Ilip, a specialist in sustainable food packaging and a company of the Ilpa Group, has announced major updates to its fresh food packaging portfolio.

Showcasing its latest innovations ahead of Cibus Tec 2026, the company is introducing advanced tray formats, new sustainable material options, and proprietary mechanical exudate management technologies designed to optimise both operational efficiency and environmental performance.

​The latest developments focus on three core lines — HeatSealingMaster, StretchMaster, and SliceMaster — reinforcing Ilip’s commitment to eco-design principles that pair resource reduction and recycled content integration with uncompromising functional performance.

​Advanced exudate management

​A key highlight of the expansion is the introduction of the new Macrocell bottom, available in MT230 and MT250 formats within the HeatSealingMaster range. Engineered for applications requiring high-capacity fluid handling, Macrocell complements ILIP’s established Microcell technology.

​Both systems integrate mechanical absorption directly into the bottom of the tray. By capturing and retaining meat, fish, and poultry exudates within the tray structure itself, the design eliminates the need for traditional, separate absorbent pads, streamlining the packaging process and improving end-of-life material recovery.

​Enhancements across core ranges

• ​HeatSealingMaster: designed for modified-atmosphere packaging (MAP) and general fresh food sealing, the range is available in Evo (monomaterial PET), Duo (PET/PE), and Bio (EN 13432-certified compostable bioplastic) versions. New additions include the M230 8-Hamburger and 1/2 Gastro formats, significantly broadening its application scope for meat, prepared meals, and fresh produce.
• ​StretchMaster: tailored for automatic packaging lines using stretch film or flow pack, the range now includes a new 195 × 144 mm format. Offered in high-recycled-content monomaterial PET and compostable bioplastic, the Evo variant can also be equipped with the Microcell bottom.
• ​SliceMaster: Completing the offering, this line features specialised heat-sealable trays utilising an m R-PET/EVOH/PE barrier structure, specifically optimised for modified-atmosphere packaging of cold cuts, sliced meats, and cheese.

​Balancing sustainability with performance standards

​”In food packaging, sustainability cannot be separated from performance,” notes Giovanni Donini, business manager foodservice packaging & fresh food packaging at Ilip. “Reducing a tray’s weight or increasing its recycled material content only makes sense if the product continues to deliver the required levels of safety, preservation, and reliability on packaging lines. That is why we work to optimise materials and structures, with the aim of using resources more efficiently without compromising packaging functionality.”

​This philosophy is underpinned by the Ilpa Group’s vertically integrated T2T R-PET (tray-to-tray) circular model. Through closed-loop recycling operations, ILIP utilises secondary raw materials sourced not only from traditional bottles but also from post-consumer food trays and punnets. Today, Ilip’s R-PET packaging incorporates an average of approximately 80% recycled material, successfully closing the loop while ensuring strict food-contact safety and traceability.

​Industry professionals can explore the expanded packaging range firsthand at Cibus Tec 2026, taking place from October 27 to 30 at Fiere di Parma (Hall 2, Stand E020).