i2r further invests in its Ultra container range with new large-format edition

Leading aluminium tray manufacturer i2r Packaging Solutions has strengthened its award-winning Ultra container range by launching a new 260mm x 260mm x 50mm profile. Designed for large, ready-to-cook family meals and multi-portion food products, this latest format combines enhanced strength with lightweight performance, offering food manufacturers a high-quality solution for demanding applications.

Developed in response to growing customer demand, this ultra-rigid, film-sealable container is ideally suited for premium-ready meals and multi-portion protein-based dishes.

Soon to be on shelf with a leading premium retailer for pasta-based family meals, the new tray offers a direct alternative to existing packaging options on the market, providing both versatility and efficiency. Engineered with i2r’s award-winning Ultra design features, the container incorporates ribbed sidewalls that merge with the Ultra embossed base, significantly improving strength, rigidity and resistance to twisting or damage during filling, transportation and cooking - especially with fluid-based contents like sauces. These design enhancements protect product integrity and ensure safer handling for end users, as the tray maintains its shape throughout the cooking process.

Made with over 50% recycled content, the new tray reinforces i2r’s ongoing commitment to responsible packaging. It offers a lightweight yet high-performing solution that withstands high oven temperatures without warping - something other pack formats cannot match.

With tooling now complete and samples available for immediate dispatch, the new format is production-ready and meets the needs of food manufacturers producing multi-portion ready meals and prepared proteins.

Tom Cliffe, i2r’s sales director, said: “This profile fills a niche for manufacturers producing large, premium ready-to-cook products. The Ultra design offers a distinct competitive advantage in strength and shelf presentation, while aluminium’s recyclability and oven performance make it an excellent alternative to traditional containers.”

The launch signals i2r’s intent to challenge established market profiles with a differentiated, high-spec alternative that delivers cost-effective, practical innovation to the food manufacturing sector.

For more information and samples, contact +44 (0)845 371 5111, email: sales@i2rps.com.