Twist the cocktail pack to mix the ingredients
This is an interesting development in the world of alcoholic cocktail drinks. iMix is a business that offers a range of solutions for chambered packaging that contain different elements that can then be combined to deliver a mixed product. On this occasion, they have launched a pack in the shape of a cocktail shaker. The idea is that consumers can add a little excitement to the drinking experience by mixing the contents themselves. The upper capsule of the pack is divided into three sections, each of which contains a cocktail ingredient. Consumers twist the top capsule to open the contents, add ice and shake.
Eye catching round pouch fits neatly in coffee can
A new round pouch for Italian coffee specialists illycafé has been created by Huhtamaki Flexible Packaging in close collaboration with machine supplier Optima. Refilly is a three-dimensional 200g round pouch consisting of four elements. The flexible, easy open refill pack pushes neatly into an existing 250g illy metal can and reduces waste weight and volume of empty packs by 80%. The pouch is also designed to keep the full aroma of the coffee inside and uses a release valve in the peel lid to deliver a release of air along with the coffee aroma.
We have previously reported on 
NatureWorks is the manufacturer of the plant-based biopolymer called Ingeo. The company has collaborated with Italian metallized film producer Metalvuoto to develop a high barrier substrate with the intention of improving the shelf-life of processed foods. The innovation is called Ingeo Propylester. The Metalvuoto film consist of only two layers and it is claimed that it delivers a performance equivalent to that of three-layer pouches. Metalvuoto’s films boast high gas, aroma and water vapour barriers to help preserve packaged foods. The new film is created by coating Ingeo with Metalvuoto’s Oxaqua biocoating technology. This is combined with paper to provide a fully biobased pack comparable cost and performance wise with three-layer equivalents.
moisture-permeable cheese membrane that can be used to pack and preserve natural crust cheeses. The initiative is called Pack-Age and is being touted as a natural solution that is comparable to traditional paper bags and barrier film packaging. The cheese crust quality is apparently maintained for longer, resulting in less food waste combined with a longer shelf life. The moisture-permeable properties ensures that cheese weight loss is limited during the maturation process.
You might have seen on social media recently news about US retailer Sobeys and the selling of pre-packed avocado halves. It’s safe to say it didn’t go down well. Packaging can really help deliver convenience for consumers but this is perhaps not the most environmentally-friendly of initiatives.
