International Paper – HP-Punnet
HP-Punnet EQUILIBRATED | SAFE | INFORMATIVE | FORWARD-LOOKING
What it is. Acronym for High Performance Punnet (Basket), HP-Punnet is a Patent Pending solution for the packaging of wet or damp (drained) fruit and vegetables.
Thanks to the innovative design, with an outward "flap" along the top perimeter of the punnet, it has been possible to seal the "uncovered flutes" of the corrugated cardboard, thus increasing protection against moisture and resistance during the various phases of use. The bevelled and rounded edges facilitate the insertion of the vegetables during the packaging phase and facilitate the application of the food film, preventing it from breaking. To improve resistance to humidity, a paper laminated to a PET thin film suitable for food contact has been inserted in the inner cover.
The replacement of PET with a surface treatment with waterproofing and antibacterial properties is being tested, which would also improve product shelf-life.
Materials. Corrugated cardboard, E wave, laminated to a PET film.
Product content or target market. Damp or wet (drained) fruits and vegetables.
Design. The basket is made in one piece. The flap, formed with the current industrial machines that assemble trays, is obtained by folding the edge along a straight line when the basket is still "lying": once assembled, the basket takes the shape of a "boat", ensuring rigidity, strength and greater capacity.
The gluing fins are designed to match during gluing/mounting, so as to create a uniform side bank with no unevenness inside the basket: this prevents the vegetables from being dented or damaged. The design with "flap" and without holes avoids that the condensation produced by the packed vegetables can infiltrate inside the "uncovered barrel" of the carton, where PET is not present.
Technology. Flatbed die-cutting and forming with current tray-mounting machines.
Sustainability. Composed of 95% cellulose, 72% of which is recycled fiber, the packaging is 100% recyclable. FSC certified paper. Compared to similar standard trays of the same size, 23% more assembled product can be stored.
