kp’s recyclable fish boards boost VSP performance

Klöckner Pentaplast (kp) has introduced kp Evolve Fish Boards, a lightweight, mono‑material PET board range engineered specifically for vacuum skin packaging of processed fish.

The boards can contain up to 100% recycled content, meet UK and EU design‑for‑recycling requirements, and are compatible with high‑speed automated packing lines.

Fish processors are under pressure to reduce packaging waste, cut carbon impact and comply with tightening EPR and recyclability regulations across Europe. Traditional multi‑material boards and absorbent pads complicate recycling and increase costs. At the same time, retailers are demanding cleaner presentation, leak‑free packs and formats that run efficiently on automated lines. kp’s new boards directly address these operational and regulatory challenges.

The kp Evolve boards deliver several functional benefits for manufacturers:

• The mono‑PET construction reduces carbon impact, lowers EPR fees and ensures the entire pack can be recycled through established PET systems. The boards’ open‑flap design increases pallet efficiency, allowing more units per load and reducing transport emissions.
• A key innovation is the kp Zapora retention‑chamber geometry, which channels any released juices away from the fish surface into micro‑vacuum retention zones. This eliminates the need for absorbent pads, reduces leakage risk during distribution and keeps the product looking clean and premium on shelf.
• The reinforced central section improves strength and supports smooth running on high‑speed automated lines, while half‑moon cuts and engineered dips protect the vacuum film during sealing and enhance pack consistency.

The boards are designed for fish processors seeking reliable VSP performance and reduced leakage; retailers demanding cleaner presentation and recyclable formats; brands aiming to cut carbon impact and meet EPR obligations; and operations teams needing packaging that denests cleanly and runs efficiently on automated lines

kp positions the Evolve Fish Boards as a commercially ready, drop‑in solution that supports both sustainability and operational efficiency. When combined with kp’s Tray2Tray recycled PET, the boards can contribute to a closed‑loop system for food trays, strengthening brand sustainability claims and reducing exposure to plastic taxes.

kp says the launch reflects its commitment to “sustainable protection of everyday needs,” advancing circularity through high‑recycled‑content packaging that maintains performance. The company highlights that the boards are engineered to meet the needs of modern, automated fish‑processing lines while supporting retailers’ recyclability targets.

The introduction of recyclable mono‑PET fish boards represents a significant shift for vacuum‑packaged seafood. Manufacturers gain cleaner packs, fewer leaks, lower EPR fees, improved logistics efficiency and a fully recyclable format — all without compromising vacuum‑skin performance.