Fiber-Based Packaging Moves Closer to Reality with New Industry Collaboration
A new collaboration between Amcor, Metsä Group, and G. Mondini is pushing fiber-based food packaging closer to scalable, real-world adoption.
The partnership has delivered a fully integrated fiber tray system designed for protein and chilled ready-meal applications. Combining moulded fibre trays, advanced barrier liners, and sealing technology, the solution has been engineered to run efficiently on existing packaging lines – addressing one of the biggest barriers to adopting alternative materials.
Designed for Performance on the Line
A key focus of the development has been ensuring that sustainability doesn’t come at the expense of production performance.
The system will be demonstrated live at Interpack 2026, running on the G. Mondini Trave Streamline tray sealing platform. The machine has been optimised to handle fiber trays with reduced friction through the sealing process, supporting consistent throughput and reliability for high-volume food producers.
This matters. Fiber packaging has often struggled to transition from concept to factory floor due to performance limitations. By validating the material on proven tray sealing technology, the collaboration signals a shift toward practical implementation.
A Fully Integrated Packaging System
Rather than treating materials and machinery separately, the solution has been developed as a complete system:
- Moulded fibre trays derived from renewable wood sources
- High-performance barrier liners and top webs
- Compatibility with MAP and skin packaging formats
- Options for microwaveable, ovenable, and easy-peel functionality
The result is a format that protects perishable products, supports shelf life requirements, and aligns with retailer and consumer expectations around sustainability.
Why This Matters for Food Manufacturers
For food producers, the challenge isn’t just finding sustainable packaging – it’s finding solutions that actually run.
This collaboration demonstrates what’s possible when material science and machine engineering are developed in parallel. By ensuring compatibility with established tray sealing systems, including those from G. Mondini, the barrier to adoption is significantly reduced.
It also opens the door for greater on-pack differentiation, with the ability to digitally print directly onto fibre trays while maintaining a natural, premium appearance.
A Step Toward Scalable Sustainability
While fiber-based packaging has been discussed for years, solutions that balance sustainability, shelf life, and line efficiency have been limited.
This latest development represents a more complete approach – bringing together materials, barrier technology, and machinery into a single, validated system.
As the industry continues to move toward more sustainable formats, solutions like this will play a critical role in bridging the gap between innovation and scalable production.
Thinking About Fibre-Based Packaging?
If you’re exploring sustainable tray formats or looking for tray sealing solutions – book a production consult with our team to understand what will work on your line.