Solidus has announced the rollout of Futurline Heat&Eat, a new trademarked range of fibre-based modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) trays engineered specifically for ready meals that can be heated directly in microwaves, conventional ovens, and air fryers.

Designed to support both chilled and frozen meal applications, the innovative packaging solution bridges the gap between high-performance product preservation, consumer convenience, and aggressive plastic-reduction targets for food manufacturers and retailers.

Multi-appliance convenience and extended shelf life

As consumer lifestyles increasingly drive demand for quick-preparation meals, expectations for packaging functionality have evolved. Futurline Heat&Eat addresses this by combining the protective capabilities of traditional modified atmosphere packaging with universal heat-and-eat versatility.

The trays maintain the protective atmosphere inside the pack, ensuring optimal freshness and extended shelf life for perishable meal applications throughout cold-chain distribution. Once the product reaches the consumer, the tray supports direct heating across multiple modern cooking appliances — including microwaves, conventional ovens, and air fryers — offering seamless convenience without requiring repackaging.

Plastic reduction and dual-stream recyclability

For food producers under pressure to cut plastic consumption and comply with evolving sustainability regulations, Futurline Heat&Eat delivers robust ecological credentials including:

• Plastic savings: compared to conventional plastic MAP trays, the solution utilises up to 90% less plastic.

• Recovered and certified fibres: the trays are manufactured from solid board composed of more than 90% recovered fibre, with options available in FSC- and PEFC-certified materials.

• Simple end-of-life separation: after use, consumers can easily peel away the barrier film from the tray. The film is directed into plastic recycling streams, while the solid board tray is fully compatible with standard paper recycling systems.

Designed for industrial efficiency and line compatibility

Beyond environmental and consumer benefits, Solidus designed Futurline Heat&Eat to integrate smoothly into existing manufacturing environments. The trays are fully compatible with standard tray-sealing equipment, allowing food packers to adopt the fibre-based format with minimal adjustments to their current packaging lines.

Furthermore, the moisture-resistant solid board construction provides robust structural strength and dimensional stability during rigorous storage, transport, and distribution cycles. Enhanced with high-quality offset printing capabilities for superior shelf appeal, the trays deliver both operational reliability and eye-catching retail presentation for brands looking to future-proof their ready meal portfolios.