Products
Markets
Knowledge Hub
Sustainability
Company
Contact

Packaging Formats

At KM Packaging, we focus our efforts on getting to know our customers and their business. Our technical experts have extensive knowledge of the market and can find the right solutions for you. From ready meal lidding films to vacuum skin packaging our products are designed to protect, present and preserve food in a way that reduces waste and enhances the consumer experience. All our pouches and bags are produced with the highest technical integrity within Europe, under BRC and ISO 9001:2015 guidelines.

Lidding Films

We have one of the most diverse lidding film ranges available on the global market today. Specially developed to protect, present and preserve, our market-leading lidding films include films with superior peelability, strength and clarity, as well as exceptional barrier capabilities.

Our team here at KM Packaging are highly knowledgeable and work closely with you to understand your needs and help you find the right solution.

Enquire Now
Download Brochure
Features & Benefits

What are the benefits of lidding films?

Our range of lidding films includes our unique brands KFoil, KPeel, KSeal and KReseal to ensure we can cover all demands of the convenience food and fresh produce markets and cater for ambient, chilled and frozen food packaging requirements.

Depending on your needs, we can offer a range of lidding films that allow for different sealing methods. From extra secure seals for high-value products to resealing functionality to help preserve freshness, our lidding films can do the job you need.

We supply lidding films suitable for use in the microwave, as well as ovenable packaging so food can go from factory to table without having to be opened until ready to eat, the ultimate in consumer convenience and safety.

We also offer the opportunity to add enhanced functions including Superguard to further protect products, easy-peel features for greater consumer convenience and perforation options to improve food preservation without the risk of contamination. Our lidding films can also be produced with additional laminate layers to help fulfil further protective requirements. 

Application Overview

What are the applications of lidding films?

KM Packaging’s lidding films are the perfect choice for so many applications. We can provide reliable products for ready meals through to fresh produce and everything in between. Our films can protect food and non-food items as well as liquids, solids and powders to help prevent waste and ensure food is presented at its best.

Our lidding films are suitable for hot and cold fill applications and can be used in conventional and microwave ovens. We have five unique lidding film brands, each with their own recommended applications.

Materials

What materials are used in lidding films?

Our extensive range of films comes in many different materials depending on the tray used or the intended application. Many of our films are PET or PE-based, available as mono or laminates and are suitable for lacquered foil, PP, APET, CPET, paper and pulp board trays.

Many of our lidding films can be enhanced with additional layers to allow for extra barrier, strength or film clarity depending on your needs.

Tray Types

What tray types can lidding films be used on?

We offer lidding solutions for most types of trays and we have experience and in-depth knowledge of sealing across a wide range of applications to many of the leading brands of tray found on the market today. We engineer lidding film technology for mono and coex CPET, APET, PP and PE as well as smoothwall aluminium and lacquered foil trays. We also offer solutions for pressed board, coated board and pulp trays. 

Market Sectors
Prepared & Ready Meals

Our peel and weld seal lidding films are ideal for prepared meals and our vast range of options makes them suitable for most trays and applications including microwave, oven, fridge, freezer and shelf-storage.

Fresh Produce

We supply the ideal lidding film for keeping fruit and vegetables fresher for longer and offer anti-fog technology to reduce misting.

Meat, Poultry & Seafood

Protect high-value contents with a secure lidding film from KM Packaging, suitable from factory to kitchen.

Bakery & Desserts

Our lidding films are designed to perfectly present your baked goods and desserts and are suitable for the fridge, freezer, oven and microwave.

Dairy & Cheese

Keep dairy and cheese products fresher for longer with a range of different lidding films including reseal and multi-peel options suitable for APET trays.

Plant Based Protein

Suited to protect and preserve plant-based proteins. We also supply a range of vegan lidding films to ethically complement your product.

Pet Food

Take advantage of world-class lidding film solutions for your pet food packaging needs including peel and reseal options.

What are the benefits of lidding films?

