German packaging manufacturer Pro-Pac Ostendorf Plastic (Vechta; www.pro-pac.de) says it has introduced the first polypropylene mono-MAP tray for juicy poultry and meat products that does not require an adsorbent pad. With the “Padless Pro”, the function of the adsorbent pad is filled by a thin, perforated PP separating film that guides escaping meat juice to the bottom of the tray to prevent permanent contact with the product, according to the manufacturer. The tray’s bottom, in turn, consists of a large number of recesses designed to safely hold the liquid. The tray can be sealed with standard PP film lids, the supplier noted.

“We did not invent this product, but we made it suitable for the market,” said CEO Matthias Bünker, who told Plasteurope.com that the development of the new tray was accompanied by investments in the lower seven-figure euro range. In addition, Bünker said the tray would achieve significant CO₂ savings by using 50% internally recycled materials and reducing weight by 20% compared to traditional MAP trays.

Unlike other manufacturers, Pro-Pac does not add an integrated barrier layer such as EVOH to its tray, which is available in three sizes and can be used on existing packaging lines in the meat processing industry. The supplier explicitly states that this is pure mono PP. Pro-Pac added that it also develops and produces various other food packaging for fresh products from PP, PET and biodegradable PLA under DIN EN 13432.