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Tuesday, January 31, 2012 Zipbox® on the Cover of Packaging Digest

Zipbox® is an innovative package format that combines the stability of a carton with the convenience of a resealable flexible package. This format offers new ways to market products on store shelves and enhance consumer convenience at home.

Last year, we introduced the first commercial application for Zipbox® – Plantation brand sugar from U.S. Sugar Co – which is the focus of this month’s Packaging Digest cover article. The article is packed with all the benefits Zipbox® offers, and explains why Plantation chose this revolutionary format for its sugar application.

While sugar is the first customer application, Zipbox® is suitable for a variety of consumer applications, including cereals, snacks, cookies, powdered goods, and anything that can be packed in a carton and needs to be kept fresh.

For more information about Zipbox® and U.S. Sugar, read the full Packaging Digest article, titled “Zippy New Carton is Revolutionary.”

Wednesday, October 19, 2011 Food Waste

According to a recent report from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), a division of the United Nations, which was recently presented at Interpack 2011, Americans and Europeans produce approximately 209-253 pounds of food waste a year. Based on a report from the CDC, the American male weighs about 200 lbs on average. Yes, folks, we are literally throwing away our weight, and then some, in food every year.

The report from FAO highlights the reasons for food waste in the US and Europe. One of these factors is the perceived freshness of perishables.

We at Zip-Pak have been discussing this issue for quite a while. Resealable flexible packaging improves product freshness by reducing exposure to oxygen and other environmental contaminates.

We’re interested to see if these findings will be reported by the mainstream consumer media. One thing is for sure, in a world of increasingly worrying reports of impending environmental challenges, a sustainable future has become a global issue for governments, consumers, retailers and brand owners alike, and food waste is certainly part of the problem.

Monday, October 17, 2011 Thinking Outside the Cereal Box

The Dieline.com, a leading packaging design blog, recently uploaded a massive collection of vintage cereal boxes that follows multiple brands’ designs through the years. Talk about a walk down memory lane! But it occurred to us here at Zip-Pak that not much has really changed over the years…

From Olympic champions to kid-friendly characters, countless cultural icons have graced American breakfast tables on cereal boxes for decades. The dominant packaging format, bag-in-box, has served its purpose for just as long. Will the bag-in-box format continue to have staying power?

As consumers increasingly criticize any seemingly excess packaging, the cereal box seems like obvious prey. And as the trend toward keeping products fresher, longer to reduce food waste continues to take hold, trying unsuccessfully to tuck away the plastic bag inside a cereal box could soon become as retro as Dinky Donuts and Frosty O’s.

Cereal manufacturers seem cautious, and they may have good reason. Cereal is and has been a staple in American homes since the 1930’s. Last year, a simple re-design of Tropicana orange juice cartons resulted in consumer resistance, prompting the brand to abandon its new sleek look for the consumer-preferred traditional package. With that in mind, it is to be expected that changing a package as iconic as the cereal box could result in a similar uproar.

Fortunately for both brand managers and consumers, new packaging technologies are on the horizon and could meet demands for both a box and a pouch. Semi-flexible containers, for instance, provide consumers with the ability to stack boxes in a cabinet while still offering the convenience of a resealable closure. Such innovative concepts also meet the need to keep products fresh throughout the last use, helping to reduce food waste, which can emit harmful carbon dioxide during decomposition in a landfill.

With new technologies and packaging solutions available to consumer product companies these days, we believe the cereal aisle is long overdue for a material makeover.

Saturday, October 15, 2011 Give Consumers the Lowdown on Labels

Packaging not only greets consumers and influences their purchasing decisions immediately, but it can also empower them to try something new. With that in mind, Starbucks launched a new labeling system for its packaged coffee last year. Calling the design a “level system,” the brand’s packaging tells consumers which coffee fits their taste profile through a numbering and color system.

It’s an innovative concept, especially for those consumers who are increasingly time-crunched and looking for ways to shop easier and smarter. In addition, less-seasoned coffee drinkers can feel more empowered about their purchasing decision by the information on the label, ensuring they are picking the right premium coffee for their tastes. It opens the brand up to a new group of consumers; those that want to try premium coffee but have perhaps been too intimidated to do so.

Consumer product goods companies should take note of how Starbucks is enticing shoppers and consider similar labeling systems for the unique aspects of their products.

Tuesday, October 11, 2011 Packaging of the Future

In a recent article from Packaging World, predictions are made for the future of the packaging industry in the seemingly likely event that resources will be hard to come by.

Not surprisingly, the article predicts that the most resource-efficient package will dominate the market. Sustainability and the idea of “going green” permeate almost every type of industry these days, and packaging is no exception.

In addition to sustainability, though, packagers will need to keep in mind functionality. While this is still an important factor in today’s packaging world, it will become even more important in the resource-strapped future. Companies who pay the most attention to the resources that go into their packaging and the carbon footprint it leaves behind will find the most success.

