kp Elite Nova wins two Recoup awards

Klöckner Pentaplast (kp) has received two Recoup awards for kp Elite Nova, its patented lightweight mono-PET tray for food packaging. The product was recognised as Recycled Plastic Product of the Year and in the Best Plastic Product Development for Recyclability or Re-Use category. It was developed to help food producers reduce material consumption, increase recycled content and improve packaging recyclability while retaining the performance required in modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) applications. According to the company, the tray combines a lightweight structure, the potential to use high levels of recycled material and compatibility with existing PET recycling infrastructure.

The Recoup awards, presented on 30 September, recognise innovation and best practice in plastics resource efficiency, recycling and sustainability.

Cecilia Guardado, Marketing & Innovation Director Trays at kp, said: "We're delighted that kp Elite Nova has been recognised by Recoup. These awards reflect the work of our teams to develop packaging solutions that help customers meet their sustainability objectives while maintaining the performance standards for modern food packaging applications."

"The development of kp Elite Nova focused on a clear challenge: reducing material use, increasing recycled content and improving recyclability without compromise. By combining advanced engineering with a mono PET design, we've created a solution that supports more circular material flows and helps customers respond to evolving regulatory requirements and sustainability goals."

Recycled content and lower tray weight

kp Elite Nova can contain up to 100% post-consumer recycled PET. The tray has also been independently endorsed by Petcore's Tray Circularity Evaluation Platform (TCEP) as compatible with existing PET tray recycling systems.

According to kp, the product is approximately 10% lighter than comparable MAP trays. The reduction in weight is intended to lower material consumption while maintaining seal integrity, rigidity and shelf-life performance in chilled and frozen food applications.

The company states that the product supports the use of post-consumer recycled content and design for recyclability. These characteristics are intended to help customers respond to changing regulatory requirements and meet their Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) objectives.