Crown Food Europe last year won DuPont's top packaging prize for a single-serving polymer coated steel bowl with a peelable lid. The package was created for William Saurin, a French ready-made meal producer. Now the company has launched the bowl to the wider market with a variety of options.
Consumer demands for convenience and health are the two trends fuelling growth in the food industry. Busy lifestyles are opening avenues for developing packaging solutions that are safe, easy to open, and convenient to use, according to research by Frost & Sullivan. Manufacturers are focusing on developing packaging solutions that cater to single and two-person households.
"Bowl-shaped cans are a great way for food companies to introduce convenience, as well as durability, to single-serve products," stated Laetitia Durafour, Crown Food Europe's marketing manager . "Can shaping, especially when combined with easy-open ends, is a powerful tool for these companies to build brand strength and consumer loyalty."
The bowl-shaped cans allow consumers to enjoy contents directly from the package. They are compatible with the company's range of Eole and PeelSeam easy-open ends. Crown is marketing them as being easy to carry in a handbag, briefcase or lunch box without spilling.
The shaped can's metal composition helps maintain flavor and sterility for processed foods that are consumed without extra preparation, Crown stated. The bowl is designed for ready-to-eat foods such as tuna and meat salads, pâtés and spreads, puddings, fruits and cream desserts.
The package is available in aluminum, steel and polymer-coated exteriors to meet specific product requirements. Three diameters are available for volumes ranging from 135ml/4.5oz to 492ml/16oz. They are available in a silver, white or gold external finish. Advanced surface printing technologies can be used on the metal.
High-quality print may also be applied to the PeelSeam ends. The ends can provide an extended product shelf life of up to three years.