Rexam Food Containers has recently won a contract with major food producer, Scandia Food in Romania to supply high-barrier plastic containers for an exciting new range of ambient vegetarian pates and soups, under the 'Velicia' brand name. Scandia Food is the leading meat canning company in Romania with a market share of over 63% by volume (MEMRB April - May 2011). Its largest category is liver pate but other products include canned meat-based ready meals. Its brand names also include Scandia Sibiu, Bucegi and Sadu.

Alexandra Bucur, Velicia Brand Manager, said: "As part of the company's recent rebranding initiative, we wanted to launch new products, in new markets and attract new customers. A logical step was to move into added-value, healthy, convenience vegetable products. In order to differentiate our new product range, we wanted to find a packaging format that was modern, dynamic, user-friendly and hygienic, but could be packed on our existing can filling and processing lines, with minimum investment. The answer was Rexam's range of high-barrier plastic containers which gives the products high consumer visibility and impact and a shelf-life of at least one year. We can also use our existing manufacturing equipment and close the packs with double-seamed easy-open metal ends. The containers are microwaveable so the soups can be heated without the need for any cooking utensils and are ideal for people eating 'on the go'."
 
The Rexam stock 83mm diameter polypropylene bowls have been produced using Rexam's unique Rotary ThermoForming (RTF) technology. The containers, formed in the melt-phase so there is no in-built stress, have superior retort and barrier performance and are decorated with high-gloss shrink sleeves providing vibrant shelf-appeal.

Rexam's European Sales and Marketing Director, Nick Brewin, said: "We are delighted to be working with Scandia Food and, in doing so, bringing our products to the Romanian and Eastern European markets. Scandia wanted their products to be very exciting and different, but also easy for both the producer and customer to use. Our stock range of high-barrier bowls, designed around the standard can sizes of 99mm and 83mm, suited the project ideally."