Packaging to go

The aluminium bottle FUSION realizes innovative packing concepts for the „to go“ segment. Source: Rexam Beverage Can.

Nowadays packaging is fulfilling a broad spectrum of important tasks. It portions and protects the content, for example, it is part of the brand image and communicates advertising messages and required product information. With the rise of the “to go” culture packaging has experienced a significant expansion to its functions. Intelligent features such as light and yet stable construction concepts, the usage of recyclable materials, advanced heat insulation mechanisms and the realisation of resealable beverage cans are just a few illustrative examples. The whole packaging industry is responding to the requirements of the changing consumer behaviour with these innovations and it is satisfying central demands like time saving, better mobility, increased flexibility and better product quality. A comprehensive overview of the innovative topic “packing to go”, along the whole value chain, will be presented by the exhibitors at the upcoming interpack in May to the international visitors.

Wine in cans: Definitely no corky taste

Ball Packaging Europe has recently signed a contract with the Australian company Barokes Wines in order to produce beverage cans for wine by Barokes patented Vinsafe® method. The Vinsafe® method allows long shelf life while providing a constantly high level of product quality. Currently, the market for wine in cans is still small, but it holds great potential. Double-digit sales figures in Europe indicate this. The reasons for this development are changing market structures and new trends in consumer behaviour. The product is certainly of interest for consumers who are no traditional wine drinkers, but who would like to try an innovative premium product. Small sized cans, with a volume of about 200 ml, are furthermore attractive to consumers who only enjoy wine occasionally or in small quantities - such as in single households or in hotel mini-bars. In addition, this packaging concept is also interesting for market segments, in which factors like easy transportation, lightweight design, space-saving storage and high security are of central importance. This is the case for airlines, passenger ships and trains. It also has environmental advantages to bottle wine into cans, because metal containers are completely and infinitely recyclable. The recycling of beverage cans saves up to 95 percent of the energy that is needed to produce new material. Also the CO2 emissions get reduced up to 95 percent. In addition, beverage cans cause the lowest CO2 emissions during transport. “It may sound strange, but beverage cans that are manufactured with the corresponding production method are actually very well suited for wine, because they are one hundred percent impervious to light and oxygen", confirms Gerlof Toenhake, Marketing Director at Ball Packaging Europe. "Plus: wine in cans will never have a corky taste!"

FUSION: A noble lightweight

With its aluminium bottle FUSION, Rexam Beverage Can has placed a light, material and cost-effective alternative to conventional aluminium bottles on the market. Up to now, these types of bottles led more of a niche existence and they were mainly used for advertising campaigns or brand development. With the extremely lightweight FUSION, which is manufactured by the deep drawing process, the company opens up the path to a wide range of applications using aluminium bottles. In addition to unique technical features, it offers sensual qualities like classy appearance or pleasant coolness to the user. Due to a wide range of available finishing techniques - such as lacquering, colouring and embossing - bottles from the FUSION series can be tailor-made to specific wishes of the clients. Furthermore, these bottles are available in various sizes and shapes and they come with a choice of resealable lids and crown corks. The bottle is suitable for all still and carbonated beverages and is 100 percent recyclable.

When a bag transforms into a canister...

Not only food and drinks follow the “to go” concept in many areas, this trend is also recognizable in the field of cleaning agents. There are many reasons for this development. Producers can realize enormous savings concerning raw materials, packaging materials, storage and shipping. Even the end user benefits from this development - smaller product sizes, more comfortable transportation behavior and less waste disposal are some demonstrative examples. The packaging specialist Floeter Flexibles GmbH anampac Company from Eberdingen has developed this approach consequently up to market maturity with its product “5L Spouted Pouch”. Cleaning agents are typically filled and delivered in large and heavy canisters. "Spouted Pouch" on the other hand, packs the active substances in concentrated form. Once at the place of action, the cleaning agent gets processed by adding water and it can be used immediately. With 540 bags compared to only 96 canisters per pallet, the benefits are obvious.

Short Message: Stand-Up Pouches are the Cheapest

Stand-up pouches are the cheapest option for sterilizable packaging containers in comparison to steel or aluminum cans, cardboard and glass. This applies in particular to prefabricated stand-up pouches on the basis of standard laminate. If, for example, a volume of 400 ml is considered, the costs for cardboard packaging are about 23 percent higher and the costs forthree-piece steel boxes are 36 percent higher. Glass containers are the most expensive packaging solution in the 400 ml area – they are about 91 percent more expensive than already prefabricated stand-up bags. These are the results of the current multi-client study performed by Schönwald Consulting with the title "From Raw Material to Filled Packaging - The Economics of Retortable Containers in the European Union in 2010".