Mondi has launched a new banana box aimed at being more sustainable while still keeping the strength needed for shipping. The development reflects ongoing efforts to optimise fruit packaging for global supply chains.
The project began when Mondi’s containerboard technical team explored whether the standard banana box could be made lighter and more sustainable without compromising strength.
The new fruit packaging combines ProVantage SmartKraft Brown, noted for strength and protection, with ProVantage Frescoflute, a semi-chemical fluting designed to reinforce lightweight packaging. The resulting box uses roughly 40% recycled fibre and is up to 10% lighter than the previous design, reducing shipping emissions while maintaining product protection.
Marek, one of Mondi’s technical experts for containerboard solutions, oversaw a full-scale production trial in Ecuador in summer 2024. The bananas were loaded into the new boxes and sent to Europe in two containers, while sensors tracked humidity and temperature throughout the 33-day trip. “We saw humidity levels between 96 and 100%—extreme conditions for any packaging,” Marek said. “But the boxes held up. No collapse. No compromise.” Jorge Romero, Operations Manager at Incarpalm, noted the trial confirmed the reliability of the packaging.
The reliability of the box is everything. Seeing the new box composition perform under the toughest conditions proves that innovation and practicality can go hand in hand.” added Jorge Romero.
The trial’s success has prompted discussions with other fruit exporters and retailers. With regulations such as the planned 2026 ban on plastic wrap inside banana boxes, fibre-based packaging solutions are expected to see increased demand. Gijs Huisman, Sales Director at Mondi Containerboard, said the project demonstrates a collaborative approach to designing end-use applications that work across the supply chain.
