The successor to the original LINPAC business, we have led the world in the development of plastic packaging and film technologies since 1969.  LINPAC Packaging has never stopped innovating and has been responsible for such ground-breaking products as:

Clearfresh
Many northern European markets have experienced a trend in meat and protein packaging towards rigid trays and away from the foam polystyrene (PS) trays that have done the job for so long.  Mainly this move has been propelled by the availability of cheap polypropylene (PP) trays, and the key driver has been the requirement for customers to be able to see the meat and fish they are buying.

Many consumer surveys have indicated that customers prefer clear packaging because protein products are usually high-value purchases, and they want to see what they are buying from all sides, especially after a succession of food scares.  However, polypropylene offers only modest clarity and our customers told us they wanted crystal clear packaging.

So we developed the original Clearfresh concept.  This high-clarity tray is manufactured principally from non-expanded polystyrene.  But the gas barrier properties of polystyrene alone are not sufficient for MAP (modified atmosphere) packaging, so we then had to develop a high gas barrier version.

The result is the current Clearfresh concept – a polystyrene rigid tray laminated with a high gas barrier film.  Our innovative solution is a protein pack that offers high clarity and great gas barrier capabilities for long product shelf life.

LINpro trays
LINPAC has also responded to market demands for cheaper but less clear packaging products in the form of polypropylene (PP) trays, and in the early 2000s we launched the LINpro range in Northern Europe (including the UK).  This PP tray range has been designed to maximise the performance of the material, and the design features we introduced are now the market's preferred product characteristics in Germany and the UK.

We produce LINpro trays in clear homopolymer, with excellent clarity (for polypropylene), as well as co-polymer, where low temperature drop-impact tolerance is considered important.  As environmental issues have taken centre stage in recent years we have also developed the range to include post-consumer recycled (PCR) content.  This has been a challenging exercise, as reliable sources of post-consumer material suitable for food tray use are hard to find.

LINPAC Packaging drew on its 15 years of recycling experience through sister company, LINPAC Plastics Recycling, to develop a safe, consistent and reliable solution.  Currently, 10% PCR content is considered a safe level, but as the technology continues to improve and collections of recycled material grow, we expect the PCR content to increase over time.

Food grade aPET and rPET trays and tubs
Of course the ultimate environmentally friendly rigid tray in today's marketplace is made of recycled PET (rPET).  PET has that winning combination of crystal clarity, high barrier, good rigidity and first class recycling credentials.  LINPAC introduced its first PET containers and trays for the protein sector in 2007.  Since then the market has grown rapidly, and we have continued to invest accordingly – we now have four large extrusion lines and 10 thermoforming lines all dedicated to PET protein tray production.

The same characteristics have been recognised and accepted enthusiastically in the bakery sector, where LINPAC's range of aPET and rPET bakery products help to create the fantastic display of merchandise on supermarket shelves.  Our customers can choose whether their packaging contains recycled product or not.  But whichever solution they adopt the product always remains highly attractive – a real sales and marketing advantage for bakery products.

PET is one of the materials collected consistently from households across Europe for recycling.  Clear PET thermoformed trays, like those supplied by LINPAC for the protein, bakery and fruit and produce markets, are eminently suitable for recycling alongside PET bottles.  Not only that, but the same recycled bottles can also potentially be used in the manufacture of rPET packaging products.  Once again, LINPAC has employed its extensive, long-term recycling expertise to ensure top quality food safety standards, as well as physical properties that are indistinguishable from those of 100% prime virgin material.

LINPAC's Rfresh PET protein trays, which are sold throughout northern Europe, have a minimum of 50% post-consumer recycled (PCR) content as standard.  Recyclate levels can, however, be higher or lower than this according to customer preference.  Recycled material is derived from plastic bottle recycling schemes across the continent, and all such recycling activities are undertaken in accordance with European Community Regulation EC 282/2008, promulgated in March 2008 to validate and make consistent the disciplines required for the recycling of used containers in Europe.  At the heart of these requirements is compliance with all food contact regulations, plus regulations applying to good manufacturing practice, traceability, auditing, quality control, etc.

Rfresh XL
Beyond our Rfresh containers (with 50% recycled content) we have also developed deep-drawn tubs in Spain and the UK for joints and whole birds (see photo above).  Introduced in 2008, the Rfresh XL tubs feature high barrier properties and high clarity, providing a shelf life of approximately 10 days for their contents.