From hard packaging to soft packaging in Japan
Martini Tech (2017)
Introduction:
One of the recent trends in the packaging industry has been the shift from hard to soft packaging, in
the cosmetic, personal care, food & beverage and even in the alcohol industries
New technologies involved are:
1) Toppan Printing: air hold pouch
Link: http://www.toppan.co.jp/news/2013/01/newsrelease1461.html (in Japanese)
Self-standing pouch with the pouch standing up thanks to internal air pressure.
A special kind of valve is used to keep the air inside and therefore allowing the pouch to stand up
even after the pouch has been opened.
The pouch can therefore be properly aligned on shelves and boxes.
Photo 1. Toppan air pouch
2) DNP – Bio Matec
http://www.dnp.co.jp/works/detail/__icsFiles/afieldfile/2015/12/02/Biomatech151116.pdf
The new technology allows to blend material of vegetable source with PET, PE and PLA polymer in
order to reduce the environmental impact
The amount of polymer saved by using this technology is relevant and corresponds to around 10 to
11% of the total greenhouse gas emissions coming from the packaging process
3) Kyodo Printing – Pack Expert/Handy Cube
http://www.kyodoprinting.co.jp/release/2016/20160902-1930.html
Features:
- bag easy to carry and pour with only two fingers
- contents easily put inside and taken out from the pouch
- the cubic shape allows to store and ship the package easily
- fold it up and save space
- excellent disposability
- high safety plastic valve
Photo 2. Pac Expert packaging
4) Big bag packaging
Nishibe machinery and others provides some new machinery for large size packaging
Link: http://www.nishibe.co.jp/japanese/products/sbm600spg.html#characteristic
Examples of big bag packaging
Photo 3. Example of big bags for cosmetics (1)
Photo 4. Example of big bags for cosmetics (2)
Photo 5. Example of big bags for cosmetics (3)
Photo 6. Example of big bags for sake