At Zip-Pak, we’re constantly thinking about the environment and our impact on it. Our resealable solutions support sustainability in areas such as package-to-product ratios, CO2 emissions and cube utilization, and we are a proud member of the Sustainable Packaging Coalition.

This article from Packaging World has only done more to validate our belief that sustainability should be a priority in packaging, both now and in the future.

Monday, September 26, 2011 ZIP-PAK® SLIDER™ SELECT™ Unveiled at PACK EXPO 2011

Zip-Pak, the global leader in materials and machinery for resealable packaging, announces the launch of its new ZIP-PAK® SLIDER™ SELECT™. Zip-Pak’s smallest and lightest-weight slider option, the slider system offers cost savings by reducing the mass of the system and enhances consumer usability through ergonomic design.

The smaller slider offers unprecedented manufacturing performance, boasting speeds of over 150 closures per minute (CPM). In addition to production benefits, the new slider also features advanced leak resistance to help keep food products fresh and seal in flavor. Unlike other slider options, which rely on an area of pre-activation, the Slider Select does not require a small opening or a protruding finger for the clip to work properly.

The Package Realization Team™, Zip-Pak’s exclusive group of experts, works with brand owners and converters around the world to transition product into resealable flexible formats and implement new closure innovations. As the only zipper supplier with an in-house equipment division, Zip-Pak can also develop custom retrofit attachments to minimize investments in new machinery or recommend new applicator equipment.

“We recognize that our customers are under constant pressure to reduce costs and enhance their eco-profiles through material savings and manufacturing efficiencies,” says Elizabeth Sheaffer, Marketing Manager at Zip-Pak. “At the same time, we understand consumer demand for products presented in high-quality, easy-to-use packaging. We are constantly enhancing our existing solutions and machinery capabilities to provide brand managers with innovative and sustainable packaging options that meet material reduction and efficiency requirements.”

Like all ZIP-PAK® SLIDER™ solutions, the Slider Select features an ergonomically designed “clip” that enables consumers to easily open and close a package. This technology is ideal for pre-made pouches and form/fill/seal applications, and can run on virtually all packaging formats and machinery configurations.

Monday, September 26, 2011 First Commercial Application of Zipbox® to Hit Store Shelves

Zipbox®, a joint venture between Zip-Pak and T.H.E.M., announces that Plantation® brand natural “raw” sugar will be the first product to go to market in the new Zipbox® resealable carton format.

Plantation®, which will debut in the United States this year, chose Zipbox® because it alters the packaging landscape on the shelf, ensuring it stands out among traditional pouch packs in the “natural sugars” segment.

“When we were first introduced to the Zipbox, its novelty was compelling because we knew it would resonate with retailers as an innovative new package format,” said William McDaniel, President and CEO of U.S. Sugar Co., Inc., the manufacturer of the Plantation brand. “There has not been a successful packaging innovation in the sugar category for several years, and we are excited to take our Plantation brand to market as the first in this type of package.”

Zipbox is a poly-coated paperboard carton incorporating an attached flexible film header containing a ZIP-PAK® Press-to-Close™ solution. Zipbox is designed to facilitate direct-filling of products without the need for an inner liner. By removing the liner, the package can hold up to 40 percent more product, maximizing the product-to-package ratio and cube utilization to reduce transportation costs.

“We were pleased to see the cost of producing the Zipbox was quite competitive with other package formats when taking fill speeds and pallet efficiencies into account,” adds McDaniel.

The three-pound Zipbox format was chosen in order to give the consumer a better value compared to existing “raw sugar” products. The larger quantity is meant for multiple uses, making Zipbox the ideal package format to enhance consumer convenience through easy opening and reclosing. Zipbox® also eliminates the need to use clips or transfer contents into a separate container, keeping marketing messages in front of the consumer through the last use.

“In our consumer insight testing, Zipbox was recognized as an intuitive and easy-to-use package format for consumers of all ages,” explains Frank Kelly, Business Manager for Zipbox. “The Plantation sugar team is certainly forward-thinking when it comes to delivering on the types of convenient features consumers now demand.”

“Commercializing a new product can be extremely challenging, but the supply chain partners and brand worked well together,” concludes Neil Kozarsky, President of T.H.E.M. “We are applying this initial experience to a wide range of brands that are eager to deliver innovation and convenience.”

Tuesday, September 20, 2011 Innovative and Attention-Grabbing Packaging

In large stores that carry thousands of different brands, it can be hard to stand out from the crowd, or rather, the shelf.

A recent innovation survey from Shelf Impact! takes a look at some of the most unique and well thought-out packaging designs across all types of industries, from beauty to ice cream to alcohol.

