PCR) in packaging, kp Elite^® is well ahead of the curve.

Actions speak louder than words when it comes to sustainability, and we don't just talk the talk; we walk the walk. While the industry uses higher PCR or virgin material based on cost, we are committed to using the maximum amount of recycled PET (rPET) - up to 100% whenever possible – and we proudly communicate this on our packaging.

Forming part of a strong, closed-loop system, the kp Elite^® MAP tray is a game-changer in the European fresh protein sector. It's not just a packaging solution; it's a statement of our commitment to sustainability, circularity, and resource efficiency. It's a solution that ticks all the sustainability boxes, and we've designed it with you, our customers, and the environment in mind.

We invite you to learn more about kp Elite^® and our comprehensive range of packaging solutions here.

_{* Any changes in design, print, used materials, and the effect of product content or residue, might change the outcome of the recyclability of a final packaging.
** Plastics and the circular economy (ellenmacarthurfoundation.org)}