Norwegian food manufacturer Fjordland has collaborated with Swiss packaging development company Comvince to create new ConviTray, a PVC and EPOXY-free ready meal packaging tray.
The new aluminium tray will be used for the company's new 'Ovnsklar' premium ready meals range, which is scheduled for launch in Norway next month. Fjordland will initially roll out Salmon Fillet and Lasagne with further products planned for later this year.
ConviTray incorporates a specially designed layer for a tight seal, providing a heat-stable container, an easy-peel transparent lid.
It is claimed to allow in-container steam process for extended shelf-life of products and can be heated to temperatures of 220°-240°C in conventional ovens.
The project is being backed by food packaging firm Nicholl Food Packaging, which will provide technical and design assistance from the early stages and plans to take full-scale production of trays at its site in the UK.
Comvince owner and packaging specialist Jörg P Weltert said, "That ConviTray® can withstand temperatures up to 240°C and can be pasteurized for longer shelf-life make it a real innovation for ready meal production.
"With up to four weeks shelf-life for fresh products, ConviTray® brings superior cost efficiencies within the cold chain."
