Ready-meal brand digs into custom packaging

Erasco, a food brand specializing in ready meals, has relaunched its products in custom-molded bowls.

The Germany-based company (under the Campbell Co. umbrella) has poured its ready meals into custom-molded, multi-layer bowl created by RPC Bebo Plastik.

Convenience packaging

The new microwavable packaging format reportedly increases the microwavability of the food, meeting increasing demand for convenience foods by busy consumers. The product, once heated, can be consumed straight from the container.

The 113-mm diameter thermoformed tubs are constructed of PP/EVOH/PP. They have a filling weight of 380 g.

The EVOH of the container performs as an oxygen barrier, helping to impart the product with an ambient shelf life of 12 months. Additionally, the stability of the bowl helps make it fully retortable.

Functional decoration

The tubs feature decoration that also serves a functional purpose. The thermo shrink sleeves are cool to the touch after removal from the microwave, even as the product inside is hot.

The caps are manufactured at RPB Bebo’s Bebo Print facility, where the film is printed before thermoforming to help enhance shelf appeal, with a decorative effect across both the lid and rim.

The decoration on the lid includes graphical, easy-to-follow instructions for heating the container.

Packaging expectations

According to the company, the pack meets the company’s branding and performance expectations.

We are delighted with the new packaging, which meets our requirements both in terms of modernity and manufacturability, while offering maximum convenience to the consumer,” said Kurt Ziegler, director of R&D for brand owner Campbells Germany. “We selected RPC Bebo for its reputation in multilayer sterilisable packaging and have been very pleased with the company’s contribution to this project.”