Amcor, a global leader in responsible packaging solutions, will showcase some of its latest packaging solutions for food and beverage, home and personal care, medical and pharmaceutical industries at Interpack 2017 (Hall 9/B15) May 4-10 in Düsseldorf, Germany. Innovations on display will include Amcor’s AmLite, a metal-free laminate for high-barrier packaging; Vento™, a coffee packaging system with built-in venting control for ground and whole beans; and PushPop, a patented stand-up pack with a novel easy-opening system.
“Amcor’s products address the increasingly challenging needs of brand owners, retailers, and manufacturers who seek to differentiate their products in a highly competitive marketplace,” said Luca Zerbini, vice president of marketing, R&D and sustainability for Amcor Flexibles EMEA. “Our research and packaging development focuses on high performance, consumer appeal, product safety, digitalization, cost benefits as well sustainability advancements.”
REDUCING PACKAGING’S CARBON FOOTPRINT BY UP TO 40%
An example of more sustainable packaging that Amcor will share at Interpack is its AmLite line of metal-free films for high-barrier packaging. AmLite provides up to 40% carbon footprint reduction and up to 21% packaging weight reduction compared to standard Alu-based materials. AmLite utilizes Amcor’s extensive experience in high-barrier coating to create a lightweight, transparent material that offers excellent product protection. “Amcor performs product lifecycle assessments (LCAs) for our customers to help them make informed decisions when comparing packaging options,” said Gerald Rebitzer, director of sustainability for Amcor Flexibles EMEA and Americas. “Customers have been very impressed when reviewing LCA results for AmLite versus their current alu-based packaging. We’ve had customers switch to AmLite and reduce their packaging’s carbon footprint for nuts, coffee, cereals, and snacks by as much as thirty percent.” The latest option in the AmLite line is AmLite Ultra, which offers the highest transparent barrier levels, comparable to that of aluminum, using Amcor Ultra SiOx coating.
LOWERING PACKAGING COSTS WHILE PRESERVING FLAVOUR
Amcor will also showcase Vento, the only coffee packaging system with built-in venting control, allowing coffee to be packed immediately after roasting with no additional equipment or processes. Vento eliminates hard valves, added machinery, and extra processing steps to deliver simplification and improved total cost of ownership.
Liepaja Coffee Factory, a leading coffee producer in the Baltic region, recently launched Konigstern, its first brand of ground coffee, in Vento packaging. “For us as a local manufacturer, it is important to emphasize that we offer freshly roasted coffee that rivals our competitors. The integrated Vento degassing system facilitates this by allowing us to pack immediately after roasting,” said Michael Buresh, sales director for Liepaja Coffee Factory. “Vento is an all-in-one option, so all we need to do is order the packaging,” explained Buresh. “The streamlined packing process also reduces downtime and cost.”
Liepaja’s new Konigstern ground coffee was rated as one of Latvia’s most successful new hot drinks of 2016.
STANDING OUT IN THE GROCERY AISLE
Products on display that address differentiation will include Amcor’s CanSealPro line of direct seal aluminium membranes for cans; ProtectValve system that allows gentle in-pack steaming of fresh vegetables; and PushPop packaging, an innovative, patented stand-up pack with a novel easy-opening system that preserves barrier integrity. With PushPop, consumers simply push in the special perforation on the top and pop the pack wide open. Shelf stackable and printable on the entire surface, PushPop guarantees optimal in-store display and improves consumer convenience for snacking, sharing and on-the-go consumption. Amcor’s PushPop has won broad consumer acceptance for a range of products including crisps, prepared fruit and vegetables and ready-to-eat snacks.
A total of 17 Amcor products will be on display at Interpack, representing the company’s latest innovations. Amcor materials will also appear in live processing demonstrations at various machine manufacturers’ booths.
During Interpack Amcor will also assemble some of the industry’s leading packaging experts for the “Big Ideas” speaking events and panel discussions (taking place in the Amcor room Hall1/ 111). The Big Ideas sessions will provide Amcor customers and partners an opportunity to discuss key industry topics and connect with experts from Mintel, Neilson, IDEO and McKinsey, among others.