Case | Fries in the Skies
By Femke van Hardeveld In Uncategorized
Summer 2022, colleague Marco van Uden received a phone call. Whether he could think along. Our client was working on a project and the packaging material they were using was no longer available. They had heard of IPP’s ONBOARD and were curious whether this might be a good alternative. And that’s how we came into contact with Fries & Writers.
Fries in the Skies is a product of Fries & Writers. Dutch famous novelist, product developer and fries lover Leon de Winter developed and marketed this concept together with his son Moos. The De Winter family has been working with fries for years. Earlier, they developed a low-carb variant of their favourite snack.
Airplane fries
When they did not find French Fries on the menu during a flight and were explained that this was due to the limitation of the hot-air oven in the aircraft (which is allowed to heat up to a maximum of 170 ºC where normally at least 180 ºC in oil is needed to fry fries properly crispy), they decided to come up with a solution. The De Winter family studied potato varieties, pre-processing options and frying techniques. The most suitable potato was found and they also developed a unique coating for over the fries. Leon & Moos tinkered at home to create the perfect box. For almost two years, they tested and developed further. In early 2022, the first generation Fries in the Skies actually appeared on the menu of a Dutch airline.
Packaging
Packaging is an inseparable part of the Fries in the Skies product. This box was developed in which the snack can be stored, transported, prepared and served. Made of a durable material that meets the requirements of airline catering conditions. It must be able to go into the freezer as well as the oven, be easy for cabin crew to use, and the food should preferably not be touched until the customer opens the box.
Hot air circulation is an important component to get fries crispy. The packaging therefore has an open structure, with heat reaching all sides of the fries through the holes. In the production of the box, it was a search for balance between the openings and shape retention. For making it processable on the machine. And also for the functionality of the sustainable box.
ONBOARD
Since IPP came on board, there has been a new version of Fries in the Skies’ packaging. They are now manufactured from ONBOARD greaseproof brown; a folding carton recently developed by IPP, made from 100% virgin fibres, with no added polyester. Even without plastic, ONBOARD has a high barrier against moisture and grease. It can go in the freezer, fridge and it is ovenable. The cardboard has a high grease resistance, which prevents grease stains from getting into the packaging. In addition, its release properties are excellent. If no chips or sauce remain in the tray, the cardboard is clean enough for recycling in the waste paper after use.
The success of Fries in the Skies did not go unnoticed. On 26 June 2023, we won an Dutch Packaging Award in the category Innovation Packaging and Packaging Materials.
Golden combination
Several areas of expertise come together in the packaging of Fries in the Skies. The product-packaging material combination is a first. The unique design of the box is an important part of the solution. Together with the specially developed fries, this creates a completely new product within (and outside) flight catering. And this technology also offers possibilities for other products within aviation catering. And beyond. The sustainable ONBOARD is ready for the future.
IPP is also involved in a new project by Fries & Writers, where OnBoard is being subjected to new challenges. We will tell you more about that soon!
Posted on: 07-09-2023
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