ANL Plastics - Thermoformed Plastic Food Packaging

ANL Plastics develops and produces thermoformed plastic packaging. The company is completely integrated, offering services ranging from film extrusion, mould design and construction through to the thermoforming of rigid packaging. A few years ago, ANL Plastics obtained BRC certification.

FOOD AND RETAIL PLASTIC PACKAGING SOLUTIONS

Originally specialising in supply to the confectionery and biscuits industries, the business has expanded to meet the demands of other markets. As a response to this expansion ANL Plastics focuses the marketing of its thermoformed products in the areas of industrial food packaging, retail packaging and solutions for consumer goods and technical applications.

Apart from thermoforming polypropylene, PET, polystyrene, high-density polyethylene and co-extruded materials, ANL Plastics offers several biodegradable materials such as PLA, ANL Bio A and Plantic.

ANL Plastics has a reputation as a supplier focusing on innovation and creativity, resulting in own branded concepts such as Visiopac and Piramyd.

THERMOFORMED PRINTED FILMS

To replace single colour trays, printed films for thermoforming have been developed. These create an attractive background for a range of possible applications. Using this technique, ANL Plastics creates a different style of product presentation and an extra tool for promotional offers.

The possibilities offered by these films include children’s biscuits on a background of cartoon figures, Christmas presents in a tinsel decorated tray, a flower printed tray to display chocolates for Mother’s day, in fact the possibilities are almost endless.

ANL Plastics successfully produced a Microsoft Viva Pinata limited edition game pack. Although this project proved something of a challenge for production(as the embossing had to fit the printed design on the film very closely) the result was a masterpiece in the field of thermoforming.

This project has opened doors for ANL Plastics to continue down this high tech road and offer more unique, eye-catching designs for the future.

VISIOPAC: DOME-PACKAGING FOR MEALS

ANL Plastics carries the evolution of the Visiopac convenience concept one step further. The company developed the Visiopac ALU pack, suitable for ready meals. The manufacturer of the aluminium foil base is Nicholl Food Packaging. This set consists of an aluminium tray, a crystal clear PET lid, which can be anti-fog treated and a printed tamper evident sealing ring.

Originally the Visiopac concept was introduced as an innovative dome packaging, made of either PET or PP, following the demand of the customer and the purpose of the pack. Assets of the original Visiopac concept were the extended shelf life of the meals (MAP), the original presentation in 3D and the possibility to personalize the printed sealing ring.

In an era where visual communication becomes more and more important, the tampered-evident ring is an additional communication and marketing tool. All information needed is on one label. Furthermore, the concept gives a premium range image to the content.

HYGENIC READY MEAL CONTAINERS

The main new advantage of the Visiopac ALU is that dishes can be cooked in the tray, in a traditional oven, after removing the ring and the lid. This concept suits both ready meals and ready to cook dishes. It also guarantees perfect hygiene and less handling than any other container.

The Visiopac ALU wrapping takes profit from ANL Plastics’ technical know-how in the field of dome packaging, Nicholl Food Packaging, a well-established specialist in the field of aluminium trays and Sealpac, approved supplier in the sealing machinery.

With production sites in Wellen, Belgium and Cahors, France, and logistic hubs in the UK, Ireland and the Czech Republic, the company can serve its customers within 48 hours.