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Case
Ecoologic: The Perfect Catch In Cold Chain Fish Packaging
With upcoming EU legislation (PPWR) phasing out polystyrene (EPS) packaging, the seafood industry faces an urgent challenge: how to keep fish well-insulated during air freight without using polystyrene. To help solve this, Mark from Smart Packaging Solutions turned to Us. We had worked together before on a postharvest solution for grapes shipped from South Africa. That successful collaboration laid the foundation for a new innovation: the Ecoologic box. A sustainable, waterproof insulation box for chilled seafood exports.
Seafood
Why the industry needs an EPS alternative
Today, most fresh fish is still transported in EPS boxes. While effective for insulation, EPS is difficult to recycle, bulky, and increasingly restricted by environmental regulations.
Smart Packaging Solutions saw the need for a recyclable, waterproof box that could match the thermal performance of EPS, but with a much smaller environmental footprint. They needed a solution that was suitable for air freight, resistant to leaks, and fully compliant with the upcoming PPWR standards.
From idea to test-ready: collaborating on the Ecoologic concept
Inter Fresh Concepts already had a portfolio of high-performance insulation solutions. For this project, the team selected Recycold Climaliner technology from Ranpak. A paper-based, recyclable insulation liner designed for chilled goods.
Together with Ranpak, we conducted extensive performance tests. The goal was to ensure reliable temperature control, even under extreme air-freight conditions. The results exceeded expectations: Similair insulation performance compared to the traditional Polystyrene boxes.
The result: A cardboard-based, waterproof and recyclable packaging solution: Ecoologic
Ready for real-world testing
The concept is now fully developed and test-ready. Inter Fresh Concepts and Smart Packaging Solutions are currently looking for partners in the seafood industry to join the final pilot phase. Field testing can start immediately.
“We have the solution ready, now we need a logistics or seafood partner who wants to help prove it in practice,”
Interested in testing Ecoologic?
Are you a seafood exporter, logistics provider, or retail supplier looking to move away from EPS? We’re looking for partners to bring the Ecoologic solution to the field.
Get in touch to request a sample or discuss a pilot project.
Read other success stories
When premium tuna is your core product, packaging isn’t just a technical step, it’s part of the value. At Jan van As, a specialist in high-end seafood, quality control is everything. For over 12 years, Inter Fresh Concepts has been their trusted partner in developing packaging solutions that protect that quality from production to delivery.
Together, we've built what Stefan from the tuna department calls “one of the best tuna packaging concepts on the market today.”
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