PACKAGING “It’s
PACKAGING “It’s vital that businesses in the pet food sector act now to ensure their packaging is ready to meet the new requirements,” says Maisonnial. “At Mondi, we’re actively supporting our partners to adapt – providing tailored, regulation-compliant solutions that are both practical and sustainable.” The power of retort pouches Innovation in retort packaging has been a game changer for the wet pet food sector. Retort pouches offer an excellent combination of long shelf life, product protection, and convenience – and now, thanks to advances in mono-material technology, they can be recyclable too. Mondi’s RetortPouch range has already seen considerable uptake in the European market. Photo: Mondi Group Com re loop FlexiBag Product in use could be made with minimal disruption to operations. Preparing for the PPWR The European Union’s PPWR, which came into force on 11 February 2025, has ushered in a new era of environmental responsibility for the packaging industry. The regulation introduces tighter rules for all types of packaging, including pet food formats, with key milestones over the coming years: • From 2026, new limits for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) will apply to all packaging in direct contact with food. • From January 2030, only packaging that is classed as recyclable will be allowed on the EU market – formats that cannot be recycled will be banned. • By 2030, plastic packaging must contain a certain amount of recycled material. For contact-sensitive packaging made from non-PET materials, this means a minimum of 10% post-consumer recycled content. • Packaging design must also avoid excess – weight and volume must be kept to the absolute minimum required to ensure functionality. “Every year, approximately 280,000 tonnes of wet pet food are packaged in our mono-material retort pouches across Europe – enough to feed more than seven million cats,” says Maisonnial. Mondi’s vertically integrated value chain plays a crucial role. With in-house capabilities for everything from film production and coating to pouch converting, the company ensures quality, consistency, and traceability throughout the process. “Importantly, our re/cycle RetortPouch is compatible with existing filling equipment, enabling speeds of up to 400 pouches per minute,” Maisonnial adds. “That means our customers don’t need to invest in new machinery to benefit from more sustainable packaging.” These pouches also offer strong protection against light, oxygen, and moisture – key factors in maintaining flavour and quality. Their optimised shape reduces material use without sacrificing functionality or shelf appeal. Additionally, versions made with ISCC Plus-certified chemically recycled content are already available for customers looking to further boost circularity. Technology & Marketing For more information www.mondi.com 40 Technology & Marketing
Zoomark Welcomes the Incredible Dr. Pol MARKETING A Landmark Collaboration for Pet & Animal Care! A special guest at Zoomark 2025 on May 5 th and 6 th 2025 Zoomark is delighted to announce the exclusive attendance of Dr. Jan Pol, the world-renowned veterinarian and star of National Geographic’s hit TV series The Incredible Dr. Pol, in collaboration with Belgian company, Mijten NV, a familyowned animal nutrition specialist with over 85 years of experience in developing high-quality feed for pets and livestock. As a leading international trade show for pet food and pet care professionals, Zoomark is committed to bringing industry experts, innovators, and passionate pet lovers together. Dr. Pol’s presence at Zoomark 2025 in BolognaFiere, Italy, on May 5 th and 6 th 2025, marks an exciting opportunity to connect with one of the most trusted voices in veterinary medicine worldwide. This will also be a unique chance to discover the brand-new Dr. Pol pet food and chicken feed lines developed by Dr. Pol and Mijten. Debuting for the first time exclusively at Zoomark, these premium dog and cat foods and chicken feeds are manufactured in Europe for European consumers. "We are excited to collaborate with Dr. Pol and Mijten, whose lifelong commitment to animal welfare aligns perfectly with our mission to promote excellence in the pet care industry. We are happy to help bring his expertise and vision to the European market," says Pascale Sonvico, Show Office and Sales Manager of Zoomark. Strengthening the Pet Care Industry Dr. Pol’s visit to ZOOMARK marks the exciting expansion of his premium pet food line into the European market. In partnership with Mijten, a leading Belgian manufacturer of highquality animal nutrition, the Dr. Pol brand is bringing its science-backed, veterinarian-influenced nutrition to pets and farm animals across Europe. "I am excited to be at Zoomark 2025 to meet industry professionals, animal lovers and partners who share my passion for animal health and wellbeing. Nutrition plays a crucial role in the health and longevity of animals, and I am thrilled to introduce our highquality, affordable feed products to the European market," says Dr. Pol. Technology & Marketing Photo: Zoomark Meet & Greet with Dr. Pol Zoomark attendees and international press will have the chance to meet Dr. Pol in person at the Mijten booth, Hall 19, Stand B47 – C48, during the following times: • Monday, May 5th, from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM • Tuesday, May 6th, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM This is a unique occasion for fans, media, and industry professionals to engage with one of the most beloved vets in the world, take exclusive pictures and learn more about his mission to enhance animal care. About Dr. Pol With over 50 years in veterinary medicine, Dr. Pol is more than just a television star or product line. In fact, the brand story goes back to 1954 when 12-year old Jan Pol helped deliver a litter of piglets on his family’s dairy farm in the Netherlands. From that day on, Jan’s singular focus and passion has been to care for animals. After graduating from Utrecht University as a veterinarian, Dr. Pol immigrated to the United States with his wife, Diane. After ten years of practice, he moved to Weidman, Michigan and founded Pol Veterinary Services. With a down-to- earth, practical approach to veterinary medicine, Dr. Pol grew his practice and has devoted his life to caring for the pets, livestock, and animals of farmers and pet owners. Dr. Pol continues his work today, caring for animals, advocating for affordable pet care, and bringing products to consumers designed to support overall health at affordable prices- because Dr. Pol’s favorite animal is a healthy animal. Watch The Incredible Dr. Pol in 180 countries around the world on National Geographic, Disney+ and Hulu. Issue 2 2025 41
