MicVac and Curwood - a strong partnership
MicVac has signed a cooperation agreement with Curwood/Bemis regarding North, Central and South America. This is a step in the overall company strategy to make the MicVac technology worldwide known to companies wanting to grow in the chilled ready meals sector.
Both companies see new possibilities opening up as they join strengths. The cooperation will make the unique MicVac technology for chilled ready meals available in North, South and Central America. – Changing demographics, coupled with shifting economic conditions have led to trends that support microwave pasteurisation technology, states David Engen, Curwood Director of Marketing.– Consumers are demanding higher quality meal solutions that deliver on taste, texture, aroma and aesthetic appeal without the addition of preservatives or additives. MicVac technology provides a nutritious option - without sacrificing convenience - at an extended shelf life of 35 – 45 days.– As a leading supplier of food-based packaging technologies, Curwood pays particular attention to existing and emerging consumer trends domestically and globally to support customer growth objectives, explains Engen.The MicVac method integrates a tray, lidding film and valve as well as a MicVac designed microwave tunnel. Curwood has obtained the licence to produce and distribute the lidding film and the patented tray to potential customers in the Americas. The unique valve as well as the microwave tunnel will be supplied from Sweden.– The tunnel is a crucial part for the MicVac method and secures that our customers can produce the best food quality. Naturally we are very excited to partner with Curwood for the American market, says Håkan Pettersson, MicVac Managing Director.MicVac has customers in Europe, Japan and Australia and at the head office in Sweden, there is a complete pilot plant where potential and existing customers come to train, develop recipes, exchange experience and discuss packaging solutions.– This partnership will give us the possibility to develop our business much faster in the American market. We are discussing to set up a MicVac pilot microwave tunnel at the Bemis Innovation Centre and at a Curwood customer to facilitate our projects with future customers, says Johan Zetterberg, VP Business Development at MicVac.Curwood is a technological leader in high-barrier packaging, and is a supplier of innovative packaging materials and systems for food, beverage, household, industrial and personal care industries.Curwood is part of Bemis Company, Inc. (www.bemis.com), the largest flexible packaging company in the Americas and a major manufacturer of pressure sensitive materials used for labels, decoration and signage.