Certified recyclable, best-in-class for mono MAP solutions

Boundary-breaking recyclability and improved performance.

kp Elite^® certified as Class A recyclable by RecyClass

Do you want to use the most sustainable packaging options for your fresh protein products? Maybe you’re already familiar with kp Elite^®?

kp Elite^® is a modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) tray for fresh protein made with up to 100% recycled post-consumer PET (rPET), which is recyclable. Our kp Elite^® washable adhesive rPET tray has been evaluated based on the RecyClass “Letter of Compatibility” Design for Recycling^*. It scored Class A for compatibility within the clear PET recycling stream in the UK and EU.

Unlike our direct competitors who supply rPET/PE trays, which are classified as non-recyclable by RecyClass, kp Elite^® in combination with any of our 100% PET trays, is fully recyclable. We can supply kp Elite^® with trays containing up to 100% PCR (rPET) content. We are also proud to emboss on our trays how much recycled PET (rPET) was used to produce them.

We also systematically include kp Tray2Tray^® PCR content which creates a closed loop for food trays. If you choose to combine kp Elite^® with kp Zapora^® and with our certified recyclable kp FlexiLid^® EH 145 R barrier lidding film, your case-ready MAP solution is both fully recyclable and from a single supplier.

kp Elite^®’s outstanding sustainability credentials do not affect product performance. In fact, kp Elite^® brings productivity benefits and cost savings compared to rPET/PE and rPET mono alternatives. kp Elite^®’s capability to seal through contamination reduces potential leakers, rework and ultimately reduces food waste. kp Elite®'s focus on circularity and effective use of recycled material is ideal for meeting future legislative needs, such as the EU's Packaging & Packaging Waste Regulations, bringing high potential for cost control.

Click on the request a sales call button and we’ll be delighted to help you create a tailored solution to match your needs.

kp Elite^® - certified recyclable for mono MAP solutions.

*Any changes in design, print, used materials, and the effect of product content or residue, might change the outcome of the recyclability of a final packaging. 

“ Sustainable packaging has an important role to play in containing, protecting and preserving our food, and kp Elite^® is an ideal solution; not only is it 100% recyclable, it’s created using recycled content and it also delivers a plastic weight reduction.

We’re absolutely delighted that we’re set to achieve our transition to mono material plastic trays well ahead of the 2025 deadline set by On-Pack Recycling Label (OPRL). This means that our poultry trays can continue to be recycled at kerbside.”

Matt Harris, Head of Packaging at Moy Park

**RECOUP's RecyClass certification confirms that the semi-finished product was assessed, is compatible with readily available sorting & recycling technologies commonly used at industrial scale in the recycling sector in Europe. As an intermediate result, they have established that this semi-finished product is sorted into the Clear PET-fraction.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is kp Elite^®?

It’s a patented washable adhesive solution for our 100% PET MAP trays. It removes the need for a PE sealing layer. So, it’s a fully recyclable solution as certified by RecyClass.

Why are rPET/PE trays classified as unrecyclable?

PET/PE trays are multi-layer and PET recycling facilities cannot separate the PE from the PET. This contaminates the PET material stream. So, PET/PE trays are not classified as recyclable.

What’s the difference between rPET and PCR trays?

When we talk about PET trays, the two terms are the same. rPET stands for recycled PET and PCR stands for Post Consumer Recyclate. The addition of a percentage in front of rPET or PCR indicates how much recycled PET has been used to make the tray.

What is kp Tray2Tray®?

Replacing recycled content from bottles with recycled content from trays is at the heart of our kp Tray2Tray^® programme. This is circularity in action! In 2022 almost 10% of our recycled material was from kp Tray2Tray^® and the number of trays we recycled increased to 725 million.

Kp Elite^® and kp Tray2Tray^® bring two innovations together. With the potential to include up to 100% Tray2Tray flake, it’s a fully circular solution offering maximum food protection and safety and exceptional clarity.

What is the RecyClass Letter of Comptability?

The RecyClass ‘letter of compatibility’ evaluates the degree to which kp Elite^® is designed for recycling. RECOUP’s RecyClass certification confirms that the semi-finished product is compatible with readily available sorting and recycling technologies in Europe. As an intermediate result, it establishes that this semi-finished product* can be sorted in the clear PET-fraction. The Recyclass recyclability of this semi-finished product is calculated as Class A.

What applications can kp Elite^® be used for

Any fresh and processed protein applications such as fresh red meat, fresh poultry, and fresh fish?

In which countries is the RecyClass Letter of Comptability recognised?

The evaluation is conducted for Europe. The certificate is recognised globally.

Have you conducted any LCA studies on kp Elite^®?

Yes, in 2020 we conducted an independent and peer-reviewed life cycle assessment (LCA) of different modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) types. kp Elite^® in combination with a mono tray made of rPET and a laminated lidding film (BOPP/PE-EVOH-PE) was found to have the lowest overall environmental impact. You can read the ‘at-a-glance findings below’ and request a sales call if you want to know more.

Does kp Elite^® combined with your 100% PCR trays cost more than other PET solutions on the market?

When you consider total cost of ownership, kp Elite^® is the lowest cost solution.

Here are the ‘at-a-glance’ findings from the independent, peer-reviewed LCA assessment

Request a sales call if you’d like to know more

Mono material tray: 100% rPET

Adhesive: very small amount (polyolefin
based) used around the edge of the tray
to seal it to the lidding film

Lidding film: BOPP/PE-EVOH-PE
complex laminate

• kp Elite^® has the lowest overall
environmental impact compared
to the other MAPs studied.

• This is due largely to the facts that the tray
is the lightest weight of those studied and
is made from 100% rPET.

Mixed-material tray: PET/PE: 94.8% PET
(92% recycled and 8% virgin) and 5.2% PE
on the inner surface of the tray to facilitate
heat sealing of the lidding film

Lidding film: PET/PE-EVOH-PE: virgin PET
with a PE layer that enables heat-sealing of
the lidding film to the tray

• Although the tray is the second‑lightest
in the assessment, the use of
virgin materials contributes to the
environmental impact. Energy use impact
is 28% greater than kp Elite^®.

• The tray is listed as ‘Widely recycled’,
but it may not get recycled as it is a mix of
rPET and PE, not a mono material. If the
tray is incinerated instead of recycled, the
carbon emissions increase by 49%.

Mono material tray: PET: 92% rPET,
8% virgin PET

Lidding film: PET: virgin PET multi-layered
film

• The tray and lidding film together
account for the second-largest carbon
emissions impact. This is 22% greater
than kp Elite^®.

• Having the third-heaviest tray
contributes significantly to
the environmental impact.

Mono material tray: PP: virgin PP

Lidding film: PET/PP-EVOH-PP: virgin PET
with a PP layer that enables the lidding film
to be heat-sealed to the tray

• It is the only virgin plastic material
tray, which contributes to it having
the highest carbon emissions impact
of those assessed.

• In contrast to PET, PP is not currently
mechanically recycled to food grade,
which therefore requires the use of
virgin PP.

Tray: Folding cartonboard/PE/PA

Top web film: PE/PA

Base web film: PE/PA and EVA adhesive
(to attach the base web to the tray)

• Water use impact is significantly higher
(195% greater than kp Elite^®), the key
contributor being the cartonboard
outer tray.

• The base and top web films make
the largest contribution to the carbon
emissions impact, related to raw
materials, conversion and end-oflife
processes.

For more information about kp’s products, click here www.kpfilms.com

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