Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/1539374
STiR coffee and tea 19 Trustworthy advising ... Use our knowledge to your benefit. With our outstanding experience in tea buying and blend development, we offer you high-quality teas, sophisticated formulations and latest tea innovations. Independently. Personally. Since 1992. Get an impression of us: www.kktee.de es to escape without letting oxygen in, preventing pouch dam- age and extending shelf life, ensuring both product protection and sustainability." Pushing innovation even further, Ecotact has "developed 9-layer hermetic packaging technology with close-to-zero oxy- gen and moisture transmission rates, which significantly extends shelf life for more than 365 days while remaining 100% recy- clable and reusable," explains Jain. Ecotact's Ship Shield Con- tainer Liners even won the Best Sustainable Product Award at the 2022 World Specialty Coffee Conference in Japan (SCAJ). Flexible coffee and tea packaging is expected to lead the market in the coming years, driven by convenience, lower costs, and the use of innovative materials, such as compostable films and recyclable plastics. Sustainable Solutions: From Farm to Cup The range of sustainable packaging options has expanded dra- matically across the industry. Today's innovative solutions fall into several key categories: Recyclable Packaging Systems Advanced Code 4 and Code 5 recyclable pouches are gain- ing traction, designed to support circular economy principles. These solutions incorporate sophisticated barrier properties while maintaining end-of-life recyclability. Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) Content Manufacturers are developing pouches made from PCR mate- rials, where virgin plastic layers protect food contact surfaces while recycled content forms the structural components. Plant-Based Materials Viable alternatives are emerging in the form of 100% plant- derived packaging materials, offering biodegradability without compromising protection capabilities. Paper-Based Solutions Completely plastic-free paper pouches are being refined to pro- vide adequate barrier properties for coffee and tea storage. Advanced Hermetic Technology Multilayer hermetic packaging systems now achieve near-zero oxygen and moisture transmission rates, extending shelf life beyond 365 days while remaining fully recyclable and reusable. Modern sustainable packaging also features impressive technical specifications, including temperature tolerance rang- ing from -30°C (-22°F) to 90°C (194°F) and high resistance to oil and solvents, crucial for maintaining quality across diverse climate conditions and global supply chains. Ecotact's multilayered hermetic bags store green coffee inside burlap sacks and have a high barrier against oxygen and moisture, keeping coffee beans fresh throughout storage and the value chain. Photo credit: Ecotact