Clipless net packaging eliminates metal fasteners and simplifies recycling

Sorma Group, a leading technical partner for fruit and vegetable post-harvest processing, has unveiled a significant innovation in net packaging at the 32nd edition of Fruit Logistica. This new system combines sustainability, durability, recyclability, and operational efficiency in a single solution. Sorma Group showcased the Sorma Clipless: a packaging made entirely of plastic mono-material at the Berlin Trade Fair. Its key innovation lies in the elimination of metal clippings as well as a greater durability compared to the more expensive and heavier plastic alternatives currently available on the market.

Mono-material structure simplifies recycling and packaging operations

The mono-material structure (meaning both net and label are composed of the same HDPE2 polymer) simplifies both end-of-life waste management and packaging operations. Regarding environmental and social impact, Sorma Clipless encourages responsible consumer behaviour. Thus, allowing the entire pack to be disposed of in plastic recycling without the need to separate different materials, thereby improving the actual circularity of the packaging.

In parallel, this innovation delivers significant operational ad vantages during the packaging phase. The absence of metal closures or other accessory materials relieves operators of the need to manage and replace consumables, allowing the packaging machine to achieve higher productivity reaching speeds of up to 30 packs per minute. This results in greater continuity in the packaging process and superior ease of use for the machinery.

Furthermore, the solution is extremely versatile and durable, making it suitable for packaging various types of fruit and vegetables. Formats range from 500g up to 3kg, a higher weight capacity than currently available on the market, while maintaining the same ease of handling and high-quality presentation found in traditional packaging.

Finally, Sorma Clipless offers more space for branding: the label's graphic area is extended to a length of 160mm, which can be customized to boost brand and product visibility on the shelf. The netting is also available in various colours, ensuring a polished look consistent with the client’s established branding.

Mario Mercadini, Marketing Manager at the company, says:

"This innovation was developed for the European market, where the growing focus on environmental sustainability and the simplification of the packaging processes are key competitive factors. However, the technical and functional characteristics of the packaging do not limit its application to this region; they make it potentially suitable for international markets that share similar requirements for efficiency, recyclability, and reduced environmental impact."

About Sorma Group

Sorma Group was founded in 1973. It is currently the world's only corporate group able to offer a turnkey solution comprising the entire line of machines required to automatically grade, weigh and pack fruit and vegetable products, together with supply of the technical material for creating all forms of packaging. It offers more than 160 automatic machine models, protected by 60 patents entirely developed by an in-house team of 35 engineers. More than 30 fruit and vegetable products can be graded and presented with the utmost precision and reliability to effectively respond to the increasingly demanding needs of large-scale distribution. The Group has its own operations centres in Italy, Spain, Germany, France, Turkey, the Netherlands, the USA, Morocco, Chile, Peru and Brazil. Alongside these subsidiaries, there are also 40 specialist distributors operating at the global level.