Briefs: First zipper for meat in Europe

SPIS Grilstad is using re-sealable Zip-Pak packaging for its deli meat products and its market share has risen from 18% to 75%. Zip-pak's re-sealable devices have already been used in the US but are new to Europe. A recent study performed a life-cycle inventory of 8 flexible re-sealable packaging systems (6 for deli meats and 2 for breakfast cereals) as compared with rigid alternatives. The study demonstrated that products packaged in re-sealable flexible pouches had lower energy consumption, solid waste generation and greenhouse gas emissions than rigid packaging. Moreover, less energy was involved during transport of products packed in re-sealable packaging.