The innovative mushroom trays from Flexpack are currently receiving an overwhelming response. "These kraftliner-coated trays are ideal for contact with moist food. This helps massively to reduce transport expenses along the supply chain. The solution is not only used for the commercially available button mushrooms but also for cultivated and wild mushrooms of all kinds," says Tobias Kärst, managing director of the packaging manufacturer Flexpack GmbH.
The innovative trays were presented for the first time at expoSE in Karlsruhe, where the company, based in nearby Rastatt, has been exhibiting for years. Kärst: "Immediately after the trade fair, we received numerous inquiries, including from the food retail trade. Since the official market launch in January 2025, we have already sold over three million units."
Tobias Kärst at the expoSE 2024.
Rising prices in the packaging sector
Another highlight in the Flexpack range is the popular corrugated paper baskets. "Interestingly, the smaller baskets in particular are selling very well, while the larger variants are less in demand from customers. Furthermore, we have noticed that fruit and vegetable packaging is still available, while there are massive problems in covering the existing demand for egg boxes made of fiber paper and the like," continues Kärst.
On the other hand, the rising material costs affect the entire packaging sector, the expert points out. "In the paper sector, we have observed a sharp price increase since the beginning of February. I don't see any relief in the near future, but rather an upward trend. According to the EUWID price index, the trend in paper is sharply rising. Incidentally, this also applies to recycled plastic." In Kärst's opinion, the longer-term forecasts are not particularly promising either. "According to analyses, waste paper will become scarce in five to ten years because hardly any newspapers are being read. Seen in this light, there could be a paper battle in the truest sense of the word."
The innovative mushroom trays from Flexpack.
Well-equipped for the future
Nevertheless, the Rastatt-based company is well-equipped for the future with a wide range of solutions, emphasizes Kärst. "We are on the right track and are constantly working on new solutions. Our grass paper banderole for asparagus was very well received in the asparagus-growing region of North Rhine-Westphalia and can now also be found in food retail stores. We also recently started offering corrugated trays with cut-outs. This was developed at the request of a tomato grower and is now about to be launched on the market."
Photo credit: FPS Flexpack GmbH
For more information:
Tobias Kärst
FPS Flexpack GmbH
Lochfeldstrasse 29
76437 Rastatt
Tel: +49 7222 96780-10
Fax: +49 7222 96780-20
[email protected]
www.flexpack.de