Hybrid packaging designed for green benefits
hybrid between a bottle, can and pouch, offers
processors both environmental and convenience benefits for their
products, according to its manufacturer.
Aisapack claims that its new Aisacan has been designed with a rigid base and bottle shoulder and cap, whilst also making use of soft multilayer laminate walls for reduced weight to cut the amount of energy required for processing and transport. Environmental impact and raw material costs are increasingly becoming a major concern for food and beverage manufacturers, leading to growing demand for packaging and processing technology that can cut down on energy and materials use. To this end, Aisapack claims that the packaging can reduce the carbon footprint required by a rival polyethylene terephthalate (PET) container using a shrink sleeve by about 50 per cent. Reduced material requirements and the product's lighter weight, which can cut the amount of processing energy and transportation required for the product, said Aisapack. The company said it has also worked with the consulting agency Pira over certifying the purported sustainability benefits of the packaging. Group spokesperson Jonathan Shaw told BeverageDaily.com that while the Aisacan was not as light as pouch packaging, it still generally weighs less than most bottles, while still keeping weight where it's needed to ensure rigidity during storage and transportation. "As a packaging supplier we are ideally working towards using less materials within our products," he stated. According to the manufacturer, the Aisacan can make use of various materials like aluminium laminates in its walls to afford a can like feel designed to chill a product from a refrigerator. The propylene laminates can also be used for beverages with high-acidity levels below a pH of 4, making it ideal for products like sport drinks, the company claims. Aisapack said that in conjunction with its co-packer, the company has also devised a turnkey solution for processors to bring similar packaging technologies to their plants to speed up product innovation or brand extensions. The company clams to have performed extensive research and development on the solution to improve implementation. Belgium-based sports drink manufacturer WCUP had decided to use the packaging across it production line following market trials, the manufacturer added.
