Plastic-Free Packaging in Catering
- Karine Morel
- [wpcode id="48710"]
Table of content
Collective catering is at a turning point.
Driven by the EGalim and AGEC laws, traditional models based on single-use plastic are gradually disappearing, giving way to new requirements: sustainability, food safety, and industrial performance.
But on the ground, reality is more complex.
How can kitchens continue to operate at high speed, ensure meal quality, and manage logistics… while eliminating plastic?
👉 This is precisely the challenge that CGP Coating Innovation addresses by developing technical paper packaging solutions, designed for a realistic and immediately operational transition.
1- Regulatory constraints reshaping practices
Since 2025, a new milestone has been reached. Central kitchens must now integrate:
- The ban on plastic containers for cooking, reheating, and serving
- The obligation to use durable, safe, food-contact-compatible materials
- Increased pressure to reduce packaging waste and improve recyclability
👉 In practice, models are rapidly evolving toward:
- Paper or cellulose trays
- Reusable stainless steel or aluminum containers
But a major operational challenge immediately arises:
➡️ How to close, protect, and transport these new plastic-free containers while maintaining industrial performance?
2- PACKOKRAFT®: paper lids replacing plastic film on cardboard trays
In production lines, lidding remains a key step. With the switch to paper trays, traditional plastic films are no longer suitable.
This is where PACKOKRAFT® comes into play.
👉 Application : lidding of paper trays
Designed for demanding industrial environments, PACKOKRAFT® allows you to :
- Ensure a reliable airtight seal
- Preserve food (barrier against grease, moisture, etc.)
- Guarantee stability during transport and distribution
- Operate on existing lidding machines
✔️ Key benefits for central kitchens :
- Maintain production speeds
- Integrate without major line modifications
- Reduce plastic without losing performance
👉 Result: a smooth transition to paper, with no operational disruption.
3- BANDOKRAFT®: securing aluminum trays without plastic
At the same time, aluminum trays remain essential for many applications:
- Large-scale cooking
- Hot or cold transport
- Collective catering distribution
Traditionally, these trays are sealed with stretch plastic film.
👉 A practice now being questioned.
👉 Application : sealing aluminum trays
BANDOKRAFT® offers a simple and effective paper alternative to :
- Close trays without plastic
- Keep products in place during transport
- Secure logistical flows
✔️ Operational advantages :
- Elimination of plastic over-packaging
- Quick and intuitive implementation
- Compatible with existing practices
👉 A robust solution, immediately deployable on-site.
4- Reuse or optimized single-use: moving beyond the theoretical debate
Reuse is essential in some cases, particularly for home delivery.
But in central kitchens, its implementation can be complex:
- Organizing returns and washing
- Significant equipment investment
- Adapting teams and workflows
👉 In reality, the transition often requires a hybrid approach.
Solutions like PACKOKRAFT® and BANDOKRAFT® allow kitchens to:
- Act immediately
- Significantly reduce plastic
- Without deeply transforming operations
5- From regulatory compliance to operational efficiency
EGalim and AGEC are not just obligations. They accelerate an ongoing transformation: towards more responsible—and smarter—packaging.
The most successful players will be those able to:
- Quickly adapt their processes
- Test practical solutions
- Combine sustainability with operational efficiency
👉 In this context:
- PACKOKRAFT® provides a reliable solution for lidding paper trays
- BANDOKRAFT® simplifies sealing aluminum trays without plastic
🎯 Goal: sustainably reduce plastic while ensuring performance, food safety, and industrial continuity.
👉 Interested in testing these solutions on your lines?
Our teams can help you evaluate and adapt these alternatives to your operational constraints.
Our team will help you find the solution that meets your needs.