Under the name Saica Fresh, the originally Spanish company group Saica is now offering a comprehensive and, above all, sustainable approach to fruit and vegetable packaging. This includes both films and packaging made from recycled and refined waste paper. The aim is to contribute to a reduction in waste and thus to a circular economy, without losing sight of the high demands of today's consumer.
Right: Holger Jentschke, Key Account Manager Germany at Saica Flex.
Saica Flex is part of the Saica Group, which in turn consists of four divisions. Saica Natur is the recycling company and supplies Saica Paper with raw materials for paper production. Saica Pack processes the recycled paper that Saica Paper has recycled into cardboard packaging. This is where the cycle ultimately closes. (PE is also recycled by the company's own recycling plants and reintroduced to the market.) Saica Flex is the youngest and currently smallest department of the internationally operating company and is fully dedicated to flexible packaging made of paper, plastics and composite materials.
When it comes to mushroom packaging, OPP hybrid film has now become the standard in the British market. "We have recently been able to win a new market with Iceland," says Holger Jentschke, Key Account Manager Germany at Saica Flex. "Apart from mushroom packaging, our lidding films, which we manufacture for plastic and cardboard trays, are growing well. Aside from fruit and vegetables, our Wine Tag Labels and Grouping Bands made from 100 percent fresh fiber paper are particularly on the rise. As many producers are striving to reduce the use of plastic, our products offer an excellent alternative to conventional plastic labels, which we supply as far as Africa and South America."
Left: The tried-and-tested OPP hybrid film is now the standard on British mushroom shelves.
Right: Cardboard trays with lidding film
Differences between Europe and the UK
Saica Flex is active throughout Europe. "However, when it comes to fruit and vegetable packaging, we are mainly represented in the UK, France, the Netherlands, Belgium and Portugal. Here, we are mainly talking about printed flow wraps and wicket bags, for example for apples," says Jentschke. The European markets are relatively similar. "Of course, one country packs more in plastic trays with lidding film, while other countries still prefer shrink film. We see the most significant difference between the UK and Europe in general. In the former market, almost everything is packed and printed, with packaging seen as a communication medium in which, among other things, price differences of a product are emphasized and advertised solely through the packaging. The market structures themselves also differ significantly. While Europe is home to many small and medium-sized companies, the UK is dominated by a few large companies that control the entire market. As a result, the market dynamics are very different."
Left: Banana banderoles from Saica. Right: Sustainable labels.
Reuse, recycle, compost
In his lecture at this year's BDC conference in Lohne, Jentschke spoke, among other things, about the EU Packaging Regulation, which will come into force on January 1, 2030. The regulation stipulates that all packaging with a plastic content should consist of a certain minimum percentage of post-consumer recyclate (PCR). "However, we have found that in practice this raw material is still very difficult to obtain, which will inevitably present us with major challenges," said Jentschke, addressing his audience from the mushroom industry: "Basically, most of your packaging is sustainable and recyclable, so you are already on the right track." The current issue regarding the fundamental ban on plastic packaging for container sizes under 1.5 kg is problematic. Here, associations must become active in order to continue to be able to sell sensitive products such as raspberries or mushrooms with the current packaging concept. But even in the event that no exemption is granted, we offer complete solutions with Saica Pack and Saica Flex."
Photo credit: Saica Flex Luxembourg
For more information:
Holger Jentschke
Key Account Manager Germany
Saica Flex Luxembourg
Tel: +35 2 236 575 01
[email protected]
www.saica.com