Metal packaging - new concepts for microwave convenience!
Contrary to popular belief, metal containers can be safely used in microwave ovens provided that simple guidelines are followed. With the added convenience of conventional oven heating, a new generation of ready meal packaging is ready to take to market!
Changing life styles are increasing the demand for ready meals in Europe with innovative designs of metal containers providing an exciting opportunity for fillers to create an impact in the market. Combining the can making skills of Impress, the creative skills of Alpha Centauri, a design house in Paris, and material expertise from steelmakers ArcelorMittal, prototype containers have been developed using Creasteel® - a high draw steel which enables the creation of novel shapes.
Containers have been optimised for use in microwave ovens by using a shallow design to give a large open surface area. Two concept containers have been produced - a direct heat seal 650ml triangular shape and a 450 ml round design closed either by direct heat seal or a 153mm diameter Easy Peel® end. Containers are printed using four colour distortion printing to avoid secondary packaging and also to accentuate the strong visual appeal to the consumer.
Safe and more uniform heating
The use of metal packaging in microwave ovens is supported by a recent study: 'Microwaveability of steel and aluminium packaging' carried out by the renowned Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging at Freising, Germany. Around 1000 tests were carried out using various designs of container in different microwave ovens. Thomas Pfeiffer, leader of the study concluded, '...the use of shallow and wide open metal containers for heating of food in microwave ovens is perfectly viable from a safety point of view…' Although microwave heating times for food in metal containers are longer than for equivalent plastic containers, there is less temperature variation and heating is more uniform.
High consumer acceptance
In tests carried out by Impress in France, Germany and United Kingdom, consumers showed a high level of acceptance to use metal in a microwave oven. They also liked the option of being able to use a conventional oven for heating and recognised the advantages of a container which remains rigid when hot and which can be recycled.
Market opportunities
The new designs can be used to support new recipes or new product ranges in heat processed ready meals and could even be used as a point of differentiation for chilled products! 'This development creates an exciting new opportunity for metal packaging', says Richard Moore, VP Strategic Development, Impress. 'We have the potential to break down perceived barriers and establish a new standard in the ready meal market.'
To discuss opportunities and new product ideas please contact Doreen Decker on +33 (0) 243 485 164 or e mail: info.easypeel@nl.imp-group.com
Impress is a global market leader in the consumer metal packaging industry. It is the second largest European supplier of heat processed food cans, worldwide leader in the seafood can market, European leader in cans for paints and coatings, European leader in cans for dry foods and European leader for aerosol cans.
Impress is based in Deventer, the Netherlands and had worldwide sales of approximately €1.5 billion in 2006. It employs approximately 7,800 people in 52 facilities in 19 countries in Europe, North America, Japan, North Africa and the Seychelles.
For further Information, please contact:
Ysabel Noel: Talents et Compagnie :Tel: +33 1 56 89 56 52 Fax: +33 1 56 89 56 50 e-mail: noel@talents-compagnie.com
Mary Chapman: Mary Chapman Communications: Tel: +44(0)1452 720208 Fax: +44(0)1452 723724 e-mail: marychpm@aol.com
