Convenience is key in cheese packaging for consumers, says study

Amcor, a company developing and producing packaging, 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 (colours, graphics), uniqueness of design, sustainability claims, textures, and even 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 sustainability packaging attributes influence purchasing decisions for 67% of French hard cheese buyers. Recyclability ranks first among the attributes tested, alongside further claims such as using less plastic, using less material overall, using recycled plastic and reducing carbon footprint.

Amcor and Laïta have 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. Launched in the 220g format of Paysan Breton Emmental cheese, the new packaging has been introduced across nearly 2,000 points of sale. 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, and 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, the company says.

“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,” says Laura Delapeyronnie, marketing manager, dairy at Amcor.