ZIP-PAK - When resealable flexible packaging closures first appeared on the market, most noticeably in the 1960s with the introduction of the Ziploc bag, the key selling points were convenience and ease of access. With environmental issues now a major consideration in the consumer purchase decision, particularly in US and Europe, today’s resealable packaging market must look at remaining relevant and meeting new emerging requirements and concerns.

“The resealable package met the main need of the markets at the time,” said Elizabeth Sheaffer, Marketing Manager of Zip-Pak, the US-headquartered resealable packaging company that developed the technology and

Elizabeth Sheaffer, Marketing Manager, Zip-Pak

In a recent interview with PackWebasia.com, Zip-Pak explained how it had commissioned an independent research firm, Franklin Associates, to examine the relationship between flexible packaging and sustainability.

The study, which looked at eight packaging systems consisting of six deli meat packages and two breakfast cereal packaged, examined both flexible packaging formats with resealable closures and rigid packaging formats. It found that products packaged in flexible pouches with resealable closures had a superior product-to-package ratio, lower energy consumption, solid waste generation and greenhouse gas emissions than the rigid systems studied. Transportation energy requirements for the flexible systems were also lower than that of reusable rigid containers.

“The study concluded that resealable flexible packaging is a more sustainable option in comparison to rigid packaging,” said Sheaffer. “This prompted Zip-Pak to aggressively pursue future developments towards reducing the environmental footprint of packaging, including packaging that incorporated next generation materials, films and closures.”

Zip-Pak gave PackWebasia.com an example of the sustainability of using resealable closures with one recent zipper application for food packaging. This involved the use of the Zip-Pak Press-to-Close resealable closure in a semi-flexible container with a flexible lid for deli meat and sausages. The zipper runs along the side of the package, and brings added convenience to consumers by allowing them to easily preserve unused portions without transferring contents into a separate container.

“As sustainability is becoming a more significant concern, we are pleased to provide consumers with the confidence that by resealing the original package, our products will remain fresher throughout the last serving, helping to reduce food waste,” commented Georg Fredrik Mattingsdal, Head of Technical Development at SPIS Grilstad, the Norwegian meat manufacturer which launched that new packaging format,

Besides product protection and preservation, Sheaffer noted that packaging now also has to take in greater consideration its function of promoting the product brand, which is becoming increasingly important to the brand owner when he chooses a package for his product. Resealable packaging, she said, helps to raise brand awareness and preference as the original package is also used as a storage container, exposing consumers to brand images and messages throughout the life of the product.