The 15 package designs that landed a spot on this list did so for a variety of reasons, including sustainability and artistic design. One of the most versatile on the list is Greek winemaker Ktima Gerovassilou, whose wine containers have a built in handle for easy carrying and can also double as wine rack. Such an innovative feature means it can be used over and over again for other bottles once the wine that came in it has been finished.

Each of the examples on the list, found a way to stand out to consumers in innovative ways. Not only are they visually pleasing, but their designs make life easier for consumers.

Leave a message in the comments with your favorite new innovative packaging features.

Monday, August 15, 2011 Summertime Reminds Us of the Impact of Freshness

For those of us who don’t enjoy hot temperatures year-round, summertime is synonymous with more than just baseball and beaches. We look forward to the fresh food – in-season fruits and vegetables, seafood right from the ocean and meats straight from the grill to our plates.

Freshness has become increasingly important to consumers all year long. Health-conscious shoppers buy local and organic products in larger than ever numbers because they associate freshness with better nutrition. Bevnet recently reported that Packaged Facts projects U.S. sales of natural and organic food and beverages to grow by 45 percent by the end of the year, eventually surpassing $78 billion in sales by 2015.

But whether foods are organic, produced locally – or neither, packaging plays a significant role in preserving the four important aspects of freshness: flavor, scent, texture and nutrition. These traits are not only indicators of product integrity, but vital parts of the product experience.

Preserving these four aspects of product integrity starts with a secure seal. Applying a resalable zipper closure prevents prolonged air exposure which can cause products to lose flavor, scent and nutrients faster – shortening the product lifespan and generating food waste. Resalable closures help prevent rapid oxidization and prolong positive product experiences. Each time a consumer opens the package for another serving; the product will taste, smell and feel just like it did the first time. Additionally, consumers enjoy knowing that the wholesomeness of that product is better intact.

It might not be summer all the time, but with fresher foods, at least it can taste like it.

Monday, August 15, 2011 Summertime Reminds Us of the Impact of Freshness

For those of us who don’t enjoy hot temperatures year-round, summertime is synonymous with more than just baseball and beaches. We look forward to the fresh food – in-season fruits and vegetables, seafood right from the ocean and meats straight from the grill to our plates.

Freshness has become increasingly important to consumers all year long. Health-conscious shoppers buy local and organic products in larger than ever numbers because they associate freshness with better nutrition. Bevnet recently reported that Packaged Facts projects U.S. sales of natural and organic food and beverages to grow by 45 percent by the end of the year, eventually surpassing $78 billion in sales by 2015.

But whether foods are organic, produced locally – or neither, packaging plays a significant role in preserving the four important aspects of freshness: flavor, scent, texture and nutrition. These traits are not only indicators of product integrity, but vital parts of the product experience.

Preserving these four aspects of product integrity starts with a secure seal. Applying a resalable zipper closure prevents prolonged air exposure which can cause products to lose flavor, scent and nutrients faster – shortening the product lifespan and generating food waste. Resalable closures help prevent rapid oxidization and prolong positive product experiences. Each time a consumer opens the package for another serving; the product will taste, smell and feel just like it did the first time. Additionally, consumers enjoy knowing that the wholesomeness of that product is better intact.

It might not be summer all the time, but with fresher foods, at least it can taste like it.

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Tuesday, January 31, 2012 Zipbox® on the Cover of Packaging Digest

Zipbox® is an innovative package format that combines the stability of a carton with the convenience of a resealable flexible package. This format offers new ways to market products on store shelves and enhance consumer convenience at home.

Last year, we introduced the first commercial application for Zipbox® – Plantation brand sugar from U.S. Sugar Co – which is the focus of this month’s Packaging Digest cover article. The article is packed with all the benefits Zipbox® offers, and explains why Plantation chose this revolutionary format for its sugar application.

While sugar is the first customer application, Zipbox® is suitable for a variety of consumer applications, including cereals, snacks, cookies, powdered goods, and anything that can be packed in a carton and needs to be kept fresh.

For more information about Zipbox® and U.S. Sugar, read the full Packaging Digest article, titled “Zippy New Carton is Revolutionary.”

Tuesday, November 30, 2010 New Cartoner Technology Enables CPGs to Perform Consumer and Shelf-Life Testing of Zipbox®

FDA-registered packaging facility to demonstrate production of innovative resealable carton for faster market entry

Zipbox®, a joint venture between T.H.E.M. and Zip-Pak, announces the delivery of the first proof-of-principal cartoner to facilitate short-run production of the Zipbox® package. The capability will enable consumer product goods companies (CPGs) to source filled Zipbox® packages from T.H.E.M.’s FDA-registered facility in Marlton, NJ for consumer insights, product shelf-life and other testing. Zipbox® is an innovative package format that combines the stability of a carton with the convenience of a resealable flexible package.