Our range of lidding films includes our unique brands KFoil, KPeel, KSeal and KReseal to ensure we can cover all demands of the convenience food and fresh produce markets and cater for ambient, chilled and frozen food packaging requirements.

Depending on your needs, we can offer a range of lidding films that allow for different sealing methods. From extra secure seals for high-value products to resealing functionality to help preserve freshness, our lidding films can do the job you need.

We supply lidding films suitable for use in the microwave, as well as ovenable packaging so food can go from factory to table without having to be opened until ready to eat, the ultimate in consumer convenience and safety.

We also offer the opportunity to add enhanced functions including Superguard to further protect products, easy-peel features for greater consumer convenience and perforation options to improve food preservation without the risk of contamination. Our lidding films can also be produced with additional laminate layers to help fulfil further protective requirements. 

What are the applications of lidding films?

KM Packaging’s lidding films are the perfect choice for so many applications. We can provide reliable products for ready meals through to fresh produce and everything in between. Our films can protect food and non-food items as well as liquids, solids and powders to help prevent waste and ensure food is presented at its best.

Our lidding films are suitable for hot and cold fill applications and can be used in conventional and microwave ovens. We have five unique lidding film brands, each with their own recommended applications.

What materials are used in lidding films?

Our extensive range of films comes in many different materials depending on the tray used or the intended application. Many of our films are PET or PE-based, available as mono or laminates and are suitable for lacquered foil, PP, APET, CPET, paper and pulp board trays.

Many of our lidding films can be enhanced with additional layers to allow for extra barrier, strength or film clarity depending on your needs.

What tray types can lidding films be used on?

We offer lidding solutions for most types of trays and we have experience and in-depth knowledge of sealing across a wide range of applications to many of the leading brands of tray found on the market today. We engineer lidding film technology for mono and coex CPET, APET, PP and PE as well as smoothwall aluminium and lacquered foil trays. We also offer solutions for pressed board, coated board and pulp trays. 

Prepared & Ready Meals

Our peel and weld seal lidding films are ideal for prepared meals and our vast range of options makes them suitable for most trays and applications including microwave, oven, fridge, freezer and shelf-storage.

Fresh Produce

We supply the ideal lidding film for keeping fruit and vegetables fresher for longer and offer anti-fog technology to reduce misting.

Meat, Poultry & Seafood

Protect high-value contents with a secure lidding film from KM Packaging, suitable from factory to kitchen.

Bakery & Desserts

Our lidding films are designed to perfectly present your baked goods and desserts and are suitable for the fridge, freezer, oven and microwave.

Dairy & Cheese

Keep dairy and cheese products fresher for longer with a range of different lidding films including reseal and multi-peel options suitable for APET trays.

Plant Based Protein

Suited to protect and preserve plant-based proteins. We also supply a range of vegan lidding films to ethically complement your product.

Pet Food

Take advantage of world-class lidding film solutions for your pet food packaging needs including peel and reseal options.

Features & Benefits

What are the benefits of lidding films?

Our range of lidding films includes our unique brands KFoil, KPeel, KSeal and KReseal to ensure we can cover all demands of the convenience food and fresh produce markets and cater for ambient, chilled and frozen food packaging requirements.

Depending on your needs, we can offer a range of lidding films that allow for different sealing methods. From extra secure seals for high-value products to resealing functionality to help preserve freshness, our lidding films can do the job you need.

We supply lidding films suitable for use in the microwave, as well as ovenable packaging so food can go from factory to table without having to be opened until ready to eat, the ultimate in consumer convenience and safety.

We also offer the opportunity to add enhanced functions including Superguard to further protect products, easy-peel features for greater consumer convenience and perforation options to improve food preservation without the risk of contamination. Our lidding films can also be produced with additional laminate layers to help fulfil further protective requirements. 

Application Overview

What are the applications of lidding films?

