Desto destined for success

A new ready meal packaging format is attracting interest from leading supermarkets, thanks to a unique design that offers greater convenience and has environmental credentials, says its UK manufacturer Intelligent Packaging Solutions.

The firm has already landed a contract with Tesco for its Desto cup, which is to be used in the retailer’s Tesco’s Piing chilled ready meal range.

The Desto cup is a combination of a lightweight, clear plastic inlet made from polypropylene and a paperboard outer sleeve, incorporating a cut out window for increased product visibility.

“Although this packaging is well established in the dairy and horticultural markets, it has never been suitable for microwave use,” says IPS sales and marketing manager Gerard Connolly. “We redesigned the pack to make it suitable for hot fill, freezing and microwave heating – meaning it can be taken from the fridge or freezer and put straight into the microwave.”

The pack is also 66% lighter compared to conventional, injection mould pack formats, says IPS, with the paperboard sleeve made from renewable resources.