Active material science food safety solutions provider Aptar – Food Protection has secured a licence to manufacture and distribute Halopack’s sustainable food packaging product in North America.

The patented Aptar Halopack solution is designed for both dry and high moisture foods and is available in a wide range of configurations: skin pack, clamshell, freezable, microwave and oven-able, and modified atmosphere packaging.

The duo-tray configuration offers a solution for foods that require a multi-compartment structure to maintain the integrity of the separate ingredients until consumption.

The packaging is produced with Forest Stewardship Council-certified recycled cardboard and a minimal amount of film, allowing the package to be recycled in existing cardboard streams once the film is removed.

Compared to conventional plastic-based trays, Halopack’s use of cardboard materials allows for up to a 90% reduction in plastic.

The paperboard-based tray systems can be folded flat to save recycling bin space.

Custom printing directly on the paperboard, both inside and outside the package, reduces or eliminates the need for additional labels and minimises manufacturing steps associated with label placement.

The trays are engineered to fit in existing top seal and skin pack equipment with minimal tooling conversion required.

More than one billion units have been sold in Europe by Halopack, the Netherlands-based company that invented the product.

Aptar Halopack is currently being manufactured in North America at Aptar – Food Protection’s facility in Atlanta. The company plans to expand production to other North American locations.

Aptar – Food Protection vice-president and general manager Neal Watson commented: “We’re excited about the benefits Halopack brings in the areas of sustainability and reducing food waste and are eager to explore expanding the tray’s applications beyond the food market.”

In January 2024, Aptar partnered with ProAmpac on moisture-adsorbing packaging technology.