UPM and Fazer have co-created a fibre-based packaging solution which is being piloted for the Fazer Oat Rice Pies “Kaurainen Riisipiirakka”, a traditional snack eaten throughout Finland, with a rye – or in this case oat – crust and rice filling.
The packaging solution aims to reduce the use of fossil-based materials and to improve recyclability. The package also safeguards the taste and food safety of the Fazer Oat Rice Pies until their best-before date.
Fazer’s rice pasties are sold refrigerated; traditionally for such products plastic or paper-plastic laminates are used in packaging as they can withstand moisture and grease. Until now, the plastic laminate in the package was also needed as Fazer’s flowpack machine uses heat to seal the rice pie packaging.
“Piloting the Fazer Oat Rice Pies into fully fibre-based and heat-sealable packaging is a pioneering packaging solution for fresh foods, even on a global scale” highlights Heli Borgström, Sales Director at UPM Specialty Papers. “Fazer and UPM have worked for over two years on developing this fibre-based packaging solution that not only meets the requirements for sustainability, but also protects the Fazer Oat Rice Pies and works on Fazer’s existing flowpack packaging line”.
The paper-based pilot packaging solution is based on the UPM ConfidioTM barrier paper. Made from renewable fibres, UPM Confidio is repulpable and designed to be recycled in existing fibre recycling streams. Unlike traditional plastic-coated papers, the paper can be sent directly from the paper mill to the printer, before being packaged – avoiding the additional conversion step of adding a layer of plastic lamination.
