What began as a collaborative project between Ardagh Group and a talented group of students at the University of Twente in the Netherlands has now been adopted by a leading international food manufacturer, after dairy producer Emmi launched a unique microwaveable fondue bowl.
Ardagh originally challenged the students on the packaging design course to create a futuristic ready-to-heat premium metal packaging concept for food and seafood. One of their designs was a cheese fondue bowl, which was presented to Emmi. In close cooporation with DeDutch, a food packaging and engineering consultant, Ardagh further developed the concept to meet Emmi’s requirements.
The product has since been launched at high-end supermarkets in the US, Canada and the Netherlands.
Ardagh Group chief commercial officer, metal Woep Möller said: “We developed this exclusive microwaveable shaped bowl at our R&D centre in Crosmieres, France, with our innovative prototyping and design techniques and utilising our extensive knowledge and experience in lacquering and printing performance.
“Together with Emmi and the Fraunhofer Institute in Germany, we tested special food safe lacquers to allow the bowl to be heated either in a microwave or a traditional oven, and to be kept at the right temperature above a candle at the table. We added our patented printed Easy Peel aluminium opening solution that gives the consumer an easy and quicker means of opening the bowl.”
The business case for Emmi was clear. Marcel Zbinden, global category head speciality cheese, added: “Convenience and quick preparation have become a more important trend. This concept has it all, and it will delight fondue lovers worldwide. The All In One Fondü, with a metal bowl and ready-to-eat cheese fondue made of real Swiss cheeses, has simplified the preparation of this popular dish and is a perfect combination for a quick, easy and delicious cheese fondue at any time.”
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