POUCHES | MATERIALS
Plastic pouches are finding increasing use but producers are under pressure to improve sustainability – such as by making mono-material products, or using more recyclate
Packing a punch: latest developments in pouches
Plastic pouches have become more prevalent by replacing heavier packaging products such as jars and bottles. This has been seen everywhere – from pet food to fresh fruit. Delegates at the recent Plastic Pouches online
conference – organised by AMI – learnt more about some of the latest developments in pouches. Tree Top is a US-based collective of around 900
fruit growers. The fruit is sold in several forms, including ingredients, juice and packaged goods such as snack packs. Andy Juarez, director of operations and engi- neering at Tree Top, told delegates that the company has eight fruit processing facilities. It began using plastic pouches since 2009 – and this has continued to increase. In 2012, it began supply- ing apple sauce in spouted pouches – and auto- mated this one year later. The company now has three fully automated form, fill, seal (FFS) pouch lines. It fills around 1.2
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million pouches per week, and more than 100m per year. Tree Top has also invested in a fourth line, which is due to be installed in mid-2022, going into operation by September. The new line will move away from FFS, producing pouches in various sizes for apple sauce and other products including baby food. “The new line needs greater flexibility, but must compete with FFS on cost,” said Juarez. He added that spouted pouches are increasingly
expected to be recyclable, but again in a way that does not “break the bank”.
Catching a Wave Recycling is a key issue for pouches, and Willemijn Peeters – CEO of Searious Business – explained how the company has developed a recyclable drinks pouch. Critical aspects for the pouch include a suitable barrier – to maintain shelf life – as well as
July/August 2021 | FILM & SHEET EXTRUSION 27
Main image: Plastic pouches have found their way into many new applications – including pureed fruit for toddlers
IMAGE: SHUTTERSTOCK
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