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Huhtamaki has unveiled ProDairy, a recyclable single coated paper cup for yogurt and other dairy products.

The packaging, which is fully recyclable in Europe, is designed to cut plastic content to below 10% while maintaining performance standards.

According to Huhtamaki, the company developed ProDairy to address consumer demand for reduced plastic in packaging.

Fredrik Davidsson, president of Fibre Foodservice Europe-Asia-Oceania at Huhtamaki, said: "Dairy products are an important part of our daily life and creating recyclable packaging for something as important as your morning yogurt has been a challenge, especially while maintaining the high-performance standards required for dairy products".

He continued: "Our solution is highly functional in terms of product performance and barrier properties, and it is a cost-efficient solution which meets customer and consumer expectations regarding our innovation in food packaging. These recyclable single coated paper cups help our customers address consumer demands for reduced plastic in packaging." 

"Our team has identified a varnish to replace the outer polyethylene layer which maintains a paper-like feel with a matt finish and provides a high moisture barrier for products stored in chilled conditions. This is important for manufacturers, retailers and consumers, ensuring that our unique product delivers the functional performance of traditional paper cups with a lower plastic content, while still being fully recyclable."

ProDairy is produced in Europe using paperboard from renewable wood fibres sourced from sustainably managed forests and is now available for commercial use.