Packaging Specialists Going from Strength to Strength
1st May 2006
TRI-PACK Plastics, the British creator of the Coolseal…
TRI-PACK Plastics, the British creator of the Coolseal 100% recyclable polypropylene fish packaging system, and Icelandic packaging and packaging machinery supplier Samhentir Kassagerd, have cemented their relationship and are growing their business in several countries.
Together, the two companies have set up a new marketing company in Norway called Tri-Pack Scandinavia, which is manned by a small group of personnel based near Aalesund.
“They have very well established contacts throughout the Norwegian fish sector, and we are very excited at the potential business for Coolseal in Norway,” Stephen Clarke, Tri-Pack Plastics’ managing director, told Fish Farmer.
“Indeed, we have already started delivering substantial quantities of Coolseal boxes to Aker Seafoods and other companies right up to nothern Norway.”
“Recipients in France and other parts of the European continent have expressed relief at finally receiving their fish in easily recycled attractive packs, having pressed their suppliers to find an alternative to polystyrene,” says Mr Clarke.
Tri-Packs location in Grimsby is an essential logistic benefit for servicing the fishery and aquaculture market, he claims.
This market development is a direct result of the recent investment made in the production process to take cost out of the manufacture of Coolseal boxes.
“This new investment has led to a breakthrough, whereby Tri-Pack can now link the sealed edge with spot gluing,” explains Mr Clarke. “This creates a new pop-up four-corner box, similar to the cardboard style, but with the added benefit of insulation, superb presentation and 100% recyclable waste. Known as Coolseal Plus+, these packs are user-friendly for all packers, very strong and take up minimum space prior to use.”
Coolseal Plus+ is claimed to make a ‘superb’ 25-kilo salmon box as an environmentally friendly alternative to polystyrene. Tri-Pack Scandinavia is in advanced talks with leading salmon exporters there.
“We are offering not only the box in a pre-glued flat packed format, but also machinery that erects the box automatically at front-of-line, as well as lid applicators fo end-of-line,” says Mr Clarke. “This machinery is part of the First Process range. A Norwegian company, First Process is working together with Tri-Pack to offer a turn-key solution to salmon exporters.”
Tri-Pack took a large stand at the European Seafood Exposition in Brussels.
The stand was located next to the Niverplast of Holland in Hall 4. Niverplast has developed the Tray-Plast machine that erects the leak-proof Coolseal base, and places a bag inside, all automatically, for front-of-line. Niverplast also produces a machine for sealing the bags when filled, and this was also on show.
Tri-Pack was exhibiting together with First Process of Norway, Niverplast of Holland, Tri-Pack Scandinavia and Samhentir. Vistors were able to view not only Coolseal and Coolseal Plus+, but also assembly machinery, bagging machinery and lid applicating machinery.
Sales of the leak-proof airfreight box are increasing in Iceland, thanks to acceptance by the airlines, receivers and UK supermarkets.
In the UK, extensive trials of the pop-up Coolseal Plus+ box have finished, and produced ‘very enthusiastic responses,’ says Mr Clarke.
“The Coolseal story is rolling on and gathering pace,” concludes Mr Clarke. “The range is now encompassing packs for both overland and airborne distribution. The value of the waste has soared in recent tines as the oil price has made re-cycling the Coolseal products an ever more attractive propostion.”