Kraft Heinz introduces first 100 % recyclable ketchup cap with help from Berry Global
The launch by Kraft Heinz Company of its first 100 % recyclable cap for its famous squeezy ketchup bottle demonstrates the collaborative achievement utilizing the innovative design and manufacturing capabilities of Berry Global in supporting retail brands with a move towards more sustainable packaging solutions .
Historically , Heinz sauce bottles used a flexible silicone valve to deliver a consistent portion of sauce per squeeze , but this was often challenging to recycle . Together with Berry Global Heinz has now switched to a mono-material cap , manufactured in PP . This means it meets requirements for recyclability .
The project has been eight years , 45 prototypes and more than 185,000 hours in development , to ensure the optimum balance between functionality and sustainability . Berry was involved through the design and production process , from concept to the creation of the series tools in Berry ’ s in-house tool shop , as well as the development of the assembly equipment for industrial production .
Heinz followed a rigorous testing procedure to make sure the cap met the highest quality standards . An extended consumer survey confirmed that the new concept would be well received by the public , as it dispenses the same perfect amount of sauce every time without affecting the squeezability .
In fact , the study found that the new cap design helps consumers squeeze more ketchup out of the bottle when it is nearly empty – a testament to Berry ’ s ability to look holistically at the overall solution to improve the cap ’ s performance alongside its recyclability .
72 FDPP - www . fdpp . co . uk
The project has been eight years , 45 prototypes and more than 185,000 hours in development , to ensure the optimum balance between functionality and sustainability .
The concept won Rigid Pack of the Year for Kraft Heinz at the 2023 UK Packaging Awards .
Matthias Hammersen , Sales Director – Food Market at Berry Global , commented : “ Heinz set us the kind of challenge that suits us and our development departments best : to reconstruct the design of the cap to make it 100 % recyclable , without affecting the performance that millions of consumers know and love . We ’ re delighted that the finished result exceeds our initial expectations and actually improves the consumer experience .”
The caps are being rolled out UK-wide on 400ml and bigger
top-down bottles of Heinz Tomato Ketchup , including 50 % Less Sugar and Salt varieties . In the future , the cap will also be rolled out across more of the Heinz sauces range in the U . K . and Europe .
Heinz claims the move to the recyclable cap will save a potential 300 million plastic lids from being sent to landfill every year globally .
Jojo de Noronha , President of Kraft Heinz Northern Europe , said : ““ We know our consumers care about their impact on the environment and so do we , which is why we ’ re delighted to see our innovative , more sustainable caps on Heinz Tomato Ketchup bottles across the UK . Although a small change , this makes it easy for the millions of Heinz lovers across the country to recycle their whole squeezy bottle at once – a small action with big potential for impact .”
Learn more about Berry Global ’ s range of plastic caps and closures suitable for various applications .
www . berryglobal . com