In response to rising demand for its products from the chilled retail prepared and convenience sectors, UK plastic packaging specialist Linpac Packaging (Featherstone; www.linpac.com) has announced further investments in its Freshform division, specifically in its “Freshware” range of tubs, trays and containers. Demand for Freshware has been growing so rapidly since the range was first introduced in January 2013 (see Plasteurope.com of 13.02.2013), Linpac said, it is now installing a new flexible thermoformer at its main plant in Featherstone.

The new machine brings the group’s total investment into the Freshform division since October 2012 to GBP 2m (about EUR 2.4m), Linpac said. The range includes packaging for prepared fruit and salads, dips, sandwich fillers, pasta, pizza, chilled bakery and cooked meats, among others, and is sold to customers across Europe.

This year Linpac is introducing a range of new products and innovations for the Freshware range, including easy peel films as well as portioned packs and hinged boxes for its “LeanBake” selection of lightweight containers for confectionary and bakery items that require hermetic or semi-hermetic sealing.