Amcor , a global leader in responsible packaging solutions, has collaborated with French ready-meal specialist Cofigeo to design a bespoke three-compartment microwaveable tray for the new William Saurin Mon Trio Gourmand single-serve meal range. The packaging reflects both companies’ commitment to sustainability and consumer convenience, while also meeting rigorous technical and functional requirements.
The mono-material polypropylene (PP) tray has been designed according to Design for Recycling guidelines and is fully compatible with France’s existing recycling infrastructure. It features a lightweight, retortable structure and is made with a near-infrared (NIR) detectable terracotta masterbatch, ensuring recognition in automated sorting systems at recycling facilities.
Tailored for Variety and Function
The tray supports five French and Italian-inspired recipes, each featuring a protein (meat or fish), a starch, and a vegetable. Its three distinct compartments allow consumers the freedom to keep ingredients separate or mix them when eating—addressing a key preference highlighted in consumer testing.
Benjamin Margerand, Marketing Product Manager at William Saurin, noted:
“The ability to mix or keep the ingredients separate has resonated well with consumers. The tray’s practicality also encourages direct consumption—up to 80% of pre-launch testers said they would eat straight from the tray depending on the recipe. The terracotta color was also positively received.”
Engineering Excellence and Operational Compatibility
Developed in close collaboration with Cofigeo, the tray was custom-engineered to accommodate the varied textures and densities of ingredients while being compatible with existing filling lines, de-stackable, and delivering over 12 months of ambient shelf life thanks to its integrated oxygen barrier.
Jean-Michel Perquin, Group Packaging R&D Manager at Cofigeo, praised the technical execution:
“This was a challenging design, especially to achieve such thin walls given the tray’s shape. Amcor’s support helped us match the thickness of our standard single-compartment version. Despite the meal variety, the tray performs flawlessly on the production line.”
A Trusted, Long-Term Partnership
Cofigeo and Amcor share a long-standing relationship, strengthened through years of collaboration.
“Amcor has been a reliable partner, and their professionalism stood out during this development,” said Perquin. “Even when issues arose, they were quick to find the best technical solutions.”