Packaging Index (PAX) for sausage products – 10 packages in comparison

Our popular blog series ‘PAX’ is entering its fifth round. This time, we are looking at a total of ten sausage packaging options and comparing them in terms of their performance, sustainability and design. Which packaging achieves the highest Packaging Index? Which manufacturer is best at tempting the consumer’s appetite while also impressing in functional aspects such as easy resealability or environmentally friendly material composition? We select a champion in each of the three evaluation dimensions mentioned, and of course an overall winner.

The 3 evaluation dimensions briefly defined

Performance: Based on eight performance-specific criteria in the areas of performance at the point of sale, product protection and use including disposal, we evaluate the extent to which the respective packaging meets practical retailer and consumer requirements.

Sustainability: On the basis of five sustainability-specific criteria in the areas of material, construction and labeling, we evaluate how the respective packaging performs in terms of recycling and environmental protection.

Design: On the basis of eight design-specific criteria in the areas of product and brand presentation, artwork and structural design, we evaluate the extent to which the respective packaging contributes to a successful product and brand presentation.

Performance rating – and the winner is…

Herta Saftschinken with 275 points!

The packaging of the performance winner is particularly convincing due to its striking presentation at the point of sale. It catches the eye and conveys in a nutshell what the consumer can expect when they buy this product. Furthermore, the packaging is characterized by appealing convenience features: it is easy to open and the slices of sausage can be removed effortlessly.

Further findings from the performance comparison

Similar characteristics to the Herta juicy ham, albeit with different weightings, also characterize the packaging of the Mühlen ham from Rügenwalder Mühle and the Katenrauchwurst from Eberswalder. With 270 and 267.5 points respectively, they are hot on the heels of the Herta juicy ham.

Overall, seven of the ten sausage packages analyzed in our test scored over 260 points in terms of performance. Accordingly, no packaging managed to stand out and set itself apart from the competition. Conversely, no packaging lost significant ground either. The lowest score was 222.5 points.

Those who regularly read our PAX analyses will certainly notice that the number of points scored in the performance area is generally rather low this time. This is partly due to the fact that all the packaging tested reveals significant weaknesses in terms of consumer performance. For example, we were surprised that, apart from Rügenwalder Mühle and Zimbo, none of the packaging included a re-sealable feature. The Radeberger brand at least compensates for this shortcoming with its premium salmon ham by using a double-chamber packaging. This allows the consumer to open only one side at first, while the other half of the salmon ham remains fresh.

Assessment category Sustainability – and the winners are…

Eberswalder Katenrauchwurst and Charly’s Chicken Poultry Bierschinken with 250 points each!

These two packages come out on top thanks to the good ratio between packaging material and content. However, they cannot be classified as truly environmentally friendly.

Further findings from the sustainability comparison

With 237.5 points, Zimbo’s pepper roast is still able to keep up quite well with the winners in this assessment dimension. However, there is a larger gap after that, as the next-best packaging only has 207.5 sustainability points on the account.

Although the manufacturers use transparent, i.e. uncolored, films for packaging their sausage products, it has not yet been possible to recycle them in Germany in a meaningful way. The reason for this is that the films are composite materials or PET films, which are associated with severely limited recyclability. Furthermore, the packaging is partially covered with paper labels, which can lead to contamination during sorting.

Evaluation dimension: Design – and the winner is…

Herta Saftschinken with 360 points!

As far as design is concerned, there is only positive things to say about this packaging. It impresses with a unique packaging form, expressive brand staging and attractive product presentation. The logo and the juicy ham slices are the focus of attention – tastefully decorated with a few tomatoes and herbs to emphasize the naturalness of the product and create inspiration for enjoyment. Furthermore, the packaging presents the most important information about the product in a compact and clear way, so that the effect of the strong visual elements can fully unfold.

Further insights from the design comparison

In addition to the Herta juice-soaked ham, the Mühlen ham packaging, which also has an alternative shape, and the visual packaging design of the Herta Finesse turkey breast are also appealing, as their Design PAX values of 347.5 and 330 respectively show.

However, there is a big hole behind the impressive trio. For some products, the respective brand sender is not easily recognizable. The best examples of this are Wiltmann for the gourmet salami, Berschneider for the graved salmon, Börner Eisenacher for the organic Lyoner, and to a lesser extent Radeberger for the premium salmon ham and Eberswalder for the Katenrauchwurst.

The paper-plastic composite of Börner Eisenacher’s organic product may look natural, but in reality it is even less “green” than pure plastic packaging and is therefore more of a greenwashing ploy.

The negative design highlight is the packaging from Eberswalder. Apart from the fact that the packaging looks stale and boring, there is far too much text on the front, which tends to repel most consumers who have not yet been brand-named, and usually leads them to choose a different, more appealing product.

Overall winner of the PAX comparison of sausage packaging

The Herta Saftschinken (moist ham) comes out on top in our PAX comparison of sausage packaging with a total of 842.5 points. Its packaging impresses in particular with its successful design. It also performs well. Although the test winner does not score particularly well in terms of sustainability, this can be said of all sausage packaging at the present time.

The only product within reach of the Herta ham sandwich is the Mühlen Schinken from Rügenwalder Mühle, with a Packaging Index of 825. Indeed, the two products are very similar in their appearance, except that Rügenwalder Mühle scored a few points less in the areas of design and performance. In third place, we find the Herta brand again, this time with the Finesse turkey breast slices.

The packaging of Zimbo pepper roast scores relatively solidly and consistently in all three evaluation dimensions, which earned it a PAX of 740 and fourth place in our test. Wiltmann’s gourmet salami – ranked fifth with 655 points – performs well, but falls relatively far behind the better-placed packaging in terms of design and sustainability.

Although the packaging of the Eberswalder Katenrauchwurst and the Charly’s Chicken beer-flavored poultry ham still make the “greenest” impression in terms of sustainability, with 632.5 and 617.5 points respectively, they only make it to 6th and 7th place. Both leave a lot to be desired, especially in terms of design. Radeberger Premium Lachsschinken also scored 617.5 points and offers a remarkable unique selling point with its double chamber.

With a PAX of 567.5 and 537.5, respectively, the Berschneider Graved Salmon and the Börner Eisenacher Bio Lyoner are far behind in 9th and 10th place. While Berschneider at least scores solidly on the performance dimension, the packaging of the organic sausage fails to impress in every area. The enormous discrepancy is striking: the difference between the first and last is over 300 points.

Conclusion of our managing director Christoph Waldau

“The winner of our comparison is the packaging of Herta Saftschinken, which stands out above all for its tidy design, attractive product presentation and differentiated shape, but also impresses in the performance category with the highest number of points for user-friendliness and product protection.

In terms of sustainability, the stackable packaging from Eberswalder and Charly’s Chicken is ahead of the pack thanks to the minimal use of materials in relation to the contents. The other formats often appear overpackaged.

However, we see a considerable need for improvement across all brands in terms of the recyclability of the packaging. None of the manufacturers tested can provide any information on their packaging as to whether the film used is recyclable. The composite materials used, with a combination of paper and plastic, are particularly noticeable.”