In Demand
International Paper tackles packaging challenge.
by Jamie Popp
The demand for small, grippable, easy-to-open
packaging is nothing new in retail circles. The countless beverage options
in increasingly smaller sizes that exist on store shelves prove that
convenience is paramount and tiny is in. But what about packaging in the
foodservice arena?
Findings from a school milk pilot test performed by
national dairy organizations during the past year identified key components
of the way children consume milk. Not surprisingly, kids prefer
additional flavor variety and improved refrigerated displays for colder
milk and more appeal.
The results prompted some dairy processors to look
at alternative packaging features and schools to add additional cooler
displays in order to find ways to increase consumption of milk in schools.
“Paper packaging has long been the optimal
packaging solution for the school milk
channel,” says Jeanette Havens, assistant marketing manager for
beverage packaging at International Paper. “However, we knew that we
could improve this great package by making it easier to open.”
Identifying the consumer need for enhanced opening
features that are appealing to processors who are constantly looking for
cost effective packaging solutions, International Paper’s beverage
packaging business delivered.
The solution is the Eco-Pak Plus, a gabletop
package with an enhanced opening feature that will be offered at schools
this fall. This new development provides value to dairy processors because
it satisfies the consumer demand for easy-to-use packaging that is cost
effective.
With this new packaging, International Paper
demonstrates that many things can still be done with paper packaging in
order to increase school milk consumption, while adhering to schools’
budget parameters.
Team members at International Paper’s
Product Development Center in Loveland, Ohio, and converting facility in
Kalamazoo, Mich., developed the enhanced opening of the Eco-Pak Plus, based
on testing done with children in schools in Ohio and a prominent dairy
processor in the Northeast.
“Eco-Pak Plus is a unique opening feature
designed for straw hole puncture. The patent-pending design is an embossed
cross that allows for easier penetration without the risk of
leaking,” says Stephanie Kuhar, assistant marketing manager, beverage
packaging. “Our Evergreen N-8 Filling Machine is the preferred filler
for this market, efficiently filling up to 340 cartons per minute (20,400
per hour). Eco-Pak Plus is seamless to the filler and provides the
processor the ability to address this consumer concern while maintaining
their production efficiencies without increasing their material costs,
thereby optimizing our school milk packaging solution.”
But it’s not only school milk channels that
have jumped on the trend in new paper packaging; single-serve gabletop
packaging solutions have made their way to mass merchandisers and
traditional grocery channels as well. Juice companies such as Welch's and
Tropicana have introduced single-serve multi-packs of easy-to-open gabletop
packaged beverages to retail outlets nationwide. For example, Tropicana
Healthy Kids juice is available in a multi-pack of six 8-ounce cartons. In
addition, Welch’s recently launched a multi-pack of eight 6-ounce
Micro-Pak cartons in Concord Grape and Strawberry Breeze juice drink
flavors.
Eco-Pak multi-packs available in the retail
environment are similar in shape to traditional school milk cartons, but
have enhanced features such as high-quality graphics for shelf appeal, Tru
Taste barrier boards for improved shelf life, perforated straw openings for
added convenience and paperboard over-wraps that hold multiple servings in
a six-pack format. The Micro-Pak, typically found in mass-merchandise and
supercenter channels, provides all of the benefits of Eco-Pak cartons such
as high-quality graphics and multi-pack offerings, but has several other
innovative features such as a foil-patch straw hole for easier opening.
Havens attributes the success of Micro-Pak
packaging in retail outlets to its product features. Including its robust
Tru Taste Gold barrier boards, which protect the flavor and shelf life of
the product. Additional features such as the carton’s stable pyramid
bottom to prevent spilling, and its ability to fit conveniently in a cup
holder are important for on-the-go drinkers. The process-print graphics
capability makes the packaging more appealing to consumers, an option
attractive to juice companies that are vying for more shelf attention.
Whether it’s the foil-patched straw opening on
the Micro-Pak or the Eco-Pak Plus embossed opening on the Eco-Pak,
consumers of all ages will benefit from the easier and portable packaging
at school and home.
Jamie Popp is managing editor of Beverage Industry, published
by Stagnito Communications.
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