Futuro egg cartons, which are produced using post-consumer recycled fibre, can be recycled in the paper and cardboard stream
Huhtamaki has introduced 100% plastic free egg carton in Europe. (Credit: Huhtamaki)
Sustainable packaging solutions provider Huhtamaki has introduced a 100% plastic-free egg carton, dubbed Futuro, for cooked coloured eggs in Europe.
The new sustainable carton is more relevant to the German market, where hard-boiled eggs or Bunte Eier is available. More than 80 million packs of hard-boiled eggs are sold per annum in Germany.
At present, hard-boiled eggs are regularly packed and sold in plastic packaging for sale in supermarkets.
Huhtamaki sales and marketing manager Hilbrand van Dijk said: “This is a step forward in helping our customers meet their sustainability targets and drive a circular economy.
“By simply switching to our fibre-based Futuro cartons, Germany could eliminate almost 2,400 metric tons of plastic from packaging for eggs yearly.”
Futuro cartons, which are produced using post-consumer recycled fibre, can be recycled in the paper and cardboard stream in Germany.
The sustainable fibre can also be composted at home or in an industrial composting facility after use.
The new flapless design of the carton makes it lighter than standard fibre cartons, thereby helping to reduce the carbon footprint. Its patented design also enables consumers to view the eggs on retail shelves.
Moos-Butzen, which sells fresh and cooked coloured eggs, is the first distributor to begin using Futuro egg cartons for its products.
Moos-Butzen managing director Rainer Becker said: “Quality and sustainability are integral to how we operate, we expect our partners to reflect these values. Bringing in the Futuro egg carton helps our customers make their products stand out on shelves in a sustainable way.”
The hard-boiled eggs packed in Futuro cartons are currently available in all major retail stores in Germany. The packs will be launched in other markets across Europe in the fall.
Last month, Huhtamaki introduced a new 100% plastic-free moulded fibre egg carton, called Smilepack, in the US and Brazil.