Compostable Foam Tray Targets Meat, Poultry, and Seafood

TekniPlex Consumer Products has received certification from the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) for a compostable foam protein tray. It is officially designated as biodegradable in industrial compost settings. The tray targets the need for sustainable meat, poultry, and seafood packaging.

The compostable tray is made from cellulose-based direct food-contact material. For brand owners, it provides a drop-in replacement for traditional polystyrene foam trays owing to compatibility with existing, commonly used overwrap equipment used in case-ready packing. It’s also suitable for in-store or “back of house” packing.

The new tray is manufactured in the US and is part of the company’s GeoPack line of sustainability-oriented products, which meet defined environmental and social responsibility criteria.

“For protein packaging, alternatives to polystyrene foam are limited,” Chuck Gallagher, vice president of new product development for TekniPlex says of the segments the Consumer Products division serves. While using fiber-based packaging can be a challenge in wet environments, he adds: "Without necessitating substantial equipment investments, the GeoPack compostable tray introduces sustainability elements without sacrificing durability.”

Other GeoPack solutions include molded fiber egg cartons and trays, molded fiber agricultural trays for produce, and recycled polyester (rPET) egg cartons comprised of 100% post-consumer recycled (PCR) content.