Flexible packaging is a very versatile packaging solution using single or multi-layer plastic films or thin multi-layer composite materials (obtained by combining plastic films laminated with thin cellulose and/or aluminium films and/or with coated or metallised plastic films). These flexible substrates (laminates, multilayer, multi-material) are used to create packaging that conforms to the shape of the contents.
Flowpack is a type of packaging that consists of a rectangular bag made of flexible film welded into a tube, sealed at both ends and then cut. It is used for:
- Solid products (bakery, confectionery, fruit and vegetables and some medicines)
- Granules (rice, pasta or frozen foods)
- Powders and liquids.
This protective packaging (PE, PP, PET, PA) improves product preservation, is light and resistant. The flowpack avoids any alteration in the organoleptic characteristics of the products and offers the best ratio between the weight of the packaging and the weight of the contents. For example, a pack of crackers weighs 36.75 grams and its packaging only 0.60 grams. In addition, flowpack reduces food waste: as well as extending the shelf life of food, it allows safe portioning and storage.
The product has a kind of second skin that, from the customer’s point of view, becomes part of the product itself and sometimes even participates in its use (for example, the non-stick grip pf a chocolate bar). Handling, method and opening point are aspects that good packaging must ensure and communicate in a simple and intuitive way.
In terms of usability, if opening is difficult, this can lead to “packaging frustration” in the consumer, a negative experience that affects the perception of the product itself. Easy-open systems, on the other hand, allow clean opening with a quick and easy gesture and make the point and direction of tearing visible graphically and chromatically (e.g. hatching on single portion sachets of sauces and condiments).
In supermarkets, 50% of packaging consists of flexible wrapping. This wrapping can be polymeric film from a fossil source or from a renewable source of biological origin. There are standard films and special films made from biaxally oriented polypropylene (BoPP), cast polypropylene (CPP) and films that are biodegradable through industrial composting (PLA).
The use of alternative raw materials, bio-based from renewable sources and pellets from recycling processes, will become increasingly important in the future. Equally important will be the use of compostable solutions that can offer a different end-of-life scenario.
The world of packaging must be able to do a lot with a little, using minimal amounts of material and reducing costs and environmental impact, while maintaining high quality standards.
Benefits of flowpack
With its lightness, logistical optimisation, maximum communication area and hermetic protection, the flowpack is an excellent example of balance between performance and resource optimisation.
- Lightness: reduces costs and optimises space during transport and storage
- Packaging speed: the packaging process makes this packaging very efficient from a production standpoint
- No waste: a reduced amount of material is used for each packaged product unit
- Sealing: the secure seal prevents contamination and leakage while maintaining quality, hygiene and long-term safety
- Design: well suited to e-commerce
Graphics and information on the pack can already be customised to communicate brand messages (even unique per pack).
Corona treatment improves the adhesion of plastic surfaces, making the film suitable for anchoring inks, adhesives and varnishes. Applied to the plastic surface before printing, corona treatment increases the quality of graphics and the durability of the printed information, guaranteeing better visual and communicative performance and facilitating interaction between the consumer and the product.
- Packaging: refers to communication, information and service aspects of the products
- Pack: refers to the structural and material aspects of the product and its function of protection, preservation and logistical optimisation:
- Primary packages: packages the individual product
- Secondary packaging: groups several product units of the same type already packages in their primary packaging
- Tertiary packaging: facilitates the handling and transportation of goods
Source: Flowpack: the maximum with the minimum - High protection with low impact | Environmental Editions ISBN 978-88-6627-357-8)