Choose the best option for minced meat packaging
Minced meat is a highly popular food product among consumers. Its outstanding versatility makes it suitable for preparing countless dishes such as hamburgers, meatballs, lasagne, stuffing, etc.
As a culinary product, it can be found in most countries in a variety of formats and presented in different ways, and as it is cheaper than other cuts of meat, it is very popular. As a result, minced meat is a widely available retail product: from small butchers to large supermarket chains.
It is in this area where ULMA Packaging, throughout its extensive experience in the fresh product packaging sector, has developed various options that cater for the specific characteristics of minced meat.
A PRODUCT WITH VERY SPECIFIC CHARACTERISTICS
Like any fresh product, it requires packaging that ensures that all of its properties are properly preserved until it is ready to be consumed. Packaging that maintains food safety above all else while also being functional, affordable and sustainable.
It should be noted that minced meat is a delicate product that needs to be preserved at temperatures and in environmental conditions that prevent the growth of bacteria.
Among ULMA's wide range of packaging solutions, there is packaging that maximises the shelf life of the product, sustainable packaging that minimises the use of plastic, and even packaging that provides optimal mechanical protection.
PRODUCT PRESERVATION IN INCREASINGLY SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING
Product preservation is a key issue in today's food industry, and more and more producers are making the shift towards sustainable packaging.
Recognising the importance of this relationship, through its WeCare project, ULMA Packaging is encouraging the adoption of packaging that not only protects the product, but is also environmentally friendly. Sustainable packaging plays a key role in preserving products by providing adequate protection without jeopardising natural resources or harming the environment.
The current trends in sustainable packaging focus on minimising the use of packaging material by eliminating elements such as trays or even using thinner films.
All of these solutions show that effective product preservation and reducing food waste go hand in hand with environmentally friendly practices.
PACKAGING OPTIONS
Following on from the above, ULMA is a world leader in the wide range of solutions it offers for minced meat packaging.
These include the following technologies and solutions, whose main features and benefits are listed below.
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Trayless flow pack packaging with a protective atmosphere (MAP)
The trayless minced meat application is one of ULMA Packaging's most sustainable packaging solutions for blocks of minced meat. It features flow pack packaging with a protective atmosphere (MAP) without the rigid plastic tray commonly used in this type of solution.
Benefits of the solution
- Up to 70% less plastic compared to plastic tray packaging.
- 100% recyclable packaging using mono-material barrier films.
- Lower CO2 emissions: 80% less space needed to transport raw materials (trays and film).
- Lower CO2 emissions: 30% less space needed for transportation to stores compared to plastic tray packaging.
- As with other MAP packs, a long product shelf life.
- Reduction of packaging, logistics and storage costs, both in distribution and packaging materials.
More information on this solution can be found at Hygienic and safe packaging for minced meat with a minimal environmental impact
Success stories such as that of the German company Feneberg vouch for this solution, where the drive for sustainability and ensuring safe packaging are key factors.
More information about this packaging option can be found in the following video:
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Vacuum thermoforming packaging
Vacuum packaging can almost double the shelf life of minced meat compared to packaging with a protective atmosphere (MAP).
Also, as it does not require very thick films, its uses far less plastic.
And when the plastic film in the packaging is replaced by a paper fibre-based material, the use of plastic is reduced to a minimum.
ULMA has developed additional features for this type of packaging, such as the "pocket" flap to open and close the pack as many times as necessary to consume the product in the desired portions.
Benefits of the solution
- Maximises the shelf life of the product.
- Significantly reduces the use of plastic packaging material with thin films.
- Maximum reduction in plastic in the version that replaces the film cover with paper. -
Traysealing packaging with a protective atmosphere (MAP)
This is one of the most widespread technologies for minced meat where high mechanical protection is key, while also providing a long shelf life to preserve the freshness of the product until the pack is opened.
Benefits of the solution
- Outstanding mechanical protection
- Long product shelf life -
Rigid thermoforming packaging with a protective atmosphere (MAP)
This technology is almost identical to the one above in terms of the resulting packaging, but it does not require pre-made trays; instead, the thermoforming machine itself is capable of making the trays that will contain the product and subsequently be sealed, using a second reel.
Benefits of the solution
- Outstanding mechanical protection
- Long product shelf life
REDUCING PRODUCTION COSTS
Process automation is essential in reducing the production costs for a product whose selling price is limited by its narrow margin.
Therefore, in addition to all the packaging options mentioned above, through its ULMA Packaging Automation division, ULMA offers its customers various automation options ranging from product loading and the packing of containers, to final palletising.
It has proprietary automatic systems for loading products into trays or into the packaging machine itself and a range of robotic case packers that increase the efficiency of the lines by minimising downtime.
CONTACT US FOR MORE INFORMATION
If you would like more information about any of these solutions and help in choosing the right technology for you, please do not hesitate to contact our specialists using the contact form at the bottom of this page.
