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.