Fresh produce packaging company NNZ Inc. has announced strategic partnerships with CKF Inc. and Stackpack/Halopack in Europe to expand the production of the Q-Bic tray in sustainable fiber and paperboard formats.
The Q-Bic tray, developed by Smart Packaging Industries, is a modular packaging concept designed for fresh produce. Its stackable cube-shaped design optimizes logistics, enabling up to 30% more product per pallet compared to conventional trays, according to the company. This results in fewer truckloads, reduced fossil fuel usage, and a measurable reduction in carbon footprint.
“Q-Bic was created with sustainability at its core,” says Patrick Boot, CEO of NNZ. “By collaborating with partners like CKF and Stackpack/Halopack, we are ensuring that Q-Bic continues to evolve with materials that meet both environmental goals and industry functionality.”
CKF Inc. brings decades of expertise in molded fiber packaging solutions to the partnership. Its contribution will enable a fiber-based Q-Bic tray with strong end-of-life circularity.
Stackpack/Halopack specializes in paperboard packaging with barrier functionality, offering an alternative to plastic trays while ensuring food safety and shelf life as part of the partnership.
The program also provides NNZ with a seasoned industry mentor, Tony Freytag, founder of Crunch Pak, the company that pioneered sliced apple snacks in North America. Freytag’s entrepreneurial insights and deep industry knowledge will guide NNZ as it brings Q-Bic to market in the U.S. produce sector, the company says.
“Tony’s experience in building a category from the ground up is invaluable,” says Steve Greenfield, director of sales and marketing for NNZ. “His mentorship will help ensure Q-Bic succeeds in both sustainability and market adoption.”
According to the company, the partnership was made possible through a grant awarded by the International Fresh Produce Association, the USDA and the Foundation for Food and Agricultural Research, which supports and accelerates innovation in sustainable packaging for the fresh produce industry.
