Purpose
Packaging is a major source of carbon emissions and waste generation across the food industry. ABP recognised the importance of shifting to more efficient, circular packaging systems, and applied these principles to a redesign of its mince packaging.
Action
Following extensive development work, ABP launched Flex Mince – a vacuum-sealed, lightweight packaging format for minced beef. The packaging uses significantly less plastic than traditional plastic trays, while maintaining food safety and product integrity.
At the same time, we conducted consumer acceptance trials to ensure the new format was easy to handle, open, store at home and recycle. The result is a pack that cuts plastic use without any compromise on quality.
Impact
The flexible film format of Flex Mince has helped both ABP and retail partners meet their material reduction targets. By reducing plastic use at the source, the new design helps lower associated carbon emissions linked to packaging manufacture, transport, and recycling.
The reduced pack size also increases the number of units that can fit on to shelves, trays and pallets – reducing emissions associated with transport and improving operational efficiency across the supply chain.
Looking ahead, the success of Flex Mince provides a blueprint for future packaging innovation across other categories. It demonstrates how material reduction can be achieved without compromising food safety, quality, or consumer expectations.