japan toppan printing co ltd has developed a new paperbased high barrier eco flat cup which can be used for alcoholic beverages that require high temperature filling. compared to other similar containers, the eco flat cup does not deform when hotfilled due its improved domeshaped lid that can absorb the contraction of air and deformations inside the container caused by changes in the temperature and pressure reduction.the product can then be allowed to cool and be distributed at room temperature, or below, with no adverse effect on the package structure. suitable for high temperature filling, this cup can be used in a wide range of alcoholic drinks requiring high temperature sterilization during filling, such as japanese sake, shochu and wines.in addition, because the consumer can completely remove the lid for drinking, the eco flat cup is also suitable for drinks where aroma is an important part of the consumer experience, such as brandy or whisky.the entire cup is covered with toppan&rsquos clear high barrier gl film and by utilizing form processing technology the company was also able to prevent any unevenness of the seal section, improving sealability.these packaging features help reduce oxygen permeation rate and the resultant deterioration of contents, enabling longer periods of storage and longer shelf life for the packaged products.the eco flat cup not only makes product consumption more convenient its easyopen sealant lid film as well as the reduction of paper fluff on the flange section after the lid is opened also makes for a more enjoyable drinking experience.kizakura co ltd is the first company to use the eco flat cup for two of its japanese sake products &ndash &ldquokizakura karakuchi ikkon&rdquo and &ldquokizakura junmai karakuchi ikkon&rdquo &ndash launched in september 2012. toppan printing is targeting annual sales of us38.2 million ¥3 billion for this product and related orders by 2015.contributed by stuart hoggard 
