Cellulose-based meat packaging is cost-effective

Compostable meat packaging, said to tackle the problem of product discolouration, while also being cost-competitive, will be on supermarket shelves this summer, says supplier Sirane.

At least two major UK retailers are running "significant trials" of the company's Resolve material, formed from cellulose with a 10-micron polylactide (PLA) coating, says md Simon Balderson. "A combination of permeability and texture means the absorbent tray liner leaves the underside of the meat still beautifully red, even after a week or so in a modified atmosphere pack."

The next stage will be to combine these pads with a Resolve tray, die-cut from sheet and then heat-sealed along the seams.

Balderson claims the tray will be able to compete with traditional thermoformed packs on cost. "And because it only uses a PLA coating, it will be significantly cheaper than a full PLA tray," he says.