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 pouchLink: 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 Matechttp://www.dnp.co.jp/works/detail/__icsFiles/afieldfile/2015/12/02/Biomatech151116.pdfThe new technology allows to blend material of vegetable source with PET, PE and PLA polymer inorder 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.htmlFeatures:- 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 packagingNishibe 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