EUROPE – European takeaway salad bar company Picadeli has begun using a formed-fiber lid for its takeaway packaging as part of its sustainability efforts.

Made in partnership with Finnish pulp and paper manufacturer Stora Enso, the lid does not contain any perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

It is part of PureFiber by Stora Enso, a new range of formed-fiber products that are recyclable and compostable.

Stora Enso product Manager Yujia Zhang said: “These types of lids only existed for drinking cups but not in bigger sizes. We had to develop a brand-new product that no one had done before.”

Picadeli will replace 10 million single-use plastic lids with formed-fiber lids, diverting around 120 tonnes of plastic waste a year. The new lid is renewable, recyclable and biodegradable.

PureFiber products are also claimed to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by around 75% compared with alternative packaging materials such as plastic or bagasse.

They can be used in a wide range of applications including single-use food packaging items such as plastic-free cups, bowls, clamshells, plates, and lids.

In addition, PureFiber can also be used to replace plastic packaging for other industries, such as agriculture, electronics, and cosmetics.

Picadeli Food Concept Developer Christine Soome said: “We searched for a paper-based lid and started to discuss possibilities with Stora Enso.

“They introduced us to formed fiber, which sounded great, but what would our customers think? As they won’t be able to see the salad through this type of non-transparent lid.

“We’ve been close partners in all steps which is a big part of the success, it’s not been a customer/supplier relationship but cooperation between our companies. It has been great fun and very rewarding.”

Picadeli’s move to introduce formed fiber lids is part of its commitment to halving its plastic usage by 2025.

The company previously replaced its plastic bowls with cardboard bowls. It currently operates 2,300 salad bars throughout Europe and the US.

Meanwhile, the Finnish pulp and paper manufacturer Stora Enso has begun a feasibility study to build a formed fiber plant in Hylte, Sweden.

The new plant would mainly produce PureFibe with the potential to replace some 35 000 tonnes of CO2 annually.

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