SPAR Austria slashes meat packaging by 70% in PPWR-driven pilot, saving 14T of plastic

AUSTRIA – SPAR Austria has replaced its traditional tray-and-lid meat packaging with a CRYOVAC MonoPP Flowpack solution that uses 70% less plastic by weight, saving 14 tonnes of plastic annually while cutting CO₂ emissions by roughly 70%.

The packaging pilot, conducted at SPAR Austria’s TANN facility in Marchtrenk in direct response to the upcoming EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), achieved 44 packs per minute with no increase in waste or reject rates. 

The new format, based on CRYOVAC’s MonoPP Flowpack design, matches the previous solution’s barrier performance and maintains identical shelf-life for meat products. 

The PPWR, published in February 2025 and taking effect from 12 August 2026, mandates packaging reduction targets, recyclability requirements, and binding recycled content quotas across all EU member states.

How 70% Less Plastic Delivers 176 Fewer Pallets Per Year

The operational benefits extend beyond environmental gains. 

The lighter packaging format means warehouse operations now require 176 fewer pallets annually, reducing storage footprint and logistics costs. 

Markus Zavec, Sales Director for Austria, Germany and Switzerland at Sealed Air (CRYOVAC’s parent company), said that SPAR Austria’s conventional tray-and-lid system had been linked to escalating environmental, operational and financial costs. 

He explained that the packaging had consumed substantial material, required intense warehouse operations, and complicated recycling pathways. Zavec described the pilot as a decisive and early move to address these challenges.

Consumer Response Shows Two-Thirds Shoppers Approve the Switch

Beyond the measurable plastic and carbon reductions, the new packaging has delivered brand benefits for SPAR Austria. 

According to Zavec, two-thirds of shoppers responded positively to the new format, appreciating the product visibility and ease of opening that the CRYOVAC solution provides.

The MonoPP Flowpack is certified as recyclable by the Cyclos-HTP Institute and can integrate with existing recycling infrastructure in countries with established polypropylene recycling streams. 

In contrast, multi-layer flexible packaging has historically seen only about 5 percent recycling rates across Europe, with mono-materials being prioritized under CEFLEX design guidelines and major retailer pledges from Tesco, Carrefour, Unilever, Nestlé and Mars.

What the PPWR Means for European Meat Packaging

The PPWR introduces binding packaging reduction targets, with EU member states required to minimize packaging weight and volume while eliminating unnecessary packaging components. 

Single-use plastic packaging restrictions will apply to pre-packed fresh fruit and vegetables under 1.5 kilograms, among other categories. SPAR Austria is currently conducting further experimentation with the aim of rolling the new solution out to other TANN plants and SPAR sites across Europe. 

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