Skip to content
Search
AI Powered
Latest Stories

Xact unveils two new solutions to help retailers reduce plastic packaging

Xact unveils two new solutions to help retailers reduce plastic packaging

Leading UK packaging specialist Xact has launched two new state-of-the-art packaging solutions that enable retailers to reduce the amount of plastic packaging that they use for fresh produce.

The Rev Elephant – designed specifically for cartonboard punnets with wings – and the Rev Condor, developed for taping bunches of loose produce will enable grocery retailers to remove millions of pieces of single use plastic from their supply chains every year.


Xact said one major UK retailer is currently rolling out the Rev Elephant – a high speed, high productivity closing machine – across its UK stores, following a successful trial. The machine helped the retailer to switch from a plastic film/tray wrap combination for one of its fresh produce ranges, to recyclable cartonboard.

elephant 01Rev Elephant

The Rev Elephant is billed the fastest machine on the market, delivering speeds of up to 250 packs per minute, compared to other cartonboard-based solutions that are typically 80 packs per minute. It closes the containers by applying food grade, hot melt glue, and prints the variable information directly onto the punnet. An additional self-adhesive label is also optional.

Suitable for a range of fresh produce and non-food packaging lines, both automated and manual loading, the compact packing ensures no damage to delicate produce and the container is fully optimised, avoiding empty spaces inside the package.

“Our Rev Elephant machine is a game-changer for the grocery industry. Up to approximately three times faster than other solutions on the market, the machine enables retailers to meet demand both in terms of pack quantity and quality,” Rachel Bastow, marketing manager at Xact, said.

condor 02Rev Condor

Also launching as part of Xact’s Rev portfolio is the Rev Condor. The Condor is an automatic taping machine, ideal for securing bunches of loose fresh produce and reducing the need for more unsustainable packaging used in the sector. It can also be used to tape elongated produce such as leeks, celery and courgettes as well as round products including melons, coconuts and pineapples. For produce such as bananas, the taping method also helps to maintain product quality, allowing them to ripen in their natural state.

Featuring a double independent taping mechanism and a dispenser capacity per channel of 620m (44 minutes working time), the machine can automatically tape 40-45 loose products per minute, offering retailers a quick, reliable, flexible, easy-to-use, intuitive and sustainable alternative to other packaging formats.

In addition, the tape itself can be manufactured from either PP, paper or compostable materials, and customised according to a retailer’s specific branding, ensuring that the products fit seamlessly into a company’s portfolio.

“These two new additions to our Rev range mark a significant step forward in the move towards making the UK grocery industry more sustainable. They are proof that fresh produce can be packed effectively, at speed, without affecting product quality and with a lower environmental impact,” Bastow added.

“We are very much looking forward to partnering with more retailers to bring the benefits of these game-changing machines to the wider sector.”

More for you

Boost Energy Drinks Can

Boost Drinks unveils 500ml cans in Energy range

Boost Drinks has announced the exciting introduction of 500ml cans to its Energy range launching in Original, Sugar Free Original and Red Berry varieties at just £1.

Leveraging its standing as the third largest brand in Energy Stimulation, Boost expands on its hugely successful 250ml energy range with the new, larger 500ml cans. 500ml is the largest energy drinks size and is worth a huge £745m - enjoying 13% YoY growth, offering even bigger profits for retailers.

Keep ReadingShow less
Troye Sivan

Smirnoff announces new global partnership with Troye Sivan

Smirnoff brings in Troye Sivan as ‘Chief Vibes Officer’ in new global campaign

Leading vodka brand Smirnoff has announced the appointment of Grammy-nominated global star Troye Sivan as its new Chief Vibes OFFicer (CVO), marking the start of a new multi-year partnership with the Australian singer-songwriter.

One of the most celebrated artists in popular culture today, Sivan has just completed the much anticipated ‘Sweat’ tour alongside friend, artist and frequent collaborator Charli XCX, and is about to embark on the Australia and New Zealand leg of his global solo tour, following the release of his hit 2023 album, ‘Something to Give Each Other’.

Keep ReadingShow less
Seabrook Fire Eaters

Seabrook launches price marked pack for Fire Eaters

Seabrook Crisps has unveiled a new price marked pack for the popular Fire Eaters.

Part of Seabrook’s Loaded sharing range, Fire Eaters Smokehouse Cayenne and Trinidad Scorpion Chilli flavours are now available in a 65g bag with a price mark of £1.25.

Keep ReadingShow less
Cox & Co.

Cox & Co. hits sweet spot with new flavour

Luxury chocolate brand Cox & Co. is targeting dark chocolate lovers with its brand new Blood Orange Crunch bar, crafted from 60 per cent single-origin Colombian cacao.

With almost two-thirds of chocolate buyers enjoying two or more flavours in a chocolate bar, it’s easy to see why Cox & Co.’s flavour combinations of velvety rich dark chocolate and delicious superfoods are so popular and its latest addition to the range is sure to be no different.

Keep ReadingShow less
Gnaw ‘new-stalgia’: pud-themed Chocolate Spoons and flavoured choc bars

Gnaw ‘new-stalgia’: pud-themed Chocolate Spoons and flavoured choc bars

Tapping into “new-stalgia” (an anticipated hot food trend in 2025), Gnaw has been working tirelessly to rethink Great British puddings by creating a number of “Hug in a Mug” classics (Crème Brulée, Bakewell Tart, Sticky Toffee Pud) in conjunction with an impressive “pudfolio” of dessert-flavoured bars: New York Cheesecake, Christmas Pudding, Banoffee Pie and Sticky Toffee Pudding.

Desserts may prove divisive. For many the last course will always be a fitting finale to a great meal spent with friends of family, enticing comfort food that offers a nostalgic peek into happy custard drenched, ice cream topped memories from yesteryear. For others, desserts are an unwitting dalliance with guilt-filled soft sponges, buttery pastry, seductively sweet fillings, crumbly toppings, sticky sauces …

Keep ReadingShow less