Responding to demands from retailers for more presentable and efficient methods of replenishing stock, Linpac Packaging (Knottingley, West Yorkshire / UK; www.linpacpackaging.com) has developed a range of rigid plastic, retail-ready packaging (RRP). RRP improves the appearance of merchandise on the retail shelf through the use of self-contained display boxes or trays. The Linpac products are made from PET and can contain up to 90% recycled polymer, depending on the customer’s clarity requirements. Benefits of RRP include improved efficiency in terms of shelf space and the time taken to re-stock shelves, plus brand enhancement and shelf-appeal. It should also create less damage to food whilst in the warehouse or on display.

Joanna Stephenson, vice president of innovation, Linpac Packaging, says the concept of RRP is already quite well established in northern Europe and is starting to take off elsewhere, too. “Our range of RRP has been developed to help retailers run their stores with greater ease and efficiency,” said Stephenson. “We have listened to and responded to our customers who were looking for a more robust, high quality alternative to corrugated or folding cartons – which do not work well in moist or chilled environments.”

According to statistics from Smithers PIRA (Leatherhead / UK; www.smitherspira.com), global demand for RRP is predicted to grow by more than 40% by 2016, up from 19m t in 2010 to 27m t in 2016. The market is dominated currently by corrugated board, which has a 75% share. Plastic has a 24% stake but is fast-growing. Stephenson believes RRP is the future of retail storage, display and transport. Rigid plastic RRP, she adds, has a greater level of flexibility than cardboard, provides better impact absorption and, overall, is a more structurally sound package.