AUSTRIA – Packaging manufacturer Coveris has collaborated with Notpla, a provider of natural packaging solutions, to produce new cardboard takeaway boxes for a major sporting event.

The new takeaway boxes will debut at the Open ATP 500 tennis competition in Vienna, Austria from October 23rd to 29th, 2023.

These boxes feature Notpla’s seaweed-based barrier coating material and plant extracts as an eco-friendly alternative to plastic.

The coating is applied to boards that are certified as sustainably sourced, providing resistance to grease and water. The boxes are recyclable. Alternatively, if placed in alternative waste streams, the coating naturally breaks down in 4-6 weeks at the end of its life.

Coveris said its collaboration with Notpla aligns with its ‘No Waste’ vision, launched by the group’s leadership team based in Vienna.

Notpla’s packaging for this tournament is being rolled out in collaboration with Lieferando, an online food and delivery brand that is part of Just Eat Takeaway.

Throughout the week-long tournament, the packaging will be available through the Lieferando app.

Notpla co-founder and co-CEO Pierre Paslier said: “Providing our plastic-free takeaway boxes at Erste Bank Vienna Open ATP tennis competition, is a big win for the company, making the match day experiences more sustainable for both the supporters and the vendors.”

Coveris Food-on-the-Move sales director Paul Robertson added: “With aligning sustainability goals, we are very proud to continue our work with Notpla as their print and packaging partner for takeaway boxes.

“It is exciting to see the growth of Notpla internationally as they persistently tackle the issue of packaging waste in the food-to-go and foodservice industries. This aligns with Coveris’ sustainability vision, No Waste.”

In a previous partnership, Notpla collaborated with Just Eat, PepsiCo, Heineken, and Vytal to showcase its packaging at the UEFA Women’s Champion League finals in Eindhoven. The goal was to replace over 20,000 units of plastic with their innovative solution during this single event.

The initiative was part of Just Eat’s broader strategy to find innovative solutions for reducing single-use plastic packaging, including the utilization of reusable materials.

Just Eat has worked with Notpla since 2018, which has seen the rollout of Notpla’s seaweed-lined takeaway box across eight European markets.