Page 37 - Food & Drink Magazine July 2018

Bags of ideas
We look at three innovations that are new to market.
PACKAGING INNOVATION
OUT OF THE BOX
Jet Technologies has launched a cask solution suitable for all types of drinks, which can be custom-printed to maximise branding on shelf.
The company says its preservation quality is superior to bag-in-box systems.
The cask allows companies to brand their drink products without the need for additional external packaging.
The bags are flexible, self-supporting, and come in 1.5, 2, 3 or 5 litre sizes with a choice of aseptic options. They allow liquid or beverage suppliers to maintain the quality of their product beyond a traditional bag-in-box product.
The shaped pouch provides a modern look, with a carry handle that also helps with pouring.
“We are excited to be offering the Australian and New Zealand drinks marketplace access to a new innovation in the packaging of liquid products,” general manager Daniel Malki said.
“Our innovative cask can help extend the shelf life of a range of beverages when compared to using bag-in-box systems.”
“Shelf life is extended due to the film structure of the packaging, which provides an important barrier to oxygen and ensures the preservation of the product for a longer period of time,” Malki says.
“For example, this permits wine to be kept for up to eight weeks in ambient environments after opening, and up to six weeks after opening for many other drinks including fruit juice.”
SNACK SIZED
Snack packaging technology is the focus of a new vertical form fill seal bagmaker from Ishida and available through Heat and Control.
Called Inspira, the bagmaker has been designed to offer quality bags and increase production for snack-makers.
Packaging and inspection systems business manager Robert Marguccio said the machine has been developed in response to demand for effective automation and communications between the weigher and bagmaker.
“Inspira’s ease of access, predictive maintenance, and
ability to work with a wide variety of films makes it easy to operate,” he said.
The rotary motion Inspira offers forming/ sealing performance of up to 200 bags
per minute.
With increased
flavour and portion demands from the consumer market,
product runs can be shorter, allowing for quicker changeovers and shorter down time.
The Inspira offers high levels of productivity performance, pack quality, reduced environmental impact, and improved operator working conditions, such as an increased level of automation, which reduces the risk of human error.
It helps operators to act and
of PET resin Indorama Ventures on the project.
Ioniqa has developed a proprietary technology that is able to convert any PET waste, including coloured packs, back into transparent virgin grade material.
The technology has passed its pilot stage and is now moving
LEFT: The Inspira bagmaker from Ishida.
ABOVE: Jet’s new cask solution can be custom printed.
to react more quickly and intuitively and to avoid complex decision-making and unnecessary physical exertion.
The open structure gives operators easy access to all important parts.
A key element in the overall system is Ishida’s in-line seal checker (TSC). Using feedback communications to the Inspira, TSC continuously monitors fill level and compares bags to the targeted value.
BACK TO BASICS
Unilever is pioneering a new technology that can convert PET waste back into virgin grade material for use in food packaging.
The food giant is partnering with start-up company Ioniqa and the largest global producer
towards testing at an industrial scale, according to Unilever.
If proven successful at industrial scale, in future it will be possible to convert all PET back into high quality, food-grade packaging, and the new technology can be repeated indefinitely.
Only around 20 per cent
of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) currently makes its way to recycling plants.
In 2017, Unilever committed to all of its plastic packaging being reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025.
“We want all of our packaging to be fit for a world that is circular by design, stepping away from the take-make- dispose model that we currently live in,” Unilever chief R&D officer David Blanchard said. ✷
“ We are excited to be offering the Australian and New Zealand drinks marketplace access to a new innovation in the packaging of liquid products.”
www.foodanddrinkbusiness.com.au | July 2018 | Food&Drink business | 37