As CRYOVAC® celebrates its 85th anniversary, the milestone offers an opportunity to reflect
on a legacy built on innovation with purpose. For more than eight decades, the brand has
been at the forefront of food packaging, consistently developing solutions that respond to
real-world challenges faced by customers across the food value chain.
But what truly sets CRYOVAC® apart isn’t just technological advancement, it’s a deep-rooted
commitment to solving meaningful problems. From extending shelf life and enhancing food
safety to improving operational efficiency and supporting sustainability goals, CRYOVAC®
has continuously evolved alongside the needs of the industry.
In this interview, Markus Zavec, Sales Director Food Germany, Austria and Switzerland, from Sealed Air shares his perspective on what makes CRYOVAC® unique, how its innovations have shaped the industry, and why its purpose-driven approach remains as relevant today as it was 85 years ago.
Q: How does CRYOVAC® solve real customer problems?
Markus: “Today’s food packaging challenges are more complex than ever and solving
problems doesn’t just come from advanced materials. It also requires deep expertise,
systems thinking and collaboration across industry. This is what I believe sets CRYOVAC®
apart – the united approach to bringing together advanced barrier technologies, integrated,
automated systems and knowledge of real-world applications.
“By working closely with customers and leading industry partners such as AVEC and Flexible
Packaging Europe, our team of experts are able to create food packaging solutions that
extend shelf life, improve food safety, help reduce waste, and enable our customers to
operate more efficiently and sustainably.”
Q: This year marks 85 years of CRYOVAC®. Why is this important?
Markus: “CRYOVAC® fundamentally changed how food is protected and distributed. The
pioneering breakthrough in barrier materials and vacuum packaging created new
opportunities for extending shelf life, while preserving food quality, taste and safety. It
helped to open up the global food value chain.
“I also think the anniversary is an important milestone, because it reminds us how
CRYOVAC® innovation isn’t just an initiative. The long-standing success and evolution of the
range hasn’t been built on innovation for the sake of innovation. Developments have been
driven by a clear purpose of helping customers adapt to changing market, operational,
regulatory and sustainability demands. For more than eight decades, CRYOVAC® has
become trusted for consistently delivering high performance and peace of mind, which is
something to celebrate.”
Q: Can you name one solution that’s a great example of CRYOVAC® innovation?
Markus: “Of course, I want to say all the solutions and systems from across the range, but if
I had to pick one, it’d be Darfresh® technology. Whether it’s rollstock or vacuum tray
systems and equipment, it’s a fantastic example of a solution that solves so many different
customer problems and continues to evolve to help businesses prepare for future
challenges and opportunities.
“For example, Darfresh’s second skin technology can help maximise shelf life, while meeting
consumer expectations for easy-to-open packs. Integrated solutions can deliver zero
material scrap to support sustainability, while reducing packaging costs. Bottom webs have
also been developed to utilise post-consumer recycled polyethylene terephthalate.”
Q: And finally, what does the future hold for CRYOVAC®?
Markus: “Having a clear purpose of enabling businesses to solve food value chain problems
remains at the heart of CRYOVAC® innovation. We’re continuing to work in close
partnership with customers and organisations across industry to reimagine packaging
solutions to support the circular economy.
“A powerful blend of technical excellence, collaboration and trusted partnerships will drive
innovation, where performance meets responsibility. This can be seen, for example, in the
development of CRYOVAC® materials that follow officially recognised Design for Recycling
guidelines, including CEFLEX D4ACE and are certified as recyclable by Cyclos-HTP Institute.
Taking these types of steps will help continue the CRYOVAC® legacy of turning breakthrough
ideas into practical solutions that solve real customer problems.”
