The latest news, trends, analysis, interviews and podcasts from the global food and beverage industry

Fresh!Packing and Mondi have collaborated to create a new recyclable consumer cooler bag, called Fresh!Bag. Fresh!Bag is made from renewable materials that provide protective cooling properties, “offering consumers a durable cooler bag to carry chilled or frozen food at home”. The bag’s outer layer is made from Mondi’s durable kraft paper which encases its cooling element that is created using pulp. The paper has a high stretchability which allows for easy sewing of the different plies, creating a stronger bag structure that has a high resistance to tearing and can carry large weights and sizes. The bags can be reused multiple times and “provide retailers with good printability for branding and messaging.” Alexander Baars, international sales manager of speciality kraft paper at Mondi, said: “Fresh!Bag provides a genuinely exciting opportunity for retailers; it responds to the consumer demand for more sustainable packaging while delivering convenience and durability for frozen and chilled goods”. Kevin Hendzlik, general manager and Fresh!Bag product manager at Fresh!Packing, commented: “Mondi trusted in our idea and brought a wealth of additional expertise to the table. While developing Fresh!Bag, the team was able to easily identify the right opportunities and advise us throughout the process, helping us to achieve our sustainability goals of avoiding plastic waste and using material that contributes to a circular economy.”