South African packaging manufacturer Mondi (Johannesburg; www.mondigroup.com) has launched its “RetortPouch Recyclable” high-barrier pouch that expands the company’s range of sustainable packaging solutions for premium food and wet pet food. The new product is to replace complex multi-layer and non-recyclable packaging for these items.

Moist or semi-moist foods that are heat-treated in steam or hot water retort vessels to achieve commercial sterilisation for shelf-stable foods require retort packaging. The aluminium typically used in most solutions has been substituted with an innovative high-barrier film that keeps temperatures high and maintains short processing times during the retort process. The new mono-material retort packaging is said to be fully recyclable, protects the product, provides exceptional shelf life for a mono-material solution and reduces potential food waste.

Mondi noted that it spent over two years researching and testing this product. The company said it aims to make all its products reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025.