Heinz uses Sealed Air vertical packaging in Russia

Vertical packaging technology from Sealed Air has helped Heinz's Russian operation meet increasing demand for packaged goods, the firm has said.

Heinz-Petrosoyuz, which runs three production plants across Russia, now uses the vertical pouch packaging technology from Sealed Air's Cryovac brand to pack products for McDonald's in 1kg and 2kg resistant flexible pouches.

The firm now owns two Cryovac machines to support the " growing demand " for this type of pack format.

According to the company, the Cryovac packaging process also helps prolong shelf life.

Cryovac pouches are made of fully co-extruded, multilayer, high barrier film.

The company said: " This technology provides a pack with no headspace, which is formed, vertically filled, heat sealed and separated into a finished, hermetic, puncture resistant pillow pouch offering high pack integrity. "

The machinery has helped Heinz-Petrosoyuz to efficiently respond to growing volumes and expanding demand, as well as geographical expansion projects, Sealed Air added.

Maxim Kiselnikov, head of foodservice for Heinz-Petrosoyuz said : "Developing a close partnership with Sealed Air has become a great business advantage.

We appreciate the very efficient support they provided when we urgently needed a second VPP machine to satisfy our increasing customer demand, which was quite an achievement."

Heinz is planning to expand its product range by introducing new products aimed at different market segments, for example bigger packs for mayonnaise, and the hotel and leisure market.

This summer Sealed Air Cryovac launched a new pack, which it claimed allows processors to use both vacuum and modified atmosphere techniques for extending the shelf life of their products.

Cryovac said it has redesigned its Darfresh brand specifically for red meat products.