Finnish packaging company Walki has been selected to supply recyclable paper-based secondary packaging for the pancake products of French dairy cooperative Laîta.
Laîta’s decision to choose paper-based packaging is driven by regulations such as France's AGEC law and the EU's Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, which encourage the use of recyclable materials.
The Paysan Breton pancakes, a product of Laîta, are individually wrapped and sold in bundles of six.
The secondary packaging's role is to enhance visual appeal while maintaining necessary features such as durability and the ability to be sealed.
Laïta EVEN/LAITA packaging development and procurement manager Mathieu Boulc’h said: “We were looking for a supplier who was able to improve our current paper film secondary packaging solution for our Paysan Breton pancakes. We wanted to make a monomaterial that was easier to recycle while not compromising on the technical and mechanical properties of our current packaging.”
Since the primary packaging already safeguards the food, the secondary packaging can forgo advanced barrier properties, thus permitting the use of fully recyclable paper material.
Laîta's marketing studies show a growing consumer preference for reduced single-use plastic packaging. This consumer insight, combined with regulatory mandates, has propelled Laîta to pursue environmentally friendly packaging options.
Walki business development manager Marie Barge said: “You need to find the right balance between paper quality, one that offers an excellent print finishing and the right packaging performance, but is not too thick which might compromise runnability. Making the switch from a paper/plastic complex to paper should not compromise productivity per minute as production efficiency is of course essential.”
The collaboration between Walki and Laîta spanned two years, culminating in the development of the solution.
Boulc’h added: “The project went very well and Walki met all our needs and expectations. We had a very open dialogue throughout the project and were able to resolve every challenge we faced during the process.”
