New packaging products boost processors' markets

The new food packaging released by a variety of companies indicate that innovation in the industry continues to be driven by fast changing social trends and the increasing consumer demand for convenience and safety.

Amcor Flexibles claims its part in the boost of chicory sales in the Netherlands through its new packaging for the product. The company was awarded the Dutch packaging supply chain prize for 2005 along with seven other companies for their part in revitalising the chicory market with a product which has increased sales by 20 per cent.

The packaging was produced by Amcor Flexibles Ledbury in the UK,. It is a flexo printed 25 micron OPP flow wrap treated with a special coating to ensure the correct modified atmosphere to optimise shelf life.

An antimist system further maintained freshness and quality and enhanced the visibility of the chicory on the retail shelf.

"The judges recognised that chicory sales had been declining in recent years and the close cooperation between these companies succeeded in delivering a new pack format for chicory which has been readily accepted by consumers and achieved a considerable increase in sales within just a few months of its launch,"​ Amcor stated.

The award was also given to Quality Growers for its chicory product, the Greenery for transit packaging, retailer Deka-Markt, design agencies Visser Media Producties and Creative Formula and packaging machinery suppliers Ulma Packaging and Espera Nederland.

In the UK RPC Containers Blackburn said its "stylish squeezable" bottle has Sharwood's become a category leader in the ambient asian meals segment.

Sharwood's is using the squeezy bottle for its chutneys, after the packaging had success in the mayonnaise segement.

"Sharwood's is aiming to revolutionise the chutney and pickles sector with the launch of Green Label Squeezy Mango Chutney," RPC Containers Blackburn stated.

The custom-moulded 322ml bottle is injection moulded in clear PET. Further convenience is provided by the upside-down shape, the company stated. The curved appearance of the bottle adds an element of style, and the large labelling area allows the company to give prominence to the Green Label branding, the company stated.

Meanwhile Rapak has created what it is calling the world's first bag-in-box three litre pack. The pack is being used by Toury in France for its Cidou brand of orange juice.

Cidou is now being sold in three and five litre versions containing juice from concentrate, juice not from concentrate, orange juice and multi-fruit juice, according to Web Packaging, which creates Internet sites for new food products.

Rapak stated that the pack offers new benefits for consumers, including a shelf-life of up to five weeks after opening and greater convenience as it fits securely inside a standard fridge. The juice will maintain its shelf life for nine months if the pack is unopened, the company stated.

The pack uses a method that allows processors to achieve 100 per cent sterility throughout the filling process. It offers the security of heat-sealed closure both before and after filling and the assurance of a sterile and completely enclosed product transfer path, Rapak claimed.

Toury invested in two of the 2600E Intasept fillers for the launch of the product. The conmpany has the first fully automatic tap insertion after fill and incorporates the first fully automatic packing line for three litres.

Distributors and retailers also benefit from the new format with the option to choose from two, three, five, 10 and 20 litre capacities, Rapak stated.

In the US O.Berk has released square grip PET containers in 48 oz size with 89/400 neck finish as well as 64 and 128 oz sizes with 110-400 neck finishes.

The PET containers are capable of holding and pouring products such as nuts, jellybeans, pretzels, dog biscuits, bath salts, small soaps, and screws. The jars also have large area for labeling and screen-printing. O.Berk is targeting private label products and warehouse club stores.