Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/520302
34 STiR tea & coffee industry international / Issue 3, 2015 (June/July) Functionality first... More detailed messaging... Back to nature kraft... Or make it shine... demand packaging option, shares Vandenberg is reflective of that back to roots phi- losophy, portraying simple graphics, colors, and lots of mattes. To respond to the evolving needs of their client, Print Pack recently adopted Serac's Agami's Solution, an innovative product that uses the thermoforming process to trans- form plastic sheets into a tube and then blowing it into a mold. The end result are bottles that can either be the large neck design or be adapted into the round designs that have recently increased in popularity. Print Pack is just one example of a company adapting their packaging to address both the aesthetic and sustainable needs of their clientele. Today's bagged coffee is also about making that entire experience easier, said John- son, from accessible openings like a flip top to easy storage. Ease of use may not initial- ly drive sales, but it may ensure that a client returns. Consumers are seeking products that tell a green story. Sustainability has become one of the most important drivers of packaging innovations in coffee, he said. Reducing waste Sustainable options from the film used to the ink on the label continue to dominate discussions. Achieving the brand objectives means making the right choices from where the beans are sourced to the final package. At Innovia Films headquarters in Wigton, United Kingdom, sustainability has been a part of the conversation for a decade. The company's bio-based NatureFlex, first introduced in 2003, was the world's first renewable and compostable heat sealable cel- lulose film. Innovia's market edge lies in compostable surface coatings that ensure a functional package with high barriers to oxygen, moisture, oils, and grease. In the past two years, Hebert has noticed a big increase in demand for Innovia's NatureFlex film. "It offers a lot of benefits aside from the barrier and the green attributes," said Hebert. "It prints well and it's very easy to laminate and convert our films into functional pack- ages." Another key advantage is Innovia's metalized films that allow customers to use thinner caliber films while maintaining a good barrier. This product is particularly ef- fective in single serve lidding. Innovia film delivers the required performance. In order to be fully compostable, all aspects of the packaging need to be consid- ered. In response to a need for sustainable inks, Ultra Flex Packaging recently expand- ed their portfolio to include expanded gamet printing. This new process, states v.p. Todd M. Addison, allows Ultra Flex to create millions of colors from 7 basic ones. "It's a green statement for us, we use less ink and alcohol and the end effect is printing that is striking," said Addison. This technology will be tied into Ultra Flex's bio package as each of the inks has been preapproved for Eco toxicity. "The bottom line is if you don't take the material out of the ground then there is less of it that has to be recycled," said Dan Dickinson, senior director sustainable mar- keting at Hood Packaging in Jackson, Miss. Hood Packaging has been looking at other niche areas that impact the world of coffee like converting from standard milk jugs to flexible bags. The bags use 75% less plastic and are recyclable resulting in a dramatic reduction in landfill waste, said Dickinson. "Sustainability is about the whole picture," adds Vandenberg." Ultimately for us, we want packaging that takes up less space, packaging that goes away." Currently Pa- cific Bag's valve uses 35% less material than most of the other valves in the market, while maintaining its functionality. However; Vandenberg sees this valve as only a step in the right direction. Sustainability means looking at the entire process; whether the process to produce the product was truly a green story. Johnson agrees stressing that it is essential to conduct a full assessment of the value chain and look at the impact of the entire packaging solution. When projecting future trends, all manufacturers agree that sustainability will remain a high point of interest, expanding in all avenues from developing new bio resins to RTD. The definition of sustainability will also continue to be explored and expanded on, as both manufacturers and consumers learn what will truly have a better green story. Maximizing the consumer experience will also continue to take center stage, whether it's in creating more differentiated packaging printing to emphasize the spe- cialization of roasts or simply making the package easier to use. The beauty of today's packaging innovations is that they not only serve the need of the manufacturer but that of the consumer. Consumers want a package that appeals to them both aesthetically and philosophically. With today's packaging innovations, manufacturers are ensuring that these needs are not only addressed but exceeded.