KM Packaging’s lidding films are the perfect choice for so many applications. We can provide reliable products for ready meals through to fresh produce and everything in between. Our films can protect food and non-food items as well as liquids, solids and powders to help prevent waste and ensure food is presented at its best.

Our lidding films are suitable for hot and cold fill applications and can be used in conventional and microwave ovens. We have five unique lidding film brands, each with their own recommended applications.

Materials

What materials are used in lidding films?

Our extensive range of films comes in many different materials depending on the tray used or the intended application. Many of our films are PET or PE-based, available as mono or laminates and are suitable for lacquered foil, PP, APET, CPET, paper and pulp board trays.

Many of our lidding films can be enhanced with additional layers to allow for extra barrier, strength or film clarity depending on your needs.

Tray Types

What tray types can lidding films be used on?

We offer lidding solutions for most types of trays and we have experience and in-depth knowledge of sealing across a wide range of applications to many of the leading brands of tray found on the market today. We engineer lidding film technology for mono and coex CPET, APET, PP and PE as well as smoothwall aluminium and lacquered foil trays. We also offer solutions for pressed board, coated board and pulp trays. 

Market Sectors
Prepared & Ready Meals

Our peel and weld seal lidding films are ideal for prepared meals and our vast range of options makes them suitable for most trays and applications including microwave, oven, fridge, freezer and shelf-storage.

Fresh Produce

We supply the ideal lidding film for keeping fruit and vegetables fresher for longer and offer anti-fog technology to reduce misting.

Meat, Poultry & Seafood

Protect high-value contents with a secure lidding film from KM Packaging, suitable from factory to kitchen.

Bakery & Desserts

Our lidding films are designed to perfectly present your baked goods and desserts and are suitable for the fridge, freezer, oven and microwave.

Dairy & Cheese

Keep dairy and cheese products fresher for longer with a range of different lidding films including reseal and multi-peel options suitable for APET trays.

Plant Based Protein

Suited to protect and preserve plant-based proteins. We also supply a range of vegan lidding films to ethically complement your product.

Pet Food

Take advantage of world-class lidding film solutions for your pet food packaging needs including peel and reseal options.

What are the benefits of lidding films?

Our range of lidding films includes our unique brands KFoil, KPeel, KSeal and KReseal to ensure we can cover all demands of the convenience food and fresh produce markets and cater for ambient, chilled and frozen food packaging requirements.

Depending on your needs, we can offer a range of lidding films that allow for different sealing methods. From extra secure seals for high-value products to resealing functionality to help preserve freshness, our lidding films can do the job you need.

We supply lidding films suitable for use in the microwave, as well as ovenable packaging so food can go from factory to table without having to be opened until ready to eat, the ultimate in consumer convenience and safety.

We also offer the opportunity to add enhanced functions including Superguard to further protect products, easy-peel features for greater consumer convenience and perforation options to improve food preservation without the risk of contamination. Our lidding films can also be produced with additional laminate layers to help fulfil further protective requirements. 

What are the applications of lidding films?

KM Packaging’s lidding films are the perfect choice for so many applications. We can provide reliable products for ready meals through to fresh produce and everything in between. Our films can protect food and non-food items as well as liquids, solids and powders to help prevent waste and ensure food is presented at its best.

Our lidding films are suitable for hot and cold fill applications and can be used in conventional and microwave ovens. We have five unique lidding film brands, each with their own recommended applications.

What materials are used in lidding films?

Our extensive range of films comes in many different materials depending on the tray used or the intended application. Many of our films are PET or PE-based, available as mono or laminates and are suitable for lacquered foil, PP, APET, CPET, paper and pulp board trays.

Many of our lidding films can be enhanced with additional layers to allow for extra barrier, strength or film clarity depending on your needs.

What tray types can lidding films be used on?

We offer lidding solutions for most types of trays and we have experience and in-depth knowledge of sealing across a wide range of applications to many of the leading brands of tray found on the market today. We engineer lidding film technology for mono and coex CPET, APET, PP and PE as well as smoothwall aluminium and lacquered foil trays. We also offer solutions for pressed board, coated board and pulp trays. 

