Nestlé Purina PetCare to Introduce world-first recyclable retort pouch for wet pet food

• Purina is introducing the first mono-material retort pouch in the pet food industry, leading in pet food packaging innovation.
• In an industry first, this pouch can be used throughout the heating and sterilization process at factory level, guaranteeing product quality.
• Nestlé – and all its businesses, including Purina –is committed to introducing reusable or recyclable packaging on all of its products by 2025.

Purina has launched a first-of-its-kind recyclable flexible plastic packaging for wet pet food, beginning this month.

The innovation will be first introduced under the Felix brand in the Netherlands as part of a year- long pilot. 

This new pouch addresses a key challenge -  to simplify plastic structures in order to make them recyclable, without compromising on the functionalities of food-grade packaging.

The packaging, which is made of Polypropylene (PP) allows the pet food pouches to be lightweight and recyclable, while being high-heat resistant and equipped with the appropriate product barrier properties. 

Polypropylene (PP) can be recycled in existing plastic recycling streams in a number of European countries, including in the Netherlands, where this product is being launched.

Currently in the UK only 16%[1] of councils collect flexible plastic. We therefore recognise simplifying plastic structures in our packaging is only part of what we need to do. Alongside working on innovations that make our packaging easier to recycle, we are also committed to working collaboratively and collectively with industry and government to develop and improve the flexible plastic recycling infrastructure in the UK, so that together we can increase the amount of flexible packaging that is currently collected and recycled.

Alison Bramfitt Group Packaging Manager for Nestlé UK&I

The pilot will take place from September 2020 to September 2021   with the Netherlands’ largest retailer – Albert Heijn – and pouches will be sold in a fully recyclable cardboard box which is, itself, made of 80 per cent recycled paper and will contain 6 x Beef and 6 x Chicken pouches.

We want to contribute to creating a world where pets and people can thrive, and initiatives like this support our goal of offering food that is good for pets, and the planet. This latest innovation on Felix pouch is a significant step forward in our drive to deliver recyclable or reusable packaging on all of our products by 2025.

Bernard Meunier Nestlé Purina Petcare EMENA CEO

As well as reducing the complexity of packaging, Purina is also exploring innovations including new paper-based materials and piloting reusable packaging systems where customers can bring their own containers to fill with dry food.

- ENDS -

Notes to editors
¹Recoup UK Household Plastics Collection Survey 2019

Plans for further trials and roll-outs will be assessed after this trial.

Purina PetCare EMENA (Europe, Middle East, North Africa) believes that pets and people are better together and is committed to helping pets live longer, happier and healthier lives through proper nutrition and care. For over 120 years, Purina has been one of the pioneers in providing nutritious and palatable products made to the highest standards of quality and safety. 

The Purina portfolio includes many of the best-known and best-loved pet foods including FELIX®, Purina ONE®, Gourmet® and Purina PRO PLAN®. Purina’s passion for pets goes beyond the advancement of pet nutrition and in 2016 Purina PetCare Europe launched the 10 Purina in Society commitments to have a positive impact on pets and society, including promoting pet adoption, pets in the workplace and helping to reduce the risk of pet obesity.

For more information, visit the Purina website: www.purina.co.uk

For more information, please contact the Nestlé UK press office at nestleukpressoffice@uk.nestle.com or call us on 020 8667 6005. 

Nestlé is the world’s largest food and beverage company.With more than 2000 brands ranging from global icons to localfavourites, we are present in 191 countries around the world. www.nestle.co.uk 

Follow our UK and Ireland team Follow us on Twitter @NestleUKI