Global launch of cavity rPET fruit packaging

The Italian company said its SETB35 2FT punnet made from rPET was developed with cavities for storing round fruits. The 500g clamshell punnet was produced following the positive market reaction to the PLA version and to enhance the firm's sustainability strategy, ILIP said.

The rPET version has been brought to the market to increase customer choice and to maximise the different properties offered by the material compared to PLA, a spokeswomen for the Bologna-based company told FoodProductionDaily.com.

“The main differences between PLA and r-PET are the gas and water vapour permeability and the heat resistance, which, in general, are better for r-PET,”​ she added

While both have good transparency characteristics, the most important differences lay in the origin of the two raw materials; PLA from renewable resources and rPET from post consumer PET, said the spokeswoman

The container has so far been developed in four sizes and, after being trialled by a leading Italian fruit packager, is now being rolled out across globe.

The spokeswoman said: “Previously, the product was previously available just in ​Italy​ and just in ​PLA​, now is available worldwide, both in ​PLA​ and in rPET.”​