Discover your next big idea at PACK EXPO Las Vegas this September
Experience a breakthrough in packaging & processing and transform your business with solutions from 2,300 suppliers spanning all industries.
REGISTER NOW & SAVE

'Go-Green' thermoforms distinguish seafood launch

A high-end, value-added line of seafood products aimed at the retail market takes advantage of an unusual tray-making technology that reduces carbon footprint.

Not only is the lidding material attractively printed, the forming stock has a ‘deep blue sea’ theme, as well.
Not only is the lidding material attractively printed, the forming stock has a ‘deep blue sea’ theme, as well.

A well-established wholesaler of both fresh and frozen seafood products, Secaucus, NJ-based Scandia Seafood Inc. has just launched a brand new division named Nautical Foods that is aimed squarely at the retail market. Packaging—both the thermoformed tray and the flexible film lidding material—is a key element in this intriguing launch of frozen, value-added seafood products.


The Go-Green tray material comes from Coextruded Plastic Technologies, Inc.. From a material composition standpoint, it’s a five-layer coextrusion of PP/tie/EVOH/tie/PE. More significant is the way in which the trays are thermoformed. This methodology is what lies behind the “Go-Green” moniker. Proprietary issues keep CPT from explaining in great detail just how the trays are made. But here’s what we do know.


The five-layer sheet, coextruded by a source that CPT prefers not to name, arrives at CPT’s Janesville, WI, plant in rollstock format. It’s then cut into flat, rectangular blanks sized according to whatever tray is being produced. At Nautical Foods, trays measure either 6.72 x 8.75 or 10.75 x 6.72 inches.


The tray blanks emerge from the cutting system and are stacked the way flat carton blanks are stacked. They’re fed next into a proprietary thermoforming system, though they first pass through a pre-heat process that is crucial to the overall traymaking sequence. Depth of draw is 1.2, 1.6, or 2.0 inches for Nautical Foods’ trays. The proprietary thermoform system can form trays 16 to 24 up depending on size.

Researched List: Engineering Services Firms
Looking for engineering services? Our curated list features 100+ companies specializing in civil, process, structural, and electrical engineering. Many also offer construction, design, and architecture services. Download to access company names, markets served, key services, contact information, and more!
Download Now
Researched List: Engineering Services Firms
Annual Outlook Report: Workforce
Hiring remains a major challenge in packaging, with 78% struggling to fill unskilled roles and 84% lacking experienced workers. As automation grows, companies must rethink hiring and training. Download the full report for key insights.
Download Now
Annual Outlook Report: Workforce