Flexible Packaging
Study confirms environmental benefits of pouches for certain food products
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life cycle assessment study, carried out by the Institute for Energy and Environmental Research (ifeu) reveals that flexible pouches are better packaging options – in terms of environmental performance – for olives and pasta sauce. The new study, which investigates the environmental performance and impacts of multi-material pouches used for pasta sauce and olives, and compares them with alternative packaging systems, has found flexible pouches offer clear advantages. Commissioned by FPE, the study was conducted by the ifeu institute using a life cycle assessment (LCA) approach. It was based on the market situation in Europe in 2020. Alternative packaging systems examined were glass jars and steel cans, which are commonly used for these products in Europe. The entire packaging systems were considered, including primary, secondary and tertiary packaging. In the comparison, the advantages of pouches were underlined in almost
multi-material pouches for the packaging of pasta sauce or olives on the European market is recommended when compared to the alternative packaging systems commonly used.”
all impact categories of the LCA. In the category Climate Change (carbon footprint) the flexible pouches showed a more than 60% lower impact than the rigid alternatives. The only exception was aquatic eutrophication, the impacts of which stem from more cardboard used in secondary packaging, which is necessary to achieve enough stability for transportation. Commenting on the study, ifeu project manager Frank Wellenreuther said: “From an environmental viewpoint, the choice of
Despite the common focus on recycling as the main sustainability indicator for packaging, the study found that the end- of-life of the packaging doesn’t always play a major role in the overall environmental performance. The hypothetical application of a 100% collection for recycling rate, to some extent, reduced the impact for all packaging systems, without changing the ranking order between these packaging systems. The study’s findings show that flexible packaging is an effective route to minimising environmental impacts. In addition, the entire value chain is actively working on its recycling performance and making flexible packaging even more sustainable.
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flexpack-europe.org Why flexible packaging is a consumer favourite
By Parkside global sales director Paula Birch
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espite the challenges often presented by plastic flexible packaging in terms of recycling, the format is remaining a firm favourite with brands, retailers and consumers alike. According to research by Markets & Markets, the global flexible plastic packaging category is projected to grow from $160.8billion in 2020 to $200.5billion by 2025. During the recent pandemic, a number of consumer trends have emerged that favoured the format, including new demand for hygienic packaging designs. A boom in people purchasing pets for comfort was also observed, resulting in increased demand for pet food, where the preferred format tends to be flexible packaging. UK supermarkets have now warned of a shortage of pouches for some dog and cat food products following an “unprecedented” rise in requirements. In the UK alone, demand is currently outstripping pouching capacity, and imports are also slower than usual, due to the impact of Brexit administration.
But why is flexible packaging booming in popularity?
CONVENIENCE
Consumers live fast-paced lifestyles, and this has drastically shifted the way brands pack their products over the years. The need for consumption convenience is a critical factor that has contributed to the rise in popularity of flexible packaging. Research by the Flexible Packaging Association found that ‘consumers value it because it’s ‘easy to store, easy to open and can possess the ability to reseal’. The lightweight properties of flexible packaging make it ideal for on-the-go consumption compared with rigid plastics or glass and, by utilising robust laminates, flexible packaging ensures product safety and quality when handled or dropped. For the pack designer, flexible packaging offers complete versatility being suitable for a wide range of product applications – from detergent to baby foods. The format also enables easy dispensing with built-in features including caps, zips, easy-tear perforations and reclose designs.
EXTENDED SHELF LIFE
One of the most significant environmental issues facing the world is food waste, across supply chains, retailing and in the home. Flexible packaging can be designed with high barrier materials and air-tight seals ensuring gas and moisture ingress or egress can be avoided, alongside being suitable for pasteurisation and retort applications. This extended freshness means less product is being sent to landfill due to spoilage. In addition, the ability to reseal also reduces the consumer’s reliance on secondary plastics, such as cling film, in the home.
OUTSTANDING DESIGN
Brand owners are constantly seeking ways to enhance their ranges to improve on-shelf differentiation. Flexible packaging substrates enable high-quality and impactful graphics to be printed with 100% and 360-degree branding and work well in vertical orientation for stand out on shelf, as well as being highly ergonomic for the consumer.
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parksideflex.com 10 May 2021
convertermag.com
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