A WorldStar goes to unique oxygen barrier pack

A customised oxygen barrier pack from RPC Superfos started out as a nominee for a Scanstar award - and won. Now the recent innovation has made its way to a WorldStar 2013/14.

RPC Superfos has been honoured with a WorldStar award for a customised polypropylene oxygen barrier packaging. An expert panel of judges got together in Barcelona in November 2013 and decided to honour this innovative packaging solution especially developed for a customer in the seafood industry.

One of a kind
The judges unanimously considered the bespoke oxygen barrier pack superior in its category and market. Also, in comparison with others it was deemed better in its class in execution and innovation.

RPC Superfos developed a series of four bespoke types of packaging with the unique oxygen barrier solution for Bornholms, a market leader in seafood in Scandinavia as part of a significant conversion process from metal cans to plastic.

Two years on shelf at ambient temperatures
The main quality of the award winning pack is its outstanding oxygen barrier which has been obtained by combining several methods for long shelf life. In fact, selected seafood products can get a two-year shelf life in this pack at ambient temperatures. However, the advanced solution is not only reserved for seafood; the packaging design can easily be adapted to many other types of foodstuff that require airtight storage.

Executive VP CSO Søren Marcussen from RPC Superfos is pleased and proud about the recognition from the World Packaging Organisation:

“To receive a WorldStar is a major accolade and a marvellous event. The award underpins our exemplary innovation and comprehensive product design which gives the entire food industry another true alternative to traditional packaging material.”

Three methods combined
Essentially, the unique oxygen barrier is the result of combining three methods encompassing the use of virgin material which is approved for treatment under high temperatures and for autoclaving. Then embedded barrier labels fully cover the entire pack and finally, in the middle of the packaging, there is additional barrier material which is applied by using a two-component sandwich construction (co-injection). The three parameters of the packaging design can be adjusted according to the type of product filled into the packaging and the need for subsequent processing.

From Scanstar to WorldStar
The prestigious WorldStar award is solely presented to those packing projects that have already been honoured in national or regional competitions. The bespoke oxygen barrier pack for seafood won a Scanstar (Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland) in September 2013.