Discover the Benefits of Skin Packaging in the Food Industry
In today’s competitive market, finding innovative packaging solutions is essential to extend product shelf life and optimize production processes. One solution is skin packaging, a technique that offers significant advantages, especially in times when finding suitable personnel is a challenge. In this blog, we discuss what skin packaging is and what benefits it offers, as well as how it is applied in practice.
What is Skin Packaging in the Food Industry?
Skin packaging solutions for fresh foods are packaging methods in which a food product is placed on a cardboard or plastic tray and then covered with a thin, transparent film.
This film is formed tightly around the product and packaging by vacuum and heat. This results in a sturdy and durable package that protects the product and extends its shelf life.
The Benefits of Skin Packaging
Shelf Life
One of the biggest advantages of this food packaging is the extended shelf life of products. Skin packaging reduces exposure to oxygen, moisture, and other external factors that can affect product quality. As a result, the food product stays fresh longer. For example, for red meat, a shelf life of up to 28 days is obtained.
Production Planning
Extended product shelf life offers companies greater flexibility in their production planning. With extended shelf life dates, production and delivery schedules can be set up more broadly. This means companies have less stringent deadlines to meet and can better respond to fluctuations in demand.
Staff Shortages
In the current labor market, finding sufficient and qualified personnel is a challenge. The extended shelf life of products through skin packaging allows companies to better stagger and optimize their production processes. This gives more leeway in scheduling staff, reducing the pressure to deliver quickly. Companies can better anticipate personnel changes and peak times, resulting in more efficient use of available labor.
Cost Reduction
Vacuum packaging can also contribute to cost savings. Because food products have a longer shelf life, there is less chance of waste and less need to discard products. In addition, more efficient production and planning processes allow companies to reduce operational costs.
Product Presentation
In addition to the logistical advantages, skin packaging for food also offers aesthetic and protective benefits. The film around the product makes products highly visible, which is attractive to consumers. The skin technique can be combined with a cardboard board, as with the SlimFresh®, on which your marketing story can be printed while the product remains visible. Another possibility is the Paper2Skin®, where the skin packaging technique is combined with a cardboard-based film and windows can be created using laser technology.
Food Waste
Another significant benefit of this sustainable food packaging is the reduction of waste. Freshness is prolonged, significantly reducing the risk of spoilage. This means less waste and more efficient use of raw materials, which not only saves costs but also contributes to more sustainable operations. Reduced waste results in a lower carbon footprint, which matches the growing demand for environmentally friendly and responsible business practices. As a result, companies can not only improve their operational efficiency but also increase their sustainability.
Greenflex's Skin Packaging Solutions for Fresh Foods in Practice
At Greenflex, we offer the ability to skin pack a wide variety of fresh foods. Specifically, it is not just about cheese, meat, fish and seafood but also more complex foods such as vongole, gnocci or even complete meals.
In addition, we provide different options of skin packaging solutions. Both plastic packaging such as the Plastic Skin Tray and sustainable cardboard packaging such as SlimFresh®. More information for each type of skin packaging solution can be found below:
The Plastic Skin Tray is a quality food packaging possible in PET (infinitely recyclable and high barrier), PE/PP (conforming to highest food safety standards); transparent or black.
Paper2Skin® consists first of all of a cardboard and liner in which, based on the latest technology, the top film is paper-based, opening up endless marketing possibilities. It is easy to open (easy-open corner) and recycle (easy-split corner) by the consumer, in addition, despite the narrow skin packaging, slices can be easily taken out by the consumer and it is the first user-friendly packaging for salmon and similar food products.
PaperSeal® Skin is a cardboard packaging for food and consists of a cardboard tray and a liner that is formed together based on heat and can also be easily separated by the consumer. This tray is finished with a top film that acts as a second skin around the food product.
SlimFresh® is a sustainable packaging and consists of a cardboard and liner combined with a top film that contains an easy-open corner so consumers can easily open the packaging and, if desired, an easy-split corner so they can easily separate the cardboard from the plastic. For more information please refer to our blog.
In practice, we work together with your machine constructor to ensure a good seal and, if required, perform a test of your product. In this way, we always strive for the best results and the highest quality, avoiding problems afterward. We also continue to follow up with the customer after the sale, thereby providing excellent service.
Book an appointment so we can discuss options together.
Conclusion
Vacuum skin packaging offers numerous benefits beyond simply extending product shelf life. It allows companies to plan production processes more efficiently, better manage staff shortages and reduce operational costs. At a time when the labor market is tight, this packaging method is ideal to provide the flexibility and security needed to meet consumer demand. By investing in innovative solutions such as skin packaging, food companies can strengthen their competitive position and operate more sustainably.
Want to learn more about how skin packaging can help your business? Contact our experts for a consultation.
