Milk Link recognised for innovative, responsible packaging solution

This innovative pack type was developed in response to Marks & Spencer’s drive for more environmentally friendly materials; with the brief to Milk Link to supply sliced cheese in a reclosable, recyclable pack.

Milk Link, one of the UK’s leading dairy products businesses, asked Amcor to become its partner for developing the packaging solution that reduced waste to landfill, enabled recycling and used materials recycled from post consumer waste.

“Together with the team at Amcor, we developed a fit-for-use ‘Responsible Packaging’ solution at a cost base that enables access for all our products to the technology”, says Matt Richards, Milk Link’s Head of Innovation. That solution was the innovative ReClose3, a reclose top web, which seals to a mono RPET base web.

In September 2007 Amcor Flexibles launched ReClose3 with Milk Link. The product will allow Milk Link in 2008 to reduce the overall package weight of the slices format by 8%, reducing waste to landfill by 45 tons. It will also allow the recycling of 201 tons per annum (previously unable to be recycled). Furthermore, 100 tons per annum of recycled food approved polyester from the waste stream will be used.

“The ReClose3 packaging also looks good. This gives the customers excellent product visibility. The reclose function maintains pack functionality and guarantees the freshness of the food,” says Matt Richards.

With Reclose3, Amcor Flexibles offers an innovative and cost-effective solution applicable to a large variety of food and non-food applications. Not only does it offer savings opportunities, it also combines superior consumer convenience with environmental responsibility.