These days, more and more skin packs are conquering the retail shelves around the world. The advantages of the skin packaging system are obvious: securely sealed under deep vacuum, food products have a significantly longer shelf life and can be presented in a much more attractive way. By launching FlatSkin, SEALPAC now offers a revolutionary solution that combines the sought-after skin packaging process with a plastic reduction of up to 75%. Danish seafood processor Vega Salmon A/S is one of the early adopters of the FlatSkin packaging system for its hot-smoked salmon products.

True innovation and optical highlight
SEALPAC’s recently developed FlatSkin system combines an attractive product presentation and extended shelf life with a highly sustainable use of packaging materials. Instead of common plastic skin trays, the FlatSkin system uses cardboard carriers that allow for double-sided printing, hence offering optimal space for product information whilst providing unique branding opportunities. Some manufacturers may even dispose of their traditional cardboard sleeve.

A highly transparent barrier skin film fixates the product directly onto the flat cardboard carrier, which has been coated with a polymeric protective layer. This layer provides stability to the cardboard and forms a reliable barrier against grease, moisture and oxygen. FlatSkin packs are perfectly suited to vertical presentation (e.g. hanging or standing), making them true eye-catchers at retail. In addition, the tight-fitting skin film provides an attractive 3D effect that highlights the content to the fullest.

Renewable materials, separate disposal
The FlatSkin system uses cardboard carriers made from bleached or unbleached fiber, which can be printed on both sides by means of low-migration printing inks and varnishes. After taking out the product, the thin polymeric layer is easily removed from the cardboard to allow for separate disposal. As such, the FlatSkin system achieves a plastic reduction of up to 75%, hence providing an answer to the food industry’s increasing demand for sustainability. FlatSkin is suitable for a wide range of product segments, such as fresh meat, cheese, poultry and seafood.

Early adopter in Denmark
Renowned Danish seafood processor Vega Salmon A/S (www.vega-salmon.dk), with its head office in Kolding, is one of the first users of the FlatSkin packaging system for its hot-smoked salmon products, which it supplies under different brand names to various retailers. The products are manufactured on a SEALPAC A10 traysealer with 8-impression tooling for cardboard carriers measuring 260 x 130 mm. Each carrier has a double-sided print and hanger hole, which, combined with SEALPAC’s unique OnTrayCut system, allow for an attractive vertical presentation at retail.

For more information, visit www.sealpacinternational.com.