A muesli package which does not require an inner bag was launched on the market in Norway this autumn. This is a CTMP based packaging concept designed for Europe's extensive muesli and breakfast cereal market to guarantee good barrier properties. Stora Enso Packaging Boards' Performa Barr board is now used in all the muesli packs of Regal Mölle's Bajas product family.

Muesli products on sale on the European market are usually packed with an inner bag, which provides sufficient barrier properties to ensure that the contents remain in prime condition right up until they reach the consumer's table. With the advent of the new CTMP based packaging concept, however, this packaging model will disappear.
"According to the feedback received from consumers, we should avoid unnecessary packaging. For the launch of our new product family, we endeavoured to find out whether it would be possible to pack muesli without an inner bag," says Gry Haugsnes from the Production Development at the Regal Mölle Group.
The independent Norwegian research institute, Matforsk, was commissioned by the company to analyse various board grades. In particular, Matforsk tested the barrier properties of boards: mainly the effects of heat, moisture and light. On the basis of the results of the tests carried out by the institute, the company chose to start using Performa Barr board, which received the highest scores. The odour and taste properties of Performa Barr also conformed with the quality requirements set by the company. The next stage was the actual process of designing the package. The Swedish converter, Nord Emballage, was closely involved in this work.
"Muesli is a demanding product to package, as it is crucial to ensure that the dried fruits keep their original condition. Even after seven months, the consumer should be able to enjoy a product that is as fresh and crispy as it was at the time of packaging. Muesli packs are usually stored in the kitchen, an environment that has a higher than normal heat and moisture level. For this reason, the package has to be able keep the product fresh in a variety of storage and utilisation conditions," says Gry Haugsnes.
Bajas muesli is the first muesli pack without an inner bag to come onto the market. Dispensing with the inner bag simplifies packaging and saves on materials. The new package with its "no inner bag" label is completely recyclable.
Director Ulf Jeppsson of Nord Emballage also points out that the new packaging solution has not involved any extra expenditure in the form of equipment investments. Packages made from Performa Barr board are packed and cold sealed on Regal Mölle's old machinery. Mr Jeppsson predicts that this product solution will become one of the most important innovations utilised in Europe's muesli and cereal packs.

Caption:
Stora Enso's Performa Barr makes it possible to package muesli without an inner bag. The new packaging concept was first introduced in Norway.

For further information contact:
Stora Enso Oyj
Special Food Packaging Boards
Yrjö Aho, Vice President
FIN-55800 Imatra
FINLAND
Tel.: +358 2046 121
Fax.: +358 2046 24767
E-mail: yrjo.aho@storaenso.com

Stora Enso Interamericas, Inc.
Mr Mikko Jaatinen
8750 Doral Boulevard
Suite 270
Miami, FL 33178
U.S.A
Tel.: +1 305 716 9799
Fax.: +1 305 716 5441

Stora Enso North America Corp.
Mr Per Hellman
Two Landmark Square
3rd Floor
Stamford, CT 06901-2792
U.S.A
Tel.: +1 203 356 2300
Fax.: +1 203 356 2340

Stora Enso UK
Mr Roy Bray
Enso House, New Mill Road
GB-Orpington, Kent BR5 3TW
UNITED KINGDOM
Tel.: +44 1689 836 911
Fax.: +44 1689 829 732

Stora Enso Australia Pty. Ltd.
Mr Juhani Ellenberg
Level 17, NCR House
8-20 Napier Street
AUS-North Sydney 2060
AUSTRALIA
Tel.: +61 2 9955 4855
Fax.: +61 2 9955 7933

Stora Enso France
Alain Piattier / Maila Grastilleur
15/25 Blvd de l'Amiral-Bruix
F-75782 Paris Cedex 16
FRANCE
Tel.: +33 1 53 64 7900
Fax.: +33 1 53 64 7990
E-mail: maila.grastilleur@storaenso.com

Stora Enso Scandinavia
Packaging Boards
Joakim Stockhaus
Kanikenäsbanken 10
S-652 26 Karlstad
SVERIGE
Tel.: +46 54 22 2700
Fax.: +46 54 22 2720
E-mail: joakim.stockhaus@storaenso.com

Stora Enso Italia
Renato Somekh
Via A. Volta, 16
1-20093 Cologno Monzese
ITALY
Tel.: +39 02 251 514 50
Fax.: +39 02 251 514 59
E-mail: renato.somekh@storaenso.com

Stora Enso Nederland B.V.
Dhr J.W.F.Klarenbeek
Postbus 12386
NL-1100 AJ Amsterdam
THE NETHERLANDS
Tel.: +31 20 650 5555
Fax.: +31 20 650 5622
E-mail: jan-willem.klarenbeek@storaenso.com

Stora Enso Argentina
Eduardo Galindo
Lavalle 556 4°H
AR-1047 Buenos Aires
ARGENTINA
Tel.: +54 11 4 325 0195/0361
Fax.: +54 11 4 394 8344

Stora Enso Brazil
Timo Petteri Vuorio
Alameda Vicente Pinzon,
Nr 144, 09th floor, Suite 93
BR-04547-130 Sao Paulo
BRAZIL
Tel.: +55 11 866 1611
Fax.: +55 11 866 9757

Stora Enso (HK)
Mr Donny Chan
Rm. 1406, 36th Floor
3605-6 World Trade Center
280 Gloucester Road
Causeway Bay
HONG KONG S.A.R.
Tel.: +852 2895 2063
Fax.: +852 2576 1480

Stora Enso Hellas
Angelo Evgenikos
33, Vas. Sofias Ave.
GR-10675 Athens
GREECE
Tel.: +30 1 723 9990
Fax.: +30 1 723 5110

Stora Enso Singapore Pte Ltd
M.D. Tom Alftan
360 Orchard Road #11-01 International Building
SG-Singapore 238869
SINGAPORE
Tel.: +65 235 3485
Fax.: +65 737 4278

Stora Enso (Middle East)
M.D. Pentti Raivio
R/A 8 - HB1
Jebel ali Free Zone, Dubai
Mail: P.O.B. 61265
Dubai
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Tel.: +971 4 836 819
Fax.: +971 4 836 826

Stora Enso Southern Africa
Mr Vesa Pärssinen
P.O.Box 12900
N1 City
7463 Cape Town
SOUTH AFRICA
Tel.: +27 21 595 0942
Fax.: +27 21 595 1688

Stora Enso Japan K.K.
Eero Ala-Jääski
KM Nishiumeda Bldg.
20-1, Fukushima 7-chome
Fukushima-ku
J-Osaka 553-0003
JAPAN
Tel.: +81 6 6455 6811
Fax.: +81 6 6455 8811

Press release images