Breaking the Barrier: Mono-Material Innovation in Fresh Cheese Packaging
Market Background
The fresh cheese market, particularly for regional specialities like Stracchino, is characterised by strong consumer demand for high-quality, fresh products with a natural image. Stracchino, a soft, creamy Italian cheese with a short shelf-life, traditionally relies on packaging that ensures optimal product protection against moisture loss and oxygen to maintain its delicate flavour and texture.
The Challenge
In recent years, the European food packaging landscape has been significantly influenced by growing consumer awareness of sustainability and tightening regulations, such as the EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). This has pressured producers to transition towards more recyclable packaging solutions without compromising food safety or shelf appeal. Multi-material laminates, while effective for product preservation, have increasingly become a target for replacement due to their poor recyclability.
The Solution
Taghleef Industries, together with EcoFlexibles, developed an innovative mono-material packaging solution designed for flow pack applications. This approach addresses the industry’s need for sustainable packaging while maintaining the critical barrier properties required for fresh cheese preservation.
The key innovation lies in transitioning from traditional multi-material structures to a polypropylene (PP)-based mono-material approach. This represents a significant departure from conventional packaging paradigms in the fresh cheese sector, where polyamide/polyethylene (PA/PE) combinations have been the standard due to their excellent barrier properties.
| Traditional Structure | Ti’s Proposal |
| PA15/PE30 | EXTENDO® XTHR20/ CPP 40 |
The mono-material PP construction offers several benefits:
- Enhanced Recyclability: Both layers are PP-based, enabling complete recyclability within existing PP waste streams
- Excellent Packaging Performance: Thanks to the improved heat resistance of EXTENDO® XTHR, it is suitable as an external layer of laminates
- Maintained Protection: Taghleef’s EXTENDO® XTHR provides high oxygen, aroma, flavour and mineral oil barriers.
- Regulatory Compliance: Meets emerging EU packaging regulations for recyclability
Conclusion
This case study demonstrates the successful transition from traditional multi-material packaging to sustainable mono-material solutions in the challenging fresh cheese market segment. The collaboration between Taghleef Industries and EcoFlexibles proves that environmental responsibility and product performance are not mutually exclusive. By maintaining critical barrier properties while achieving full recyclability, this innovation sets a new standard for the industry.
