Mespack and Amcor collaborate on ‘recyclable’ stand-up pouch for home care products

Mespack and Amcor have developed a 'recyclable' stand-up pouch designed for home care products such as soaps, detergents and laundry detergents, designed to overcome the challenges of scaling up larger flexible packaging formats using recyclable materials.

The companies say that until now, pouches using 'more sustainable materials' have been limited to a maximum size of 1 to 1.5 litres, and that scaling up to 2 litres is important for consumers, but also presents new challenges. Durability is a key concern for the home care industry, particularly in ensuring drop and leak resistance.

Amcor and Mespack's R&D teams worked together to adjust machine parameters and film structure to produce the new 2L pouch, which is said to meet performance expectations in terms of sustainability, durability and functionality.

The trials were conducted on Mespack's H570 machine, which apparently features a newly developed metal alloy and precise temperature control, with the exact temperatures required to seal the recyclable material. Mespack says the H570 also produces leak-proof packaging in a number of ways, including adjustments to achieve a 'perfect seal' on all jaws and nozzle preheating technology to ensure the quality and integrity of the nozzle seal.

Amcor says the new pouches are made using its AmPrima 'recyclable' solution, designed to provide a 'more sustainable' packaging option that delivers quality, durability, performance and speed to the brand's fillers. AmPrima is also said to meet the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) Design for Recycling requirements and can optionally include post-consumer recycled (PCR) content.

Geoffrey Gendebien, Amcor market manager for home and personal care, adds: "Flexible spout pouches use less plastic than containers and bottles. They also enable consumers to (repeatedly) refill bottles they already have, lowering the packaging carbon footprint. Refill pouches can also appeal to cost-conscious consumers looking to offset inflation."

The new 2L stand-up pouches will be available from November 2024.

In June, Mespack and Fuji Seal announced their intention to replace plastic bottles, reduce plastic consumption and improve efficiency by signing a collaboration agreement to develop an all-inclusive sales contract for filling pre-made spouted bags. The two companies intend to commercialize bags, equipment and equipment maintenance to reduce synchronization complexity.

Last month, Amcor launched the Clear-Tite 40 shrink bag solution for fresh and processed meats, which is said to be 19% lighter than standard 50μ shrink bags. The solution is said to have high shrink performance and is printable, designed to help brands attract consumers' attention through "wrinkle-free" packaging.