A winner in pizza packaging

A new pizza box concept has been introduced by plastic packaging specialist Faerch Plast, in which the base is produced from crystalline polyethylene terephthalate (CPET). This material makes the box suitable for use in ovens – up to 220°C – or in microwaves. The lid is made from clear amorphous (APET).

The packaging, which was awarded the Snack d’Or trophy at the recent Sandwich & Snack Show in Paris, is claimed to offer many advantages to pizza manufacturers and consumers.

Uncooked pizzas can be prepared and packed into the 100% recyclable pizza box for cooking later. Cooked pizzas can also be taken from the oven in a supermarket or take-away outlet, and packed into the pizza box for safe transit and consumer reheating, without the lid.

CPET makes cooking and reheating possible because it retains its shape at high temperatures.

The new packaging offers new opportunities for pizzerias to offer cooked and ready-to-cook pizzas by home delivery or for takeaway, leaving the consumer to decide when to reheat or cook their pizza.

For supermarkets, with fresh pizzas prepared in-store becoming increasingly popular, this packaging allows the commercialisation of the on-shelf product by introducing a new concept in ready-to-cook pizzas.