UniversalPack Consultores

Soluciones de envasado inteligente para la industria de la panadería
En los últimos años se han producido avances espectaculares en la industria de la panadería, especialmente en el ámbito de la maquinaria de proceso y de envasado, y el sector está inmerso en cambios técnicos y estructurales.
Los consumidores demandan envases más sostenibles, la escasez de mano de obra cualificada hace imprescindible la automatización y la eficiencia energética y de materiales se convierte cada vez más en un factor competitivo. Por ello, hoy en día las soluciones de envasado para pan, cruasanes, bollos de levadura, pasteles y productos similares deben ser, al mismo tiempo, ecológicas, económicas y tecnológicamente flexibles.
La sostenibilidad es un factor crucial y muchos fabricantes ya se están centrando en materiales reciclables, compostables o de origen biobasado, como soluciones basadas en papel, films de PLA o monomateriales. Por ejemplo, en la feria interpack el expositor Weber Verpackung presentará su Baker Bag para mostradores de autoservicio. Este envase de papel puede incorporar ventanas de visualización de film reciclado transparente muy fino o de papel transparente (glassine). Con una ventana de glassine, la bolsa puede desecharse fácilmente en el contenedor de papel para su reciclaje. No obstante, la protección del producto sigue siendo la máxima prioridad, para evitar que el pan o los pasteles se estropeen de forma prematura. Por ello, los sistemas de envasado innovadores deben combinar, ante todo, higiene y vida útil con sostenibilidad. Las funciones barrera que reducen el intercambio de v***r de agua y oxígeno —y mantienen el contenido fresco— son especialmente demandadas en bolsas para máquinas expendedoras destinadas al envasado automático de pan y productos de panadería. Actualmente, estas barreras solo pueden lograrse en envases de papel mediante recubrimientos plásticos, laminaciones de film o capas de recubrimiento con polímeros. Aun así, el contenido de plástico es significativamente menor que en una bolsa totalmente de film.

tube certified for conventional recycling
Neopac Group has stated that its PaperX FibreTop tube has been certified by the PTS Institute as technically recyclable in the conventional paper stream, meeting the requirements of the CEPI/4evergreen Recyclability Protocol 2025.
The company says the evaluation was conducted in accordance with the latest CEPI Recyclability Laboratory Test Method using a recycling mill with the conventional process, as well as the latest 4evergreen Fibre-based Packaging Recyclability Evaluation Protocol.
The tested tube consists of a paper laminate with an ultra-thin PE-EVOH inner coating and an outer dispersion layer. The evaluation showed that the entire tube - including its flat tube shoulder and paper-based closure - meets the minimum requirements for disintegration, sieve yield, optical purity and adhesive separation.
Neopac claims that the results show even a low-profile paper closure can achieve a sufficient proportion of recyclable paper, with further optimization potential for less extreme paper closure designs. It adds that the certification was carried out in accordance with the CEPI Annex for double-sided coated materials.
Packaging Europe.

M&S takes on ultra-processed foods with reduced ingredients on front labels
Credit: Marks & Spencer
Marks & Spencer is responding to backlash against ultra-processed foods and previous criticism of its on-label transparency by displaying its stripped-back ingredient lists on the front label of its packaging.
Last year, M&S faced accusations of misleading consumers via its own-brand product labels.
The Real Bread Campaign alleged that one of the retailer’s white bread products contained eleven ingredients, despite only disclosing four on its packaging; and that its sunflower and spelt loaf contained thirteen ingredients, rather than the six declared on-label.
Additionally, its own-brand flour reportedly stated that the product was made from “an ancient variety of wheat”, when it was actually derived from a modern variety of rye.
Complaints escalated to Trading Standards and the Advertising Standards Authority, leading the retailer to review its labelling practices.
“All our packaging is legally compliant and we continually work with our primary authority to ensure our labelling is clear for our customers,” an M&S spokesperson told The Telegraph last October.
Now M&S is doubling its Only Ingredients range. Each product in the lineup displays its stripped-back list of ingredients by weight on the front label – a move that, according to Dieline’s Bill McCool, could have been inspired by a previous rebrand from protein bar company RXBAR.
Additions to the lineup include sausages, chipolatas, beef burgers, and meatballs; condiments like mayonnaise and tomato ketchup; and additional products such as porridge, yoghurt, and baked beans.
“From tomato ketchup and olive oil mayonnaise to three-ingredient meatballs, sliced white toasting bread and bran flakes, we’ve worked hard to strip recipes right back while keeping the same familiar, comforting flavours you love,” comments Kathryn Turner, director of Product Development at M&S.