IDM | Column

10 · 3 2016 | international-dairy.com

The revival of the flow packIDM visited Bemis in Belgium

Bemis, a leading provider of value-added flexible packaging materials, has just embarked on a big extension of its Be-PackTM Packaging Concept

for packaging cheese and other products. As it happened, IDM was the first trade journal ever to be invited to understand the concept and here’s our report.

“In flexible packaging, competition is fierce, especially because new players who produce in low-cost regions com-pete on price. Bemis, however, excels at material science, application know-how,

and can leverage its capacities as a global brand. “We do not strive to beat competi-tion with price of the materials but with value added solutions that allow our cus-tomers to win”, explains Markku Rommi, Director of Marketing at Bemis.

Intense R&DBased in Neenah, in the U.S. State of Wisconsin, in the heart of the American dairy region, Bemis runs a brand new global R&D Innovation Center (BIC). The state-of-the-art environment helps de-

velop new packaging solutions as well as provide insights to better understand how packaging performs in and out of the store. This makes Bemis one of the most R&D-intense packaging solution providers in the industry. BIC provides answers to some of the toughest ques-tions such as understanding shelf space, evaluating consumer eye tracking and product differentiation in a 100% cus-tomisable retail environment.

Developments which may seem new to cheese packaging have been around

(photo: Bemis)

for a good couple of years for Bemis customers, before these solutions be-came the norm through adoption by the cheese industry as a whole. For instance, the Paper-LikeTM Paper Alternative was introduced by Bemis six years ago in South America, and the PET sealing EZ PeelTM Reseal Convenience Feature has been a standard for many European cus-tomers of Bemis for the past 10 years.

Be-Pack Packaging ConceptWith Be-Pack, Bemis offers a flowpack solution for all kinds of cheese, be it for deli-counter displays or for the self-ser-vice shelves. Luc Vandendriessche, Busi-ness Development Manager of Be-PackTM states that today’s standard for a cheese packaging is easy opening and reclosing.

“Lately, we have noticed a move from rigid packaging towards full flexible packaging solutions. And this move has kept safety and convenience at the same high level. Machine suppliers also have been very creative,” says Luc Van-dendriessche, “in developing concepts based on full flexible film combined with thin gauged plastic trays or coated car-ton inserts as to preserve pack stabil-ity and rigidity. Easy opening today for flowpacks can be achieved with a zipper, a self-adhesive tape, an Applix or a self-adhesive label.”

Currently, the Be-PackTM Packaging Concept has been streamlined and is likely to grow. More information on these what Bemis calls ‘Smart Formats’, can be found by contacting their sales organizations active in 13 countries.

While packaging at the store, be-hind the deli-counter is the simplest thing, deli-counter flow packs such as Be-PackTM usually provide an easy peel and a gas flush which ensures safety and freshness of each cheese type till sell-by date. Furthermore, Bemis fo-cusses R&D on new sealant technology to prolong the sell-by date.

A flowpack concept based packaging solution is the ideal concept offering a large printing surface, the required convenience of easy open & reclose, re-duced waste disposal and eco-tax sav-ings. “Based on the Bemis R&D program and based on my conversations with machine constructors who are focusing on line output, I’m expecting interesting developments over the next few years,” states Luc Vandendriessche.

Sustainability“Sustainability for us means that we rather save material in the first place. Bemis has been a mono-material sealing pioneer for the past 10 years. A fusion seal of mono A-PET means 50 µm less PE film which saves

Luc Vandendriessche, Business Develop-ment Manager Bemis: Lately, we have noticed a move from rigid packaging to-wards full flexible packaging solutions (photo: Bemis)

Bemis in brief

Bemis, est. In 1858, is a global leader for flexible packaging servicing brands worldwide. Head-quartered in Neenah, Wisconsin, Bemis employs approximately 17,000 people worldwide.

In Europe, Bemis is a market leader offering value added flexible packaging especially for meat and cheese applications. Their wide range of innovative solutions help customers – leading processors, brand owners and retailers – grow their business through enhanced consumer experience with products such as OvenRite Dual-Ovenable Films; Paper-LikeTM Paper Alternative as well as optimum industrial efficiency; ClearShieldTM PRO Extreme High AbuseTM Shrink Bags and Opalen FilmsTM.

With global R&D centres, state-of-the-art printing, extrusion, coating & laminating ca-pabilities and local teams, a world class service is ensured. Bemis’ production portfolio for Europe comprises of polymer chemistry, film extrusion, bags, coating, laminating, flexo and rotogravure print.

Packaging solutions are supplied to all major manufacturers and international groups in the cheese industry. Bemis generates sales of $4.3bn and has 60 plants supplying to 121 countries. The company is by far market leader in the US and no. 2 in shrink barrier packaging worldwide.

For more information, visit bemis.com/europe or visit their LinkedIn page at https://www.linkedin.com/company/bemis-europe/

(photo: Bemis)

up to 15 percent material. This is far bet-ter than recycling”, says Mr. Rommi. Even if the PET sealing top films are slightly higher in price, the material saving is so important that it easily compensates the higher price. Skin packaging can save up to 25% of material, adds Mr. Rommi, and the Be-PackTM Packaging Concept saves as much as 40% weight by using a very small tray. The combination of Be-PackTM with Paper-LikeTM is a huge success with Bemis customers who are looking to further dif-ferentiate their products.

3 2016 | international-dairy.com · 11