Removal of ban on Irish beef exports to US sees increase in demand for products

Packaging supplier launches ‘revolutionary’ shrink bag to protect meat with sharp bones in it

By Jenny Eagle

- Last updated on GMT

Related tags Meat

Scobie & Junor Premium Max shrink bag meat bones
Packaging supplier, Scobie & Junor has partnered with Premium Pack, based in Vienna, Austria, to launch Premium Max shrink bag, suitable for meat processors who pack any product with sharp bones in it.

The single seal pouch gets rid of bone guard as the material is strong and puncture resistant and claims to be the only bag on the market that can be printed in up to eight colours for shelf appeal. 

Eliminates the use of bone protection sheets

PREMIUM%20max%20lamb%20ribs

Gordon Wicklow, director, Scobie & Junor, told Foodproductiondaily, Premium Max is a bone protection shrink bag that eliminates the use of bone protection sheets or shank caps. 

The Premium Max 95 micron shrink bag will bring significant benefits to the UK & Irish meat markets with the growing focus on reducing packaging waste whilst improving the on shelf appearance,​” he said. 

Due to its construction it can be printed on in up to eight colours on both sides, which is impossible on any other bag at present, meaning it will transform the presentation of these joints in shrink bags on the supermarket shelves​.” 

In trials with one customer, Wicklow said he could demonstrate savings of over 50% in overall packaging costs because the meat plant could remove the bone protection, traditionally placed around the product, before it was placed in the shrink bag.  

Reduces leakers and production time

By removing bone guard, it reduces leakers and production time as well as double handling of the product​,” he added. 

Scobie & Junor welcomed Kelly Wright, head of sales and marketing, Premium Pack, to the UK and Ireland last month to tour around selected meat plants to demonstrate the product. 

"It has been a tough number of years for the UK and European meat industry as a whole with the outbreak of BSE in the late 90s to the horse meat scandal of 2013​,” said Wicklow. 

The lifting of the ban on Irish beef exported to America for the first time in 16 years, (which had been in place since the BSE scare) means there will be a significant increase in demand for products of this nature, with excellent shelf life and transportation properties.​ 

"The UK and Ireland food industry is more focused on local sources and produce products, this is great for our economies and is further helping the recovery from the recession​." 

Scobie & Junor is a family-owned business established in 1919. It supplies packaging, ingredients, clothing, sundries, casings, machinery and meat net into the UK & Irish meat industry with premises in East Kilbride, Glasgow. Belfast, Naas Co. Kildare and Corby Northants.

Related topics Processing & Packaging

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