Prepared & Ready Meals

Our peel and weld seal lidding films are ideal for prepared meals and our vast range of options makes them suitable for most trays and applications including microwave, oven, fridge, freezer and shelf-storage.

Fresh Produce

We supply the ideal lidding film for keeping fruit and vegetables fresher for longer and offer anti-fog technology to reduce misting.

Meat, Poultry & Seafood

Protect high-value contents with a secure lidding film from KM Packaging, suitable from factory to kitchen.

Bakery & Desserts

Our lidding films are designed to perfectly present your baked goods and desserts and are suitable for the fridge, freezer, oven and microwave.

Dairy & Cheese

Keep dairy and cheese products fresher for longer with a range of different lidding films including reseal and multi-peel options suitable for APET trays.

Plant Based Protein

Suited to protect and preserve plant-based proteins. We also supply a range of vegan lidding films to ethically complement your product.

Pet Food

Take advantage of world-class lidding film solutions for your pet food packaging needs including peel and reseal options.

Do you have a question?
+44 (0) 1832 274944
[email protected]
Options
Post-Consumer Recycled Content

Designed for Recyclability

Vegan

High Barrier

Strong Seals


Cold Peel

Suitable for Print

Antifog

HPP


Perforation

Print Services

We can manage all of your printing needs for fresh, chilled and frozen produce. From conception through to the finished product, our designated print team will be on hand to ensure you receive quality results every time. Our online central approval portal is accessible 24-hours-a-day ensuring projects stay on track in our fast-paced industry, no matter where you are in the world.  
Perforation

At KM Packaging, we understand that extending shelf-life plays a large part in the reduction of food waste. Our lidding films are suitable for perforation ensuring food can stay fresher for longer. We also understand that consumer convenience is important, therefore, we offer perforation suitable for the in-pack steam cooking of produce. We offer a variety of perforation options for our lidding films so if you are looking to extend shelf life or want to offer enhanced functionality we can help.

Send us a quick enquiry

Click here to read our Privacy Policy
Submit

Our packaging formats
Skin films

Our vacuum skin films offer premium protection to preserve valuable foods, making excellent pacakging solutions for meat, seafood, and dairy & cheese products.
Pouches and bags

We offer a wide range of reel-fed and stand-up pouches and bags to meet your needs
Flow Wrap

Our flow wrap is one of many of our flexible food packaging options available that protects, presents & preserves foods with optional printing and perforation.

Latest News
KM News and People / Press Release
Experience and expertise the key as KM continues on success path set by pioneers
The adage "a change is as good as a rest" rings true for the pioneers behind KM Packaging as they – and the business –...
Read more
KM News and People / Press Release
Double AA grade for KM with global recognition
KM Packaging is continuing to set the highest standards in product quality and safety. We have been awarded an AA grade in our BRCGS Audit for...
Read more
LATEST NEWS WRAP-UP
24.11.2023
MOUTH-WATERING PACKAGING FOR WEEKNIGHT MEALS

In our latest Wrap-Up … Mouth-watering packaging for weeknight meals.  Growth for global meat packaging market.  Combining the internet and the barcode. Simpler Recycling plans. Funding for sustainable flexible packaging. And more …

For Starters …

Mouth-watering packaging for weeknight meals

Asda aims to “revolutionise weeknight meals” with its launch of new ready meal ranges. It features some mouth-watering packaging including gold trays that we supplied to help make the product stand out and give it a fresh, premium feel.

MEANWHILE …

Meaty demand forecast

A new study by Future Market Insights has revealed that the global meat packaging industry is expected to grow substantially, generating over £4 billion in incremental opportunities between 2023 and 2033.

The modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) technology segment – including products in our wide range – is predicted to dominate the market. Polyethylene (PE) demand is expected to expand significantly due to its excellent chemical and tear resistance properties.

