Purpose
Multi layer laminates – combinations of plastic and aluminium – have traditionally been used to protect the high moisture content of wet petfood. However, these laminates are not widely recyclable through kerbside systems, often resulting in disposal through general waste streams. Transitioning to recycle ready pouches was identified as a strategic priority for C&D Foods, the leading petfood division within the ABP Food Group.
Action
C&D Foods embarked on a multi year development programme to explore alternatives to traditional laminated pouches. Polyethylene based mono material pouches emerged as the most promising solution due to their compatibility with recycling infrastructure and ability to meet stringent performance requirements of petfood packaging.
The transition to a recycle ready format, while maintaining product quality, required close technical refinement and ongoing collaboration with C&D Foods’ supply chain partners. Several rounds of pilot trials were conducted to ensure the new materials could withstand cooking processes, preserve freshness, and maintain structural integrity.
Retail partners were also engaged early in the process to ensure an aligned approach to design, recyclability claims and communication strategies to consumers. At the same time, operational adjustments took place across C&D Foods production sites to ensure the equipment was compatible with the new pouch format.
Impact
The introduction of recycle ready pouches has been a significant step forward in reducing the environmental impact of C&D Foods’ packaging portfolio.
The move contributes directly to ABP’s wider sustainability commitments, while helping retail customers meet their own targets. Not only are the mono material pouches more widely recyclable than their aluminium based counterparts, but they can be manufactured with lower energy requirements.
Finally, the pouches help to alleviate concerns from pet owners, who are increasingly conscious of packaging sustainability. The environmental benefits are already clear to see – but will only increase as adoption scales and kerbside recycling infrastructure evolves.