Copacol has packaged seasoned chicken cuts in a cellulose tray that can be placed directly in the air fryer – targeting convenience, recyclability, and biodegradability.
Reportedly, the tray is plastic-free and made entirely from cellulose. It is described as 100% recyclable and is believed to take approximately 75 days to decompose – ‘significantly’ reducing its environmental impact, according to Copacol.
The pack can be stored in the freezer and cooked directly in the air fryer. This is expected to negate the need for consumers to handle the product directly, keep the air fryer clean and durable, and save time when preparing a meal.
Copacol’s tray is considered the first complete solution of its kind on the Brazilian market, combining convenience, food quality, healthy eating, and environmental responsibility in one pack.
“This is the first line of products for air fryers, featuring chicken cuts seasoned with natural ingredients, in sustainable packaging that offers convenience to the consumer,” says Alexandre Lachi, marketing manager at Copacol. “Soon, we will be launching this product throughout Brazil, and it promises to be a great success.
“Consumers want much more than just quality food. They are also concerned about the impact their consumption will have.”
Copacol also showcased its new tray at APAS 2026, which took place in São Paulo earlier this year.
“We chose to present this new product at APAS due to the fair’s importance, providing consumers with this experience in meal preparation,” Lachi continues. “It’s healthy food, with intelligent packaging that doesn’t harm the environment and allows for faster meal preparation, without the mess of the air fryer, an appliance that has won the preference of Brazilians.”
The packaging is suitable for 500g portions of chicken breast fillets, drumsticks, mid-wings, wing tips, and other cuts, each containing six to eight pieces.
In similar news, Marks & Spencer teamed up with Graphic Packaging International and 2 Sisters Food Group to trial an oven- and microwave-safe fibre tray for its M&S Fiery Chicken Tikka Masala product. The FSC-certified tray was designed to be recycled in the paper recycling stream without requiring consumers to remove its thin plastic lining.
Since then, Folbb has unveiled a hardsized cardboard application for frozen food that can be cooked directly in the oven or microwave. Described as fully recyclable and biodegradable, the pack is not thought to contain any PFAS or Optical Brightening Agents (OBAs).
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