Aluminium - Truly circular material

Aluminium is the only material that can be recycled indefinitely without loss of properties. It is the only material that can be used in all 4 applications: Freezer – Microwave oven – Oven – Grill.

Aluminium is 100% recyclable, and 75% of all the aluminium ever produced is still in use today. Furthermore, development of new and stronger alloys together with design optimization leads to consistently achieving “more with less”; a downgauging trend, to which the aluminium industry, raw material suppliers and Plus Pack are committed, to continuously save resources. Aluminium is considered a valuable material and should, therefore, ideally be sorted separately and collected for recycling.

DID YOU KNOW?

By recycling rather than extracting new aluminium, you save 95% energy.

Source: EAFA European Aluminium Foil Association

Versatile and effective

Aluminium packaging is suited to nearly all types of food handling from -40°C to 350°C. It goes from the freezer to the fridge, oven or microwave oven. It is also the only food packaging suitable for the grill. Beyond a large temperature range tolerance, aluminium packaging protects food and ensures a long shelf life. Its barrier properties range from water, light and grease to microorganisms and air. Its light weight makes it easy to form and process and contributes to efficient transportation. The excellent barrier properties of aluminium allow for a long shelf life – containers can be closed with aluminium or plastic lids as well as a sealing film. Where the packaging design provides a flat sealing rim, the food container can be heat-sealed with a flexible film, which allows flushing with modified gas (MAP). Aluminium foil can be used plain or with different surface coatings which enlarges the scope of use.

Food safety

Aluminium is an ideal food packaging material. It is hygienic and has unique barrier properties due to its ability to protect the contents against penetration of light, grease, water, etc., and against oxygen and CO₂ when hermetically sealed packaging is used. That said, if highly acidic or salty foods (outside the pH range 4.5 to 8.5) are cooked or stored in uncoated aluminium packaging for extended time periods, migration can occur, increasing the natural amount of aluminium in the food. Therefore, the use of an inside lacquer is recommended.

Design and print

Aluminium is a material that allows for customization. Containers can be lacquered to fit a specific food type, printed for communication opportunities as well as embossed to increase strength.

Aluminium can be used in the microwave

Aluminium containers are suited for microwave cooking – as long as a few guidelines are followed. Click here to learn more.