After 30 years, EPS fish packaging is seen as outdated and a crime against the environment. The owner of BEWi had the idea of replacing the traditional lid with a film.

An extensive user and market analysis revealed the enormous potential the idea had for the product system’s users. The challenge was to totally redesign the entire packaging system with the aim of reducing costs and the environmental impact.

A great boost to the Industry

It is commendable that two competitors, BEWi and Vartdal, have joined forces to improve and develop the traditional fish box into a system that will set a new standard for Norwegian salmon packaging. The system consists of boxes of various sizes where the lids are replaced with film, and a pallet made of moulded EPS. The new box is both lighter and stronger, and by removing the lid both weight and volume are reduced.

The jury praised the fact that the new system is designed to have optimum function at all levels and that it represents vast improvements for all product system users. By using film instead of a lid, the quality of the fish can also be checked without opening the lid.  The product is a giant leap for the industry and a functional innovation with an environmental bonus.

Company: BEWi Produktet AS

Project group company: Collaboration partner: Jan Endre Vartdal (Vartdal Plastindustrier) - Project Manager: Christian Bekken (BEWi)

Design: Inventas Trondheim AS

Project group design company: Design, calculation and graphical: Torkel Sørhus (Inventas) - Design and Graphic: Synnøve Kjerstad (Inventas) - Calculation: Karianne Kleven Grøntvedt (Inventas) - Materials and production: Snorre Bache (Inventas)


Award / year: Award for Design Excellence - 2011

Category: Industrial design