FDBusiness.com

Mondi, the international packaging and paper group, has enhanced its European consumer goods packaging capabilities through upgrades to its innovative plant in Solec, Poland. A capital investment in machinery has now enabled the company to produce spouted flexible pouches from this plant for the European market, at a time when flexible packaging is seeing a marked increase in demand in the region.

The market for stand-up pouches is growing considerably around the world due to the many end-user benefits they provide when compared to rigid containers – with the global market for spouted pouches set to hit some 38 million units by 2020. Their growing popularity on the shelves is a result of their convenience in use, enhanced product protection and accurate application. For example, the re-closable packaging, combined with the barrier properties of the films used, significantly extends the shelf-life of products and limits the risk of contamination from external factors. The precise application minimises product waste and simplifies portion control. From a manufacturer’s perspective, switching to spouted pouches has many advantages, including savings in production and transportation due to the lightweight characteristics of flexibles. SUP’s also enhance shelf-appeal thanks to their stand-up orientation, customisable formats and finishing options.

Ulf Wienböker, COO Mondi Consumer Goods Packaging, said: “Mondi is building on its existing strength in pre-made stand up pouches, by investing further in production while sharing technology and know-how among its production sites in Europe, North America and Asia. We are also targeting the demand for greater diversity of stand-up pouches by offering different options for a variety of consumer industries and needs – spouted pouches being one of them. Spouted pouches are already produced in our facilities in Seoul, South Korea and Jackson, USA, and a move into Europe was the obvious next step for us. Fruit juices and purées, as well as fitness drinks, alcoholic beverages and condiments such as mayonnaise, are often packaged in flexibles – particularly in Eastern Europe – and the market continues to grow in line with global expectations. We are excited to have expanded our spouted flexible pouch operations into Poland, which provides the perfect centralised location to best meet the needs of our clients.”

In addition to providing pouches, Mondi works in partnership with specialist filling equipment suppliers to make sure products can be produced to the highest standards possible.

At the Taropak 2016 show in Poznan, Poland, visitors to Mondi in Hall 3A (Stand 57) will be able to see a live demonstration of a spouted filling machine in action. Small pouches will be filled with locally produced apple juice – which can then be taken away and enjoyed. Mondi experts will also be present, in order to provide professional advice and guidance based on individual operational requirements.