Stand Up Pouch with Zipper

A: They are a lightweight and resource-efficient packaging format. They use less material than many alternatives, reduce transportation weight and take up minimum space in shipping due to their excellent product/packaging ratio. All of that reduces emissions across the supply chain which is supported by mutiple life cycle analysis studies. Even without being recyclable, a pouch still performs better than a glass jar or aluminium can on most environmental metrics.

A: Most pouches are sealed with heat. The inner layer (usually polyethylene) softens under pressure, bonding to itself and forming a tight seal. You can use a simple impulse sealer for short runs or a band sealer for higher volumes. We also over peel and seal options for specific applications.
The material structure of your pouch can sometimes requires narrower sealing windows which mean you'll want to refine the time and temperature carefully. If your seals fail, it's usually due to poor heat contact, dust or moisture in the sealing area or the wrong pressure settings. If you have any questions surrounding this please speak to one of our packaging specialists.

A: Most brands choose between digital and gravure printing methods. Digital printing is fast, flexible and requires no plates or set up costs, it's great for multiple designs, smaller print runs or frequent artwork changes. Gravure is better for large volumes where consistency and colour control such as using complex gradients matter more, and it is very cost effective on bulk quantities. Generally speaking it's really difficult to tell the difference between the two unless you put them side by side, however we will always discuss the best option for your packaging project.

A: The overall environmental effect of flexible packaging is misunderstood. With limited national infrastructure for the collection of waste, it is increasingly important that recycling technology continues to develop. Approximately 80% of local authorities accept clean PE films for recycling, although no local authorities offering collection of PP films. The recycling infrastructure will not change overnight, and it has been estimated that £100 million industry wide recycling investment is required.

A: Before becoming waste, analysis shows the carbon footprint of a pouch to be considerably lower than that of a plastic bottle. Pouches are a lightweight solution which allow material and cost savings. Pouches occupy less space during transportation in comparison to glass or aluminium or plastic containers, resulting in a smaller environmental footprint.

A: Stand up pouches help prevent waste which is the starting point of circular economy thinking. Changes to the design should not jeopardise the primary function of packaging, which is to protect the product it contains and avoid waste. It is a misconception that flexible packaging has unnecessary adverse environmental consequences; food waste is even more damaging. For food products, flexible packaging plays a prominent role in preserving freshness, quality and flavour.