Mondi develops lighter banana box

Packaging specialist Mondi has developed an improved banana box packaging solution that is lighter while being equally strong and more sustainable.

The box was developed thanks to an international collaboration between Mondi, Europcell, Ecuadorian banana exporter Incarpalm and a European importer. Together, they redesigned the structure and paper composition of the traditional banana box, testing multiple scenarios to balance durability, weight and humidity resistance.

The new concept combines ProVantage SmartKraft Brown, known for its high strength and protective qualities, with ProVantage Frescoflute, a semi-chemical fluting that enhances firmness in lightweight packaging boxes. The result is a box made with around 40% recycled fibre and up to 10% less weight than the previous design.

To validate performance under real-world conditions, a full-scale production trial took place in Ecuador in 2024. Bananas packed in the new boxes were shipped to Europe over a 33-day journey, with sensors monitoring humidity and temperature. Despite extreme humidity levels of up to 100%, the boxes maintained their integrity throughout transit.

“Seeing the new box perform under such tough conditions was incredibly rewarding,” said Marek Motylewski, Technical Service Expert for containerboard products at Mondi. “This collaboration proves that innovation and practicality must go hand in hand.”

Other fruit exporters are now interested in the boxes.

Image credit: iStock.com/OLEKSANDR PEREPELYTSIA