Linpac Packaging (Featherstone, West Yorkshire / UK; www.linpacpackaging.com) has been granted a UK patent for a new range of rPET food trays, which, thanks to a novel sealing technology, are 100% recyclable. The “Rfresh Elite” trays use a sealant on the tray flange to create a seal with the lidding film, removing the need for a laminated PE base film.

“The ingenious new sealing system can be removed in the hot wash process employed by Europe’s PET recycling companies, meaning a recycled Rfresh Elite tray will yield 100% crystal clear PET after recycling, in the same way as a clear bottle,” said Alan Davey, director of innovation at Linpac Packaging. “This benefits the packaging and food retailing industries by helping to meet the targets set by the European Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive.”

The lightweight trays are suitable for meat and poultry. During trials with packers and food manufacturers, the trays outperformed competitors’ products in seal line performance and matched or exceeded the performance expected of a conventional PET/PE solution, Linpac said.

Removal of the PE film also improves the tray clarity and can reduce the tray weight by up to 3%, the company added.