After the complete rollout, the new packaging solution is expected to reduce the use of plastic by up to 20 tonnes per year, based on the estimated volumes associated with the previous packaging solution.
Together with Mondi, Fiorini International has developed a new paper-based packaging solution for a premium Italian pasta brand.
Following a redesign of its packaging, Antico Pastificio Umbro chose to introduce a paper bag with a transparent viewing window for its premium pasta ranges. After the complete rollout, the new solution is expected to reduce the use of plastic by up to 20 tonnes per year, compared with the previous packaging solution.
The collaboration with Mondi resulted in a paper bag featuring a large transparent cellulose-based window, allowing consumers to see the product inside. The materials and structure were selected with consideration for recyclability in the paper recycling stream, while maintaining the protective properties required for the packed product.
The packaging was developed to maintain the required shelf life of the pasta and provide protection during transport. A closure system using a food-contact hot-melt adhesive, combined with a reinforced patch on the bottom of the bag, supports the functionality and integrity of the packaging and facilitates opening.
The packaging has been designed for disposal in the paper collection stream, subject to the applicable local collection, sorting and recycling requirements. Its printable surface also provides space for brand and product information, while the technical characteristics of the material support its use on the relevant filling equipment.
The packaging solution was included in the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s Upstream Innovation Guide to Packaging Solutions, published in November 2021. It was also featured in “The Waste Age Exhibition”, hosted by the London Design Museum, which was open to the public between October 2021 and February 2022.
These examples highlight the development of paper-based alternatives for applications previously using plastic packaging, with recyclability and packaging functionality considered as part of the design process.
