The new PolarDuo 700-2 tray, with dimensions of 260x185x40 mm, has two compartments of equal size and the area in between the compartments is wide enough to seal both compartments separately. Thus, the tray can be easily cut in two and the consumer can warm up only one portion, saving the remaining one for later use.

For effective brand communication PolarDuo trays offer excellent printability and enable pictures and text on all four sides as well as on the base. Any additional packaging such as sleeves, labels or carton boxes are not needed, and this keeps the packaging cost to minimum. In addition, PolarDuo trays are sealed with a unique peelable and printable PET film, which is also oven and microwave safe. The top film is not punctured nor removed prior to heating, which only increases the pressure inside the tray and speeds up the warming of the meal.

Developing the new two-compartment PolarDuo 700-2 tray was a challenging project for the NPD team in Huhtamaki Finland. Since the final product was quite high the tray needed to be 40 mm deep, which is not easy to achieve. To improve the solidity and appearance of the tray the outer rim is turned down, utilizing a technique commonly used with plastic trays.

"We believe that this novel PolarDuo packaging will open a lot of new opportunities for Huhtamaki's customers in the future", concludes Kristian Blomqvist, Regional Category Sales & Marketing Manager in Fresh Foods.