“Bringing a brand new package format to market can be challenging for brand managers,” said Neil Kozarsky, President of T.H.E.M. “As we learned with our stick pack business, by enabling short-run production, we can provide guidance to companies who want to implement the Zipbox, allowing them to conduct necessary research and bring it to market faster.”

Zipbox® is a poly-coated paperboard carton incorporating an attached flexible film header containing a DoubleZip™ zipper profile. The proof-of-principal cartoner, from Yeaman Machine Technologies, erects the container, fills product through the bottom and seals the carton.

Zipbox® is designed to facilitate direct-filling of products without the need for an inner liner. By removing the liner, the package style can hold up to 40 percent more contents, maximizing the product-to-package ratio and cube utilization to reduce transportation costs.

“The Zipbox concept has generated considerable excitement from CPGs and consumers as an intuitive, easy-to-use carton unlike any package style on store shelves today,” adds Frank Kelly, Business Manager of Zipbox. “Demonstrating the ability to produce Zipbox on a broad scale is the next step in revolutionizing the way products are brought to market.”

Zipbox is ideal for a variety of consumer applications, including cereals, snacks, cookies, frozen foods, pet foods, and powdered laundry detergents.

Monday, November 1, 2010 Zip-Pak Launches New Pouch Format

Zip360™ Offers Consumer Convenience and Shelf-Impact for Wide Range of Markets

Zip-Pak introduces Zip360™ at PACK EXPO International 2010. The new flexible pouch format features a wide opening and pour-spout functionality to enhance consumer convenience across multiple applications. Zip360™ also enables graphics around the entire surface area of the pouch to maximize shelf impact at the point of purchase.

Developed in conjunction with Triangle Package Machinery Co. and Printpack, Inc., Zip360™ will be running on a Triangle vertical form fill seal machine in Zip-Pak’s booth, #S-1902, during PACK EXPO International 2010.

“Consumers are more outspoken than ever about their packaging,” said Elizabeth Sheaffer, Marketing Manager at Zip-Pak. “Our goal is to enable brand owners to deliver forward-looking packaging, and Zip360 is an innovative pouch format that addresses consumer desire for convenience through functionality and resealability.”

The new pouch format’s wide-mouth opening allows consumers of snack mixes, frozen chicken, cookies and crackers, and pet food and treats to easily access and scoop contents. Zip360™ also enables pour-spout functionality, an ideal benefit for cereal, frozen food and vegetable applications.

The resealable closure eliminates the need to transfer contents into a separate container, keeping marketing messages in front of the consumer from initial purchase to last use.

Compared to traditional bag-in-box formats, Zip360™ reduces the amount of materials needed to manufacture a package. Zip-Pak recently commissioned a life cycle analysis, conducted by independent research firm Franklin Associates, Inc., comparing 20-ounce bag-in-box formats to 21-ounce resealable flexible pouches. The study confirmed that resealable flexible packages offer superior product-to-package ratio, lower energy footprint, lower solid waste footprint and lower greenhouse gas emissions throughout their life-cycle.

Monday, October 5, 2009 Zip-Pak Launches New Zip-Pak® Slider™ Advantage For More Eco-Friendly Resealable Packaging

The new smaller slider solution is designed with less material to reduce manufacturing costs and decrease a package’s environmental footprint. (more…)

Thursday, June 18, 2009 Honeytop Tortilla Wraps Incorporate ZIP-PAK® Resealable Closure

Honeytop Speciality Foods has introduced convenient new resealable packaging for its range of tortilla wraps, sold under the brand of a leading UK retailer.

Wednesday, January 28, 2009 Wyke Farms Launches New Design and Format with Re-Sealable Packaging

Wyke Farms, the UK’s largest independent cheese producer and milk processor, today unveiled a new line of re-designed, re-sealable packaging for the company’s range of award-winning farmhouse cheddar.

Sunday, November 9, 2008 Packaging Digest Highlights Zip-Pak’s Technology and Plumrose USA

Plumrose Updates Packaging with ZIP-PAK ® DoubleZip™

Friday, September 19, 2008 Zip-Pak to Introduce Economical Retrofit Technology at PACK EXPO International 2008

New System Enables the Transition to Brand-Differentiating Resealable Packaging without a Significant Capital Investment.

Monday, April 28, 2008 Research Demonstrates Flexible Packaging Is a More Sustainable Alternative to Rigid

Zip-Pak announces life cycle inventory research findings on sustainability of flexible packaging for deli meat and cereal applications at Interpack 2008.

Friday, April 25, 2008 Norwegian Meat Manufacturer Increases Access to Market Share by Over 55 %

Company provides consumer convenience with resealable packaging technology from Zip-Pak.

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Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Zipbox® on the Cover of Packaging Digest

Zipbox® is an innovative package format that combines the stability of a carton with the convenience of a resealable flexible package. This…

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