Smart Molding International 2-2021

15 newsfeed www.smart-molding.com Foundedin1978,Meridian has spent over 40 years satisfying seafood cravings in Russia. As the largest producer of ready-to-eat fish and seafood products in the Russian market, they know how to give the peo - ple what they want. And in 2020, they want gourmet seafood preserves. Seafood for gourmets A Russian favourite, sea - food preserves are widely available in a variety of styles and price brack - ets. Even so, connoisseurs were hungry for something more spectacular. Meridian seized this opportunity with Milegrin, a brand designed to deliver unique, ready- to-eat products that satisfy even the most discerning palates. Their premium seafood preserves pack more punch than anything else on the market. Con - sumers taste the French countryside with selected mussels in oil with Proven - cal herbs, savour a fiery mouthful of satisfaction with selected mussels in oil with chilli pepper, or enjoy squid straws and tentacles together in brine for a low- calorie protein hit. ‘Milegrin is all about of - fering consumers a first- class experience,’ says An - astasia Andrianova, Chief BrandManager at Meridian. ‘We only use top-quality in - gredients and our exclusive seafood recipes combine herbs and spices in unique and enchanting ways.’ First impression counts The next step forMeridian was to enhance Milegrin products with innovative packaging. First impressions count; customers should know they’re looking at a premium product from the very first glance. Meridian approached long-time pack - aging partner Mir Upakovki, looking for something bright and charming, with a sophis - tication that appeals to high- end consumers. ‘Milegrin seafood preserves really are the best of the best. Meridian needed attractive and innovative packaging to reflect the superb calibre of their products,’ recounts Bo - ris Tarakanov, Key Account Manager at Mir Upakovki: “we had no doubts that In-Mould-Labeling technol - ogy will be the best solution and with our more than 15 years experience at that field, we were confident to find the look-and-feel that will satisfy the request of Meridian”. Premium product Already familiar with the benefits of in-mould label - ing (IML), Mir Upakovki called on Verstraete IML to find the best-performing and best-looking solution. They trialled several IML film options before deciding on a glossy-look film with metallic foil. It was a deci - sion that did not surprise Mikhail Britcyn, Regional Sales Manager at Verstraete IML. ‘Metallic IML doesn’t just capture attention, it delivers a message,’ he states emphatically. ‘It says, “This brand is a big deal!” The customer immediately knows they’re looking at a premium product.’ Triple profit It’s not just the label that makes the packaging for Milegrin seafood preserves stand out from the rest. A taller-than-usual design gives the containers added elegance; they’re literally head and shoulders above everything else on the shelf. And whilst Metallic IML ensures the packag - ing attracts attention, the transparent lid allows the food itself to shine. It’s a unique feature that lets Milegrin’s seafood pre - serves entice the customer directly. Moreover, thanks to IML, both the container and the lid are completely recyclable. This sustainable packaging solution is good for Meridian, good for the customers and ultimately good for the environment. That’s a triple-win. Verstraete IML www.verstraete-iml.com Metallic IML means Milegrin seafood preserves look as good as they taste The term "in mould label- ling" is directly derived from the technique: a preprinted polypropylene label is placed in a mould. This mould has the shape of the end product, e.g. the shape of a butter tub. Then the molten PP is added to the mould. It fuses with the label, and while curing, takes the shape of the mould. Re- sult: label and packaging become one.