BRANDS WATCH …

  • On the paper trail: Snacks manufacturer Walkers is set to roll out the use of paper outer bags across all of its Baked multipacks. Walkers claims that the paper outer bags are a first for savoury snacks flexible packaging in the UK and can be recycled kerbside.
  • Shrink-wrapped chocs:  Galaxy chocolate bars have become the latest victim of “shrinkflation after the brand’s owner, Mars Inc, reduced the size of the bars from 110g to 100g. The company confirmed that Galaxy bars are now 10% smaller than before, blaming “growing pressures”.
     
  • No choking: Kraft Heinz has recalled some Kraft Singles due to faulty plastic packaging. The company said the plastic film can stick to the slices and cause a choking hazard. Singles was rebranded earlier this year, and its packaging was revamped to make it easier to open.
     
  • Compostable collaboration: Food and drink brand SMUG has collaborated with Parkside to develop a 100% compostable crisp packet made from a certified home compostable laminate.
     
  • Rice paper first: Rice supplier Veetee has introduced what is said to be the UK’s first recyclable paper-based dry rice packaging.

ON THE STORE FRONT …

  • Scrapping recycling points: Sainsbury's is discontinuing its recycling points at over 270 stores in the UK. These points currently allow customers to recycle household waste like cardboard, paper, glass bottles, and tins. However, customers can still recycle flexible plastic packaging, such as carrier bags, crisp packets, and cake wrappers in-store.
  • Zero targets approved: Tesco is one of the first retailers to have its net-zero science-based targets validated by the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi). Tesco is working towards becoming carbon neutral by 2035.
     
  • Information shortage: A study has found that two of Australia’s leading supermarkets are largely failing to apply physical product labelling requirements to their online stores.The study of more than 20,000 food products on Coles and Woolworths websites found under half provided nutrition information panels, 53% provided allergen declarations, and 34% provided ingredient lists.
     
  • Information confusion: M&S is changing the labelling on its salad pots as customers complained the two-portion serving size was misleading. Retailers can halve the amount of calories, fats etc shown on packs when the serving size is for two, as these are labelled “per portion”.  M&S is now updating its packaging to state that the salad can serve one as a main or two as a side, with nutritional information to be displayed per 100g.

NEWS BITES …

  • Watch this code space: After celebrating the barcode’s 50th birthday, GS1 UK has launched a pilot programme to encourage its 59,000-strong membership to help develop the future of on-pack labelling – QR codes powered by GS1. Combining the internet and the barcode, the technology allows businesses to provide a wide range of data without space limitations.
  • Chemical attraction: A team at Canada’s top university is creating a sustainable alternative to the petrochemical ethylene, which is widely used in food packaging.
     
  • Latest films: Chemists have improved the effectiveness of antibacterial chitosan films by adding iron and a new chitin derivative to chitin nanoparticles.

RECYCLING INTEREST …

  • Plastics plant: Nestlé has invested £7million in a new recycling plant set to process hard-to-recycle flexible plastics, with the potential to recycle more plastic than the manufacturer places on the UK and Ireland market.
     
  • Simple plans: The UK government has revealed its “Simpler Recycling” plans for England, requiring councils to collect glass, metal, plastic, paper and card, food, and garden waste by 31 March 2026. Plastic film must be included by 31 March 2027.
     
  • Market disruptions: The trade association Plastic Recyclers Europe has warned that recyclers are reporting “severe disruptions,” with the prices of recyclates falling by as much as 50%. The association said that low demand for new products and high imports of cheaper virgin material is “heavily destabilising the market”.
     
  • Reforms call: The UK government should quickly implement its planned packaging reforms, according to the Second National Infrastructure Assessment from the National Infrastructure Commission. The commission also recommended the government should widen its restriction on plastic packaging.

SUSTAINABLE TOPICS …

  • Flexible funding: £1 million in funding has been awarded to an academic and business collaboration to design and manufacture sustainable flexible packaging. The project has been awarded under the pilot Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) early-stage Prosperity Partnerships scheme.
     
