Paperboard adds value to cherry tomato packaging in a recent study
Metsä Board Corporation press release 31.01.2019
Together with Närpes Grönsaker, a Finnish vegetable co-operative, Metsä Board, part of Metsä Group, commissioned a study that compared cherry tomato cartons made of paperboard with the currently used plastic box. The study specifically looked at consumer perceptions, food waste aspects and climate impact. The results showed that consumers regard paperboard as a more responsible choice than plastic packaging and that this perceived value translated into a willingness to pay more for it. The study also demonstrated that the paperboard cartons preserved the cherry tomatoes at least as well as the plastic equivalent.
As part of the research a detailed consumer study was carried out in Finland with an external consumer research company, Sense N Insight. Paperboard was perceived as convenient, innovative, aesthetically pleasing and responsible with a high-status value which added to the quality image of the product. Most of the participants stated that they would prefer paperboard because of its recyclability but commented that they wanted to see the product better. Based upon the overall findings, the participants were willing to pay more for the paperboard carton than the plastic box, which demonstrates that consumers are now actively looking for alternatives to plastic.
The other part of the study was to find out more about the shelf-life and climate effect of growing cherry tomatoes. The product itself is valuable and it is critical that nothing goes to waste. The Natural Resources Institute of Finland researched the shelf-life of cherry tomatoes packed in cartons made of different Metsä Board paperboard grades and in a plastic box made of recycled PET. According to the results cherry tomatoes were preserved at least as well in paperboard cartons as in the plastic packaging.
The research also measured the climate effect of a recycled PET container which was calculated at six times higher than the average value for the paperboard cartons. This part of the research was based upon production and transportation data and additional paperboard production data supplied by Metsä Board.
As for all food packaging the actual total climate effect of the box of cherry tomatoes was very small. The majority of the impact comes from the packed food and therefore it is of utmost importance to avoid food waste and to ensure that the food will be consumed, and nothing goes to waste.
For further information, please contact:
Leena Yliniemi, Technical Marketing Director, Metsä Board
Mobile: +358 (0)50 598 9036
E-mail: leena.yliniemi@metsagroup.com
Marjo Halonen, VP Communications, Metsä Board
Mobile: +358 (0)50 598 7046
E-mail: marjo.halonen@metsagroup.com
Metsä Board
www.metsaboard.com
Metsä Board is a leading European producer of premium fresh fibre paperboards including folding boxboards, food service boards and white kraftliners. Our lightweight paperboards are developed to provide better, safer and more sustainable solutions for consumer goods as well as retail-ready and food service applications. We work together with our customers on a global scale to innovate solutions for better consumer experiences with less environmental impact. The pure fresh fibres Metsä Board uses are a renewable resource, traceable to origin in sustainably managed northern forests.
The global sales network of Metsä Board supports customers worldwide, including brand owners, retailers, converters and merchants. In 2017, the company’s sales totalled EUR 1.8 billion, and it has approximately 2,350 employees. Metsä Board, part of Metsä Group, is listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki.
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Metsä Group
www.metsagroup.com
Metsä Group is a forerunner in bioeconomy utilising renewable wood from sustainably managed northern forests. Metsä Group focuses on wood supply and forest services, wood products, pulp, fresh fibre paperboards and tissue and cooking papers.
Metsä Group’s sales totalled EUR 5.0 billion in 2017, and it employs approximately 9,100 people. The Group operates in nearly 30 countries. Metsäliitto Cooperative is the parent company of Metsä Group and owned by approximately 104,000 Finnish forest owners.
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