Single-use plastic trays, especially for fresh proteins like meat, remain staples in foodservice, despite rising waste concerns. Graphic Packaging International’s new PaperSeal Pressed tray offers a potential shift, reducing plastic content by around 85% while delivering shelf life similar to traditional plastic alternatives.
This could signal a meaningful opportunity for large-scale operators aiming to meet sustainability expectations without disrupting operations. According to Graphic Packaging and packaging media outlets, the innovation rests on three key attributes:
- Material and Design: The tray is constructed primarily from paperboard made with third-party certified wood fiber, combined with a high-barrier liner applied after forming to prevent micro-leaks. That design delivers a hermetic seal suitable for modified atmosphere packaging (MAP), keeping produce fresh.
- Operational Compatibility: It runs on existing form-fill-seal equipment, allowing foodservice suppliers to shift away from plastic without major capital investment. This lowers barriers and accelerates adoption.
- Recyclability and Branding: Recyclable via household waste streams, the tray also supports full inside-and-outside printing—offering branding opportunities not possible with conventional plastic trays without added labels.
Industry Context and Relevance
PaperSeal Pressed expands Graphic Packaging’s lineup in high-volume, price-sensitive segments like fresh poultry, pork, and minced meat—key categories in foodservice packaging systems.
While initial coverage originates in European and global packaging trade media, the operational efficiencies and sustainability benefits are directly applicable to U.S. foodservice players, especially as retailers and regulators press for plastic reduction and circular packaging.
Executive Takeaways
Performance aligned with convenience: The tray matches plastic's shelf life while enhancing recyclability and branding.
Minimal operational disruption: Existing packaging lines can convert seamlessly to paperboard trays.
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Regulation-ready positioning: The technology aligns with rising pressure to reduce single-use plastic in U.S. foodservice packaging.
Summary
PaperSeal Pressed represents a viable material innovation with strong operational and environmental appeal. It replaces the bulk of plastic packaging with a recyclable paperboard alternative that doesn’t compromise performance. For U.S. foodservice operators, monitoring its integration into supply chains offers an opportunity to anticipate and adapt to packaging sustainability shifts—before mandates or market forces require it.
