In a world where snack enthusiasts often face the dilemma of breaking their snack pouches while trying to access their favorite treats, a team at packaging machine producer Rovema posed a crucial question: Could they redesign pouches to be both convenient and environmentally friendly, all while safeguarding the delicious contents within?
This challenge led to a collaboration with Walki, a renowned packaging solutions company. Walki was the natural choice for this innovative endeavor, as their expertise and knowledge in various materials made them the ideal partner.
The focus of this project was sustainability and resource efficiency, leading to the creation of a monomaterial pouch. The team engineered narrow yet sturdy seams that perfectly retained the pouch's shape. With the addition of an easy-opening perforation by Walki, the pouch was made effortlessly accessible to consumers. Nadja Richter, Head of Communications and Marketing at Rovema, explained that the chosen material, mono PE, was perfect for snack products like chocolate-coated nuts or jelly gummies due to its excellent barrier properties. Moreover, because PE is a monomaterial, the pouch could be easily recycled in the plastics stream.
The unique feature of this pouch was its controlled tearing mechanism facilitated by laser preformation in the center of the side gusset fold. This allowed for easy, precise opening of the pouch while maintaining its structural integrity, keeping the snacks inside fresh. Andreas Rothschink, Head of Product Development and Technical Service, Consumer Packaging at Walki Group, elaborated on the pouch's innovative design, emphasizing that it opened from the center and tore in both directions until it reached the cross seams, providing stability. The pouch's shape remained intact, and its larger opening made it a breeze to access the snacks inside.
What's particularly impressive about this project is the swift timeline, taking only about four months from conception to the final product. Nadja Richter credits Rovema's state-of-the-art machines, built to be flexible and handle innovative materials. This adaptability allowed for individual settings for sealing force, time, and temperature, enabling Rovema machines to process a wide range of demanding packaging materials.
Equally vital was finding the right partners for this innovative journey. Walki's team spent time at Rovema's headquarters in Fernwald, Germany, solidifying a successful collaboration. Richter noted that both companies were on the same wavelength, making the process seamless.
Andreas Rothschink from Walki echoed this sentiment, praising Rovema as an excellent partner for innovative projects, highlighting the smooth collaboration throughout.
The easy-open pouch has been met with an enthusiastic reception, reflecting a growing demand for convenient, monomaterial packaging options. Andreas Rothschink underlined the value of Walki's strong customer relationships, which allowed them to anticipate and meet consumer demands effectively.
In the world of snack packaging innovation, Rovema and Walki's collaboration stands as a testament to what can be achieved when convenience and sustainability are harmoniously blended.
