A bespoke packaging solution from Berry Global is helping Finnish dairy pioneer Valio to meet its commitment to reduce plastic usage by 15% in its single-use, single-serve packaging by 2026. As part of this, Valio’s popular range of PROfeel protein puddings are being switched to a custom-designed version of Berry’s CombiLight pot. The CombiLight is a hybrid packaging solution made from a plastic skeleton and carton sleeve, which are melted together to create a strong structure. Valio had already switched its quark products to the CombiLight, but for the puddings the conversion required the development of a new coating with enhanced barrier properties to ensure optimal shelf life, as Valio’s Head of Packaging Development Juhana Pilkama explains: "While quark is an acidic product, pudding is neutral. This meant that the standard coating in the CombiLight™ cup was not suitable. Therefore, we started a project with Berry to develop a new enhanced barrier coating to ensure optimal shelf life. Now, we are ready to launch the pudding in the new pot with an impressive 120-day shelf life." The new barrier solution was achieved by Berry working in collaboration with Stora Enso, a leader in barrier technology. As well as helping to reduce food waste, this extended shelf life will also provide better export opportunities for Valio. The company will launch the high-protein PROfeel puddings, offered in flavours including chocolate, caramel, and vanilla-meringue, in the new packaging this December. There is a booming market for high-protein desserts, and with the new pot, Valio is ready to take on even more markets while honouring a voluntary Green Deal, signed in 2023 with the Finnish government, to reduce plastic usage in packaging. "Our commitment to reducing plastic is reflected in the increasing use of paperboard cups for Valio’s snack products,” said Juhana Pilkama. “This change will also enhance consumer convenience, as consumers will no longer need to separate materials; for example, with the puddings, they can simply dispose of the entire packaging into carton recycling streams along with milk cartons.”