Graphic Packaging International has expanded its PaperSeal® portfolio with the launch of PaperSeal® Pressed, a breakthrough in modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) trays.
The innovation combines the cost advantages of pressed paperboard with the high-performance benefits of a hermetic seal, designed to meet the needs of price-sensitive fresh protein markets such as pork, poultry, and minced meat.
Unlike traditional plastic trays, PaperSeal Pressed reduces plastic use by around 85 percent. Made primarily from FSC®-certified paperboard, the tray is recyclable in household waste streams. A key advancement lies in its liner technology, which is applied after tray forming to overcome the challenge of micro-leakage—a barrier that previously limited pressed tray adoption in MAP applications. The result is a shelf life comparable to plastic alternatives.
“PaperSeal Pressed represents an exciting innovation in paperboard tray technology,” said Tom Garsed, general manager, Tray & Cup Solutions, International at Graphic Packaging. “Our engineers have solved what was previously considered an impossible challenge, creating an effective hermetic seal on a pressed paperboard tray. This creates new opportunities for brands and retailers to move away from plastic trays for fresh protein categories, where price sensitivity has made this a challenge.”
The new tray has been engineered for compatibility with existing form-fill-seal equipment, eliminating the need for capital investment while enhancing operational efficiency. In addition, PaperSeal Pressed offers ample branding space, with the option for high-quality print both inside and outside the tray—an advantage over plastic packaging that typically requires added labels or sleeves.
Graphic Packaging positions PaperSeal Pressed as an important step toward circularity, supporting its broader sustainability goals. By enabling brands and retailers to replace plastic trays across entry-level to premium offerings, the company aims to deliver functional, recyclable solutions that appeal to both customers and consumers.
Graphic Packaging International is a global provider of paperboard packaging solutions for food, beverage, foodservice, and consumer products. The company focuses on innovation and sustainability, offering renewable and recyclable packaging alternatives worldwide.
