The beauty of hot food cubed

A new Scandinavian vending system, where chilled and frozen food can be microwaved to order, is using the resilience and insulating qualities of fibre to package its ready meals.

Swedish start-up company Corner recently launched the FoodCube in conjunction with KPA Engineering. Unlike existing hot food vending systems, this one not only stores both chilled and frozen meals, but it also has two on-board microwaves for faster service, explains co-founder of FoodCube Eilif Nilsson.

The company is standardising its menu around the SilviPak pulp tray from Rottneros. Nilsson says: "The pack is cheaper than the equivalent in plastics, and much more stable." In fact, as well as cellulose fibre, the pack uses a thin barrier film. According to the converter, this can be separated from the tray for recycling or composting.

The machine, with a footprint of half a square metre and capacity for just under 100 items, can serve up to four different dishes, including salads. If the Swedish launch is successful, expect to see the first FoodCubes in the UK in a couple of years time!