In the packaging world as in other sectors – less is more. Flexible packaging reduces the amount of raw material needed and decreases costs. Can the principle also be applied within the flexible packaging world? Polysack’s mono material stand up pouch demonstrates that it definitely can! A new solution that is both recyclable and sustainable

Product packaging is an integral part of product branding. One of the more attention- grabbing options that attractively stands out on the shelf is the flexible packaging stand up pouch.

At Polysack we developed quite a few solutions for this packaging format, providing added value to our customers, and ultimately to the end users. So what are the principles and advantages of this type of packaging?

What is stand up pouch packaging?

This packaging format is made of one or more films that are folded and soldered to obtain flexible packaging which can stand upright on the shelf. This feature is usually only available in rigid packaging and not in flexible packaging

This packaging can have various enhanced features including zippers, sliders, hanging holes, and more. It is commonly used to package liquids, detergents, dry food, beverages and pet food, as well as for home & personal care products.

Stand up pouch packaging is gaining momentum

Increasingly more industrial manufacturers are switching to stand up packaging bags for several reasons. First, the mere change from rigid to flexible packaging reduces its weight, which is both economically and environmentally advantageous. Additionally, rigid packaging uses more plastic material and consumes limited fossil resources. They are heavier and less compact for logistic transportation. This is why switching to stand up flexible packaging has sustainability and environmental advantages.

For these reasons many find it profitable to market certain products in smaller flexible packaging, among other things for PR purposes (promo packaging). Furthermore, it is very easy to match the packaging to the packaged product, by changing the film thickness and the additives it contains, as well as the type and number of film layers, with each layer providing a property or a combination of desired properties. However, it is important to understand that in many cases use of multilayer film for custom packaging stand up pouches make them unsuitable for recycling. At the end of their life cycle they are therefore intended for energy recovery or landfill.

Why is multilayer film non-recyclable?

The increased popularity of flexible packaging, particularly stand up pouches for food packaging, presents a new problem: on the one hand the reduced packaging weight is a favorable step in the direction of an industry that is more environmentally sustainable. On the other hand, a flexible packaging pouch made of multilayer film, renders it unsuitable for the separation processes which are a major component of the recycling processes. It is important to note that the alternative – rigid packaging such as a bottle or a container, is made of one raw material and is recyclable.

A stand up pouch made of multilayer film is non-recyclable. What’s more, if this film accidentally enters a recycling stream, it will bring foreign material into the material being recycled and impair the quality of the final recycled material

Polysack’s sustainable solution – Mono Material Stand Up Pouch Packaging

At Polysack we offer a solution for a flexible packaging stand up pouch that provides the advantages of flexible packaging while solving the challenge of its recycling.

The flexible film we manufacture is made of the most common polymer in the packaging world – polyethylene (PE). Standard PE film is not a suitable alternative for multilayer packaging which offers a unique combination of properties owing to the different layers from which it is comprised. At Polysack we have the know-how needed to use the suitable PE and to make the appropriate process modifications while processing the material, all in order to obtain the plastic film with the unique desired properties compared to regular PE film. At the end of the process the resulting film has the required stiffness, sheen, transparency and heat resistance for the packaging of products in the food and other industries.

The flexible packaging stand up pouch helps extend the lifetime of food products and protects against the permeation of gases, light and contaminants, while using less raw material in the packaging compared to rigid packaging. Moreover, pouches from flexible film help brand the packaged product, and their manufacturing from mono material enables their easy recycling. Special adjustments are not required in order to use this film in an existing packaging production line which previously used standard multilayer film that is non-recyclable.

Use of mono material film in Stand Up Pouch Packaging appears to be inevitable, particularly in light of growing awareness to the increasing waste problem. You can help drive the circular economy by switching to Mono Material Stand Up Pouch Packaging!