SUPPLY CHAIN INNOVATION A new way Red meat joins the war on waste Here’s how three MLA projects are continued developing solutions to food wastage by reinventing red meat packaging. Consumer demands away from the traditional three Plastic-free meat tray MLA consumer insights meals a day and opting for a play an important role in flexible approach to eating MLA worked with American start-up understanding the future and snacking on the go, up to company, Corumat, to develop patented requirements of red meat six times per day. technology using food and meat waste eaters, including how they to make a plastic-free, compostable “Packaging innovations meat tray. want their food packaged. continue to be a key research For example, the way people area to ensure the red This project takes a ‘circular economy’ are eating has changed in meat industry, which has approach to upcycle resources (in this recent years. There are fewer traditionally focused on a raw, case, food waste) to extract value rather people in each household, fresh product, can adapt to than discarding them. more people are eating on-the-go meat pack designs,” “Upcycling waste streams could potentially out and more food is being Michael said. re-position our True Aussie Beef and Lamb delivered to homes. “We need to consider to be clean, green and plastic-free,” MLA’s Information like this is used easy-to-open and tamper-proof Michael Lee said. by the food industry to adjust features for ready-to-cook, heat “This complete value-chain story of packaging size to customise and eat solutions which optimise sustainability provides Australian red products to consumer shelf life, minimise food waste requirements. and reduce plastic use.” ■ meat with a significant competitive advantage in the global protein “The ratio of product to *Source: United Nations Regional market. Brand owners, producers Information Centre packaging is vital to make and consumers are all set to benefit.” packaging more sustainable Michael Lee as well as in a format to The Corumat meat tray is also appeal to the target market,” E: mlee@mla.com.au approximately 20% cheaper than plastic Michael said. Turn to page 46 to see meat trays. Another trend is ‘snackification’. Michael’s ‘Industry It’s still under development but shows Many consumers are moving Insider’ profile. promising signs of market adoption. MLA is currently working with Australian red meat brand owners to identify opportunities to use this technology. Below: Corumat’s new plastic‑free meat tray packaging concept, developed using upcycled food waste. New red meat packaging concepts showcased at the Supermarket of the Future display at Red Meat 2019, Tamworth. 38