Mondi expands its sustainable packaging offer with ‘Grow&Go’, protecting fresh produce from farm-to-shelf


Mondi, a global leader in packaging and paper, has created a range of fit-for-purpose packaging solutions to protect and transport fresh produce from farm-to-shelf-to-home safely, efficiently and conveniently. Grow&Go encapsulates the spirit of Mondi Corrugated Solutions’ new product portfolio for the fresh fruit and vegetable industry. Key to its appeal is the wide range of available options, covering everything from heavy bulk shipments to light fruit and vegetable assortments for on-shelf display.

“Steep demand increases are on the horizon for small portion packaging,” explains Jan Blankiewicz, Product Innovation Manager at Mondi Corrugated Solutions: ”Small portion packs offer many benefits to the end consumer, such as providing the product to be taken directly from the shelf in its packaging without the fresh produce being touched. They also make the shopping experience more convenient – no more fussing with scales or sachets – and they protect fragile items like tomatoes for the trip home.” The World Star award-winning Coral Tray, offering hassle-free handling, protection, ventilation and visibility for up to a kilo of produce, is one of several Grow&Go solutions fulfilling this need.

The Grow&Go range offers important logistic advantages, starting at delivery with the space saving afforded by palletised flat corrugated packaging. After assembly and filling, all packaging options are perfectly stackable and tough enough to prevent damage and waste. After reaching their final destination they are easily pressed or folded for disposal in the recycling bin. Paper recycling in Europe is a success story, with 83% of paper and board packaging recovered for recycling[1]. The entire Grow&Go portfolio complies with food contact standards, and is made entirely of paper. A recent life cycle assessment study showed that recyclable corrugated boxes had a lower environmental impact than reusable plastic crates in 10 out of 15 life cycle impact categories, including climate change and resource use[2].

“The latest trends as well as legislation have propelled the move away from plastic packaging for fresh produce. It is also more appealing for customers to receive their produce in sustainable, fully recyclable packaging, made only of paper, starch and glue. Grow&Go’s high-quality corrugated board, often enhanced with sustainable water-resistant and water-absorbing technology, is in many cases a compelling alternative to PE coated solutions,” says Tarik Aniba, Sales & Marketing Director for Mondi Corrugated Solutions.

[1] FEFCO. (2022). Recycling vs Reuse for Packaging. https://www.fefco.org/sites/default/files/2022/FEFCO_Visual_Overview_v8.1.pdf

[2] FEFCO: Recycling vs Reuse for Packaging.