  • Joining the pact: Aquapak Polymers, specialising in polymer-based material technologies, has joined WRAP and the UK Plastics Pact.
     
  • Studying the labels: Could food eco-labels help us shop more sustainably? Good Housekeeping has explored whether sustainability scores and traffic light labelling could steer us towards greener choices when we shop.

BIO-DIVERSITY …

  • Brand new: Xampla, a spin-off company from the University of Cambridge, has launched its first consumer brand, Morro, to promote its sustainable, plant-based packaging materials.
     
  • Bags of controversy: Controversy surrounds a study that shows compostable plastic bags release more toxins into the environment than conventional plastic bags. European Bioplastics has branded the research "scientifically questionable" and suggested that it does not replicate how plastics degrade in the real world.
     
  • Banking on seaweed: A start-up company, FlexSea, has gained investment worth £3 million to help commercialise a range of sustainable packaging solutions it has developed based on plastics derived from seaweed.

IN TRAYS …

  • The winner is: ISHIDA’s new QX-500 tray sealer has won the Innovative Packaging Machinery category at this year’s PPMA Awards. The QX-500 is a compact tray sealer that fits easily into new and existing packing lines, offers “excellent” seal quality, high throughput, and helps meet sustainability targets.
     
  • Getting up to speed: Proseal has shone the spotlight on its GT line. It says: “Our high-speed machines are designed to evolve with your production scheme. This platform ensures that one machine can be outfitted to perform multiple seal cycles:”
  • Bubbling over: Packaging Automation has been teasing us with bubbles! The company has said: “We're bubbling with excitement! We’re supporting a major #bubbletea supplier with packaging options for a #bubbleteakit. Get ready to sip, stir, and enjoy the bubble tea experience at home. Stay tuned!

AT HOME …

KM’s pioneers talk about journey

The pioneers behind KM Packaging, Charles Smithson and Graham Holding, have taken a retrospective look at their remarkable journey spanning almost three decades with the business.

In a candid discussion, they delve into their inspirations, the hurdles they've overcome, and their aspirations for the future.

Welcome to Mike

We’re delighted to welcome Mike Aho to the KM team as Director for our North America division. More to follow soon!

Double AA grade with global recognition

KM Packaging continues to set the highest standards in product quality and safety. We have been awarded an AA grade in our BRCGS Audit for the sixth year. BRCGS is among the most globally recognised standards in the food industry, and AA is the highest announced audit grade that can be awarded.

AND FINALLY …

  • Cracked milk bottles: Under the headline “Proud to choose plastic”, Abel & Cole are boasting: “We’ve finally cracked our sustainable refillable milk bottles. It’s taken us three years. Seven teams of experts. Three failed experiments. But we’ve done it. Thanks to plastic.”
     
  • Newspaper hazards: For anyone who misses the days of takeaway food wrapped in newspapers, DMA has highlighted potential hazards. It seems eating food wrapped in newspapers can lead to various diseases and health problems due to ink contamination and harmful chemicals.
     
  • Market going to pot: The cannabis packaging market size is projected to increase by £4.86 billion by 2027, according to Technavio.

From the KM team … protecting, presenting, and preserving your products.

Read more
LATEST NEWS WRAP-UP
24.11.2023
MOUTH-WATERING PACKAGING FOR WEEKNIGHT MEALS

In our latest Wrap-Up … Mouth-watering packaging for weeknight meals.  Growth for global meat packaging market.  Combining the internet and the barcode. Simpler Recycling plans. Funding for sustainable flexible packaging. And more …

For Starters …

Mouth-watering packaging for weeknight meals

Asda aims to “revolutionise weeknight meals” with its launch of new ready meal ranges. It features some mouth-watering packaging including gold trays that we supplied to help make the product stand out and give it a fresh, premium feel.

