Study highlights importance of convenience and recyclability in cheese packaging

Amcor has announced the results of a new consumer study, conducted in collaboration with French cheese producer Laïta. The research highlights the importance of convenience and recyclability for French hard cheese buyers.

The joint study, conducted in March 2026 among more than 500 French hard cheese consumers, shows that convenience was identified as the most influential packaging attribute for in-store purchasing decisions, ahead of other elements such as visuals (colors, graphics), uniqueness of design, sustainability claims, textures and even the material used. Notably, seven out of ten consumers (70%) consider an easy-reclose feature important when buying hard cheese products.

Reflecting growing consumer attention to sustainability, the research also reveals that the packaging's sustainability attributes influence purchasing decisions for 67% of French hard cheese buyers. Recyclability ranks first among the attributes tested, followed by claims such as using less plastic, using less material overall, using recycled plastic and reducing carbon footprint.

The results underscore the importance of the collaboration between Amcor and Laïta, which recently launched new packaging for Paysan Breton Emmental cheese blocks, Laïta’s flagship brand, using Amcor’s AmPrima® PP film in the Easy Pack format.

The new structure replaces a previous multi-material solution, which was composed of three different types of non-recyclable plastic. Now, the pack is designed for recyclability within the polypropylene (PP) flexible-film recycling stream, in line with guidelines from COTREP and the CITEO TREE Tool. Importantly, the solution remains fully compatible with Laïta’s existing packaging equipment while maintaining all key functionalities, including sealing integrity and line efficiency. It also directly addresses consumer expectations for convenience, featuring an adhesive tape on the back for reclosability, ensuring an optimal shelf life.

The new AmPrima® PP film delivers a 63% reduction in carbon footprint and a 6% reduction in plastic weight compared to the previous solution, thereby lowering Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) fees.

Launched in the 220g format of Paysan Breton Emmental cheese, the new packaging has been rolled out over the past few weeks across nearly 2,000 points of sale.

This project, developed in close collaboration with Amcor, clearly illustrates our ability to address consumer expectations around sustainability and ease-of-use for tomorrow’s packaging, without any trade-offs.

Mathieu Boulc’h, Packaging Manager at Laïta.

Our collaboration with Laïta reflects our commitment to developing packaging solutions that balance sustainability with performance and consumer convenience. Our research findings provide strong reassurance that we are aligned with what matters most to consumers.

Laura Delapeyronnie, Marketing Manager, Dairy at Amcor.

This article was originally published by Amcor.