The European Aluminium Foil Association (EAFA) has selected the Tetra Recart as a 'Foil Pack of the Year' in the 2002 round of EAFA Packaging Trophy Awards.
Marking a major step for flexible packaging into the 'canned food' market, Tetra Recart is claimed to be the first fully retortable carton system. A flexible alufoil laminate material is used to form rectangular containers which undergo heat sterilisation at 130°C and 100 per cent humidity for more than 2 hours after filling. The aluminium foil barrier plays a key part in the new pack and permits a shelf life of up to two years.
The Tetra Recart packaging material calls for a low level of resources and can be recycled in current carton recycling systems. Used packs are said to compact easily and make low demands on domestic waste collection and processing.
In selecting the pack as a 'Foil Pack of the Year'- submitted in the form of Friskies Winalot 'Simply Fresh' food for dogs - the EAFA panel of judges recognised a significant advance in the packaging of retorted food products, and one which could considerably change the picture in this sector. The new flexible pack saves significant space, weight and logistical costs throughout the whole packaging and retailing cycle. For the consumer, a tear-off laser perforated closure strip provides easy opening.
Thanks largely to the key part which the aluminium foil barrier performs in the laminate, Tetra Pak says that this offering provides a strong flexible packaging contender for the immense market traditionally held by the rigid tinplate can. In principle, the laminate structure for this advanced system is made up of a 9 mm alufoil layer, a moisture-resistant board material and mainly PP-based polymer coatings. The outer flexo-printed design is protected by a lacquer.