MEANWHILE …

Meaty demand forecast

A new study by Future Market Insights has revealed that the global meat packaging industry is expected to grow substantially, generating over £4 billion in incremental opportunities between 2023 and 2033.

The modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) technology segment – including products in our wide range – is predicted to dominate the market. Polyethylene (PE) demand is expected to expand significantly due to its excellent chemical and tear resistance properties.

BRANDS WATCH …

  • On the paper trail: Snacks manufacturer Walkers is set to roll out the use of paper outer bags across all of its Baked multipacks. Walkers claims that the paper outer bags are a first for savoury snacks flexible packaging in the UK and can be recycled kerbside.
  • Shrink-wrapped chocs:  Galaxy chocolate bars have become the latest victim of “shrinkflation after the brand’s owner, Mars Inc, reduced the size of the bars from 110g to 100g. The company confirmed that Galaxy bars are now 10% smaller than before, blaming “growing pressures”.
     
  • No choking: Kraft Heinz has recalled some Kraft Singles due to faulty plastic packaging. The company said the plastic film can stick to the slices and cause a choking hazard. Singles was rebranded earlier this year, and its packaging was revamped to make it easier to open.
     
  • Compostable collaboration: Food and drink brand SMUG has collaborated with Parkside to develop a 100% compostable crisp packet made from a certified home compostable laminate.
     
  • Rice paper first: Rice supplier Veetee has introduced what is said to be the UK’s first recyclable paper-based dry rice packaging.

ON THE STORE FRONT …

  • Scrapping recycling points: Sainsbury's is discontinuing its recycling points at over 270 stores in the UK. These points currently allow customers to recycle household waste like cardboard, paper, glass bottles, and tins. However, customers can still recycle flexible plastic packaging, such as carrier bags, crisp packets, and cake wrappers in-store.
  • Zero targets approved: Tesco is one of the first retailers to have its net-zero science-based targets validated by the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi). Tesco is working towards becoming carbon neutral by 2035.
     
  • Information shortage: A study has found that two of Australia’s leading supermarkets are largely failing to apply physical product labelling requirements to their online stores.The study of more than 20,000 food products on Coles and Woolworths websites found under half provided nutrition information panels, 53% provided allergen declarations, and 34% provided ingredient lists.
     
  • Information confusion: M&S is changing the labelling on its salad pots as customers complained the two-portion serving size was misleading. Retailers can halve the amount of calories, fats etc shown on packs when the serving size is for two, as these are labelled “per portion”.  M&S is now updating its packaging to state that the salad can serve one as a main or two as a side, with nutritional information to be displayed per 100g.

NEWS BITES …

  • Watch this code space: After celebrating the barcode’s 50th birthday, GS1 UK has launched a pilot programme to encourage its 59,000-strong membership to help develop the future of on-pack labelling – QR codes powered by GS1. Combining the internet and the barcode, the technology allows businesses to provide a wide range of data without space limitations.
  • Chemical attraction: A team at Canada’s top university is creating a sustainable alternative to the petrochemical ethylene, which is widely used in food packaging.
     
  • Latest films: Chemists have improved the effectiveness of antibacterial chitosan films by adding iron and a new chitin derivative to chitin nanoparticles.

RECYCLING INTEREST …

  • Plastics plant: Nestlé has invested £7million in a new recycling plant set to process hard-to-recycle flexible plastics, with the potential to recycle more plastic than the manufacturer places on the UK and Ireland market.
     
  • Simple plans: The UK government has revealed its “Simpler Recycling” plans for England, requiring councils to collect glass, metal, plastic, paper and card, food, and garden waste by 31 March 2026. Plastic film must be included by 31 March 2027.
     
  • Market disruptions: The trade association Plastic Recyclers Europe has warned that recyclers are reporting “severe disruptions,” with the prices of recyclates falling by as much as 50%. The association said that low demand for new products and high imports of cheaper virgin material is “heavily destabilising the market”.
     
