produits de la mer - n°200 - Avril-mai 2020 - 88

Actu ❘ AU QUOTIDIEN ❘ L'INNOVATION

Storopack launches the Seaclic range

CHRISTIAN BELLIER
HEAD OF DEVELOPMENT AT STOROPACK
(MOLDING DIVISION).
The new product was designed in collaboration with a design firm and professionals in the
field and the choice was made to create a more
dynamic outline. Rounded corners disappear to be
replaced by chamfers. Technical parts, such as drai-

❘ 88 ❘

PRODUITS DE LA MER N°200 APRIL-MAY 2020

Dominique GUILLOT

▼

The concept
With the collaboration
of a design firm, Storopack
carried out 17 field surveys
in groups of fish wholesalers,
fishmongers, distributors...
then set up working groups
on different themes: Best
before date, folding boxes,
raw materials... The validation
process resulted in 80 different
concepts. About ten were
selected to go further in
the development.

The result
A range of several formats
and different types
of materials: Seaclic bio
(bio-based and compostable);
Seaclic (100% PSE); Seaclic
by the ChemCycling™ process
(100% PSE, recyclable).

The launch
The Seaclic range is currently
being launched in classic
industrial formats, as defined
with the Union du mareyage
français (UMF). At the
beginning of March, Storopack
did not yet communicate
on the price, which will
be higher than that of the
classic range.

Our environmental strategy
must be proactive."

[ Applied research ]

▼

Launched in the first half of 2020, Storopack's
Seaclic range revisits the traditional expanded
polystyrene (EPS) seafood box. It is the result of a
research initiated in 2017, which aims at protecting
the markets of this global giant and creating added
value. "Our markets remain sensitive because they
deal with fishing and the environment, reminds us
Christian Bellier, head of development at Storopack
(Molding Division). Our factories are food-processing oriented, or even single-market oriented, like
the ones in Pont-l'Abbé and Saint-Sébastien-surLoire. We have to be vigilant, hence the launch of a
Seafood company project."

nage holes for exudates, are "embedded" in the
gripping surface. The cover is designed to be clipped on making additional strapping unnecessary.
For the wholesaler, this choice limits waste and
the purchases of consumables. The overall shape
is ergonomic for the operators but also makes the
automation of the tasks possible and helps with
conveying. "Nevertheless it remains a convenience
product even if we have changed the design, reinforced ergonomics, strength and, of course, our
intention was also to limit the impact on the environment."
Among the three products in the range, biobased Seaclic, manufactured with the bioplastic
ecovio®, made from polylactic acid (PLA), by BASF,
the chemicals group, is industrially compostable
(standard EN 13432). Seafood boxes, soiled after
use, can only be used once to contain foodstuffs.
So it is well justified for these consommables to be
derived from plants and transformed into compost
at the end of their life. In the absence of a dedicated
collection channel, Storopack is studying the marketing of compact industrial composters, accessible
to supermarkets for example, which could process
ecovio® boxes in 24 hours.
The other new model in the range is the Seaclic
using the ChemCycling™ process. "We work on
the long circuit of circular economy, explains
Christian Bellier. By means of a chemical pyrolysis
process in which mixed and contaminated plastics are recycled, BASF makes it possible to produce a type of oil which is used as a new raw
material to recreate virgin EPS, and which is therefore food-safe."
"For many of the professionals interviewed
during the design process, the seafood box is a
convenience product, which must, above all, be
cheap and functional. Environmental protection
was not listed as a main priority, except by some
major retailers. But these issues are evolving rapidly and we must remain proactive. The prices will
be higher, but this range can be an asset, especially if regulations become more restrictive in
certain markets.
We are not really dealing with «onetime use» products, but the life of a
seafood box can be short. So we
are keeping several strings to
our bow in terms of environmental strategy: from ecodesign to composting and
recycling."

▼

In order to boost its markets
and to reverse the ill winds blowing
for the packaging in general,
Storopack has developed new
seafood boxes, including
a bio-based one.

produits de la mer - n°200 - Avril-mai 2020

Table des matières de la publication produits de la mer - n°200 - Avril-mai 2020