Popularity of snack food is challenging the packaging industry. New types of packs are needed to attract busy consumers. The Langnese-Iglo Micro-Baguette launched on the German market this spring is an excellent example of the new trend in smart packaging, where technology and design go hand in hand. The package won first prize in the TIDA 2003, Trayforma International Design Award competition organised by Stora Enso.

Micro-Baguette is an example of the growing food trend where smaller snacks, weighing typically under 150g, are taking over from hamburger products. Langnese-Iglo, belonging to the Unilever Group, intends to take its share of this increasing segment of the food industry. The company's 115 gram Micro-Baguette package was originally designed to meet the quality and speed requirements of the snack food market.

"The packaging concept we wanted to create was one that will be distinctive and make the product stand out from other package designs. We also wanted to guarantee the ´crispiness´ of the contents for the consumer. According to a consumer survey we carried out, crispiness is the decisive factor in rating a product. But here we needed the help of the packaging industry since the product is heated in the package and also eaten straight from it," explain Jürgen Schondelmayer and Karsten Kapels from Langnese-Iglo GmbH.

In line with Langnese-Iglo's policy, the package was created as a result of close co-operation: the parties involved were Langnese-Iglos's packaging development department (Germany), CC Pack (Sweden), Stora Enso (Finland) and Henry & Leigh Slater (UK), all of which provided their own expertise. CC Pack implemented the packaging concept, using Stora Enso's Trayforma board as the material for the tray. Special coated Trayforma is suitable for demanding applications where good formability and durability are needed, at temperatures from -40º to +230ºC. The inside of the board tray is laminated with susceptor film manufactured by the British company Henry & Leigh Slater. Susceptor heats the baguette or pizza quickly, keeping it crispy while ensuring product safety. This product is a lightly metallised PET film that converts the microwave energy into heat.

The product has been a marketing success and is now sold in Germany and the plan is to launch it further countries like Spain, Ireland, Austria and Switzerland. The packaging solution won first prize in the TIDA 2003 competition that awards the best trayformed packages annually. The Micro-Baguette package won praise for its innovativeness and functionality. The packaging concept was judged by a panel of representatives from the tray packaging, machine manufacture and design sectors. The prize was awarded at the annual Traystorming seminar held in Düsseldorf, Germany, in March this year.



More information:
www.storaenso.com/trayforma

Stora Enso Packaging Boards
Ms Petra Cranston, Product Manager
Karhula Mill
P.O. Box 25
FIN-48601 Karhula
FINLAND
Tel: +358 2046 26701
Fax: +358 2046 26774
E-mail: petra.cranston@storaenso.com

Stora Enso Belgium N.V./S.A.
Mr Stefaan Temmerman
Airport Business Center
Vuurberg 80
B-1831 Machelen (Diegem)
BELGIUM
Tel: +32 2 715 0471
Fax: +32 2 715 0479
E-mail: stefaan.temmerman@storaenso.com

Stora Enso France S.A.
Mr Alain Piattier / Ms Maila Grastilleur
15/25 Boulevard de l'Amiral Bruix
F-75782 Paris Cedex 16
FRANCE
Tel: +33 1 53 64 79 00
Fax: +33 1 53 64 79 90
E-mail: maila.grastilleur@storaenso.com

Stora Enso Italia srl
Mr Renato Somekh
Via A. Volta, 16
I-20093 Cologno Monzese
ITALY
Tel: +39 02 251 514 74
Fax: +39 02 251 514 59
E-mail: renato.somekh@storaenso.com

Stora Enso Nederland B.V.
Mr Gerrit Willekes
P.O. Box 12386
NL-1101 AJ Amsterdam
THE NETHERLANDS
Tel: +31 20 650 5555
Fax: +31 20 650 5622
E-mail: gerrit.willekes@storaenso.com

Stora Enso Packaging Boards
Scandinavia Sales
Mr Joakim Stockhaus, Sales Director
SE-774 89 Fors
SWEDEN
Tel: +46 226 350 45
Fax: +46 226 353 79
E-mail: joakim.stockhaus@storaenso.com

Stora Enso (Schweiz) AG
Mr Alexander Meyer
Hohlstrasse 535
CH-8048 Zürich
SWITZERLAND
Tel: +41 1 435 3838
Fax: +41 1 435 3830
E-mail: alexander.meyer@storaenso.com

Stora Enso UK Ltd.
Mr Roy Bray
Packaging Boards
1 Phoenix Place, Phoenix Centre
GB-Nottingham, NG8 6BA
UNITED KINGDOM
Tel: +44 115 964 7100
Fax: +44 115 964 7170
E-mail: roy.bray@storaenso.com

Langnese-Iglo GmbH
Mr Karsten Kapels
Aeckern 1
D-48734 Reken
GERMANY
Tel: +49 286482182
Fax: +49 40359215312
E-mail: karsten.kapels@unilever.com

CC Pack AB
Mr Christoffer Olbrich, Production Manager
Box 2
SE-54321 Tibro
SWEDEN
Tel: +46 504 198 82
Fax: +46 504 198 89
E-mail: christoffer@ccpack.se

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