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

Melodea has unveiled MeloPack, a fully recyclable flexible packaging solution designed to help food manufacturers transition away from multi-layer laminates ahead of the EU's Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) requirements.

The new solution combines Melodea's proprietary barrier-coating technology with mono-material film structures to deliver high- and ultra-high-barrier performance while remaining compatible with existing packaging lines, eliminating the need for capital investment or production downtime.

According to the company, MeloPack enables food brands to move from packaging specification to production-ready printed rollstock within 30 days. The packaging is certified for direct food contact under EU EC 10/2011, US FDA and Germany's BfR standards, and is designed to meet forthcoming PPWR recyclability requirements.

Dr Shaul Lapidot, CEO of Melodea, said: "Customers are ready for a complete packaging solution, but not at the cost of certifications, barrier performance, or partial recyclability. We have brought that solution to market at a price competitive with the non-recyclable formats brands are running today. PPWR is here. We are ready."

MeloPack is available in three transparent mono-material structures: BOPP + MelOx-NGen + PP, PE + MelOx-NGen, and Bio-PE + MelOx-NGen. The films are engineered to provide high oxygen and water vapour barrier properties for demanding food applications while maintaining recyclability.

The launch comes as food manufacturers prepare for new European packaging legislation. From 12 August 2026, Regulation (EU) 2025/40 requires packaging placed on the European market to be accompanied by a Declaration of Conformity for each SKU, while increasing pressure on brands to replace difficult-to-recycle multi-material packaging with recyclable alternatives. Melodea says MeloPack has been developed specifically to address these requirements.

The solution is available from €6/kg, which the company says is competitive with conventional multi-material laminates. Printed rollstock can be supplied in 30 days, with film thicknesses ranging from 40 to 200 microns and flexographic printing available in up to eight colours. Each batch is supplied with a Technical Data Sheet and Certificate of Analysis.