  • Reforms call: The UK government should quickly implement its planned packaging reforms, according to the Second National Infrastructure Assessment from the National Infrastructure Commission. The commission also recommended the government should widen its restriction on plastic packaging.

SUSTAINABLE TOPICS …

  • Flexible funding: £1 million in funding has been awarded to an academic and business collaboration to design and manufacture sustainable flexible packaging. The project has been awarded under the pilot Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) early-stage Prosperity Partnerships scheme.
     
  • Joining the pact: Aquapak Polymers, specialising in polymer-based material technologies, has joined WRAP and the UK Plastics Pact.
     
  • Studying the labels: Could food eco-labels help us shop more sustainably? Good Housekeeping has explored whether sustainability scores and traffic light labelling could steer us towards greener choices when we shop.

BIO-DIVERSITY …

  • Brand new: Xampla, a spin-off company from the University of Cambridge, has launched its first consumer brand, Morro, to promote its sustainable, plant-based packaging materials.
     
  • Bags of controversy: Controversy surrounds a study that shows compostable plastic bags release more toxins into the environment than conventional plastic bags. European Bioplastics has branded the research "scientifically questionable" and suggested that it does not replicate how plastics degrade in the real world.
     
  • Banking on seaweed: A start-up company, FlexSea, has gained investment worth £3 million to help commercialise a range of sustainable packaging solutions it has developed based on plastics derived from seaweed.

IN TRAYS …

  • The winner is: ISHIDA’s new QX-500 tray sealer has won the Innovative Packaging Machinery category at this year’s PPMA Awards. The QX-500 is a compact tray sealer that fits easily into new and existing packing lines, offers “excellent” seal quality, high throughput, and helps meet sustainability targets.
     
  • Getting up to speed: Proseal has shone the spotlight on its GT line. It says: “Our high-speed machines are designed to evolve with your production scheme. This platform ensures that one machine can be outfitted to perform multiple seal cycles:”
  • Bubbling over: Packaging Automation has been teasing us with bubbles! The company has said: “We're bubbling with excitement! We’re supporting a major #bubbletea supplier with packaging options for a #bubbleteakit. Get ready to sip, stir, and enjoy the bubble tea experience at home. Stay tuned!

AT HOME …

KM’s pioneers talk about journey

The pioneers behind KM Packaging, Charles Smithson and Graham Holding, have taken a retrospective look at their remarkable journey spanning almost three decades with the business.

In a candid discussion, they delve into their inspirations, the hurdles they've overcome, and their aspirations for the future.

Welcome to Mike

We’re delighted to welcome Mike Aho to the KM team as Director for our North America division. More to follow soon!

Double AA grade with global recognition

KM Packaging continues to set the highest standards in product quality and safety. We have been awarded an AA grade in our BRCGS Audit for the sixth year. BRCGS is among the most globally recognised standards in the food industry, and AA is the highest announced audit grade that can be awarded.

AND FINALLY …

  • Cracked milk bottles: Under the headline “Proud to choose plastic”, Abel & Cole are boasting: “We’ve finally cracked our sustainable refillable milk bottles. It’s taken us three years. Seven teams of experts. Three failed experiments. But we’ve done it. Thanks to plastic.”
     
  • Newspaper hazards: For anyone who misses the days of takeaway food wrapped in newspapers, DMA has highlighted potential hazards. It seems eating food wrapped in newspapers can lead to various diseases and health problems due to ink contamination and harmful chemicals.
     
  • Market going to pot: The cannabis packaging market size is projected to increase by £4.86 billion by 2027, according to Technavio.

From the KM team … protecting, presenting, and preserving your products.

Read more

In our latest news

Mouth-watering packaging for weeknight meals

Read More
Visit Our Knowledge Hub

Latest News, Industry Insights, Snippets And More …

Newsletter Sign Up

Enquire Today

Make our KMKnowledge your knowledge

Sign up to receive our regular wrap-up of industry news, trends, insights, snippets, and more. And our newsletter direct to your inbox.
To read our data protection policy click here.







Submit