Lightweight foam tray offers high sealability and strength, says firm

Sealed Air said that its Cryovac ovenable foam tray (OFT), suitable for either microwave or traditional oven use, can be used with the Cryovac DOF range of films and its combination of chemical and physical properties make the surface of the tray flange ideal for optimal sealability. Its high barrier property was developed to also ensure optimal preservation of the food products' organoleptic qualities, said the company. The Cryovac OFT provides added value to ready meal processors, according to the company, through its thermal insulation which allows it to remain smooth and cool to the touch after heating or not too cold when taken straight out of the freezer. Consumer demand​ Francesco Arena, European marketing manager for Cryovac Food Solutions told FoodProductionDaily.com that the development of the Cryovac OFT was driven by consumer demand for convenience without compromise on quality. "Packaging performance coupled with environmental sustainability is a ready meals market driver and one where the Cryovac OFT really delivers,​" she said. "The OFT offers a reduction in packaging weight, a tray with no sharp edges making it more friendly to line operators as well as​ improved sealability​ and mechanical resistance to enable higher outputs and reduce the rate of rejects,"​ claims Arena. Cost effective​ According to Sealed Air, actual outputs per hour using the tray will depend on an individual processor's equipment and process as the tray has been developed to run on standard C-PET rigid tray machinery. 'Costs should be judged in terms of overall performance and the level of delivered competitive edge offered by the Cryovac OFT,"​ according to Arena. Brand differential is also a feature of the new foam tray, according to Arena. She said that the flexible, soft-to-the-touch packaging makes it stand out on the supermarket shelf over the current rigid tray offer, adding to its potential appeal for retailers. She added that the tray is 100 per cent recyclable and can be flattened for easy disposal, thus further reducing its environmental impact. Testing​ During laboratory and field testing the tray has been shown to heat evenly and retain tray strength after cooking, thus minimising the spilling of hot contents, claims the company. The tray also demonstrated high impact resistance at low temperatures during the trials, according to the manufacturer. Arena said that the standard rigid C-PET temperature range of -40° C to 200° C applies to the Cryovac OFT in terms of heating and freezing.