04.22.16
Transparent packaging that allows consumers to see the product inside has been a growing trend on store shelves in recent years, but metal-free packaging was often not a practical option for products requiring an outstanding barrier.
“Transparent packaging responds to several consumer packaging trends,” said Marco Hilty, VP of strategy, marketing and R&D at Amcor Flexibles EMEA. “There is a move toward more minimalist packaging designs, while at the same time providing consumers more information to verify that products are fresh and healthy. Metal-free packaging also links to the desire for more sustainable packaging solutions.”
Many products that are highly sensitive to moisture and oxygen, however, remain hidden from view inside opaque materials.
“Traditionally, products needing a very high barrier were packaged in aluminium-based materials, considered the gold standard of high barrier packaging,” said Hilty. “With the launch of AmLite Ultra there is now another option that can meet our customers’ marketing needs and barrier performance needs for sensitive products.”
AmLite Ultra is the latest addition to Amcor’s existing line of AmLite, metal-free packaging. It offers an even higher barrier, using Amcor’s Ultra SiOx coating, with oxygen barrier levels comparable to that of aluminum.
The existing AmLite offering has already helped brand owners jump into the metal-free packaging trend and is on store shelves packaging products like snacks, cereals and beverages. For customers who want metal-free packaging but not transparency, all AmLite versions are also available with a white sealant layer, resulting in brighter printed colors by eliminating the grey background of metal-based materials.
The AmLite line of products also offers a significant environmental benefit by reducing material use. In a lifecycle assessment, AmLite provided a 40% carbon footprint reduction and 21% weight reduction compared to standard Alu-based materials.
“Transparent packaging responds to several consumer packaging trends,” said Marco Hilty, VP of strategy, marketing and R&D at Amcor Flexibles EMEA. “There is a move toward more minimalist packaging designs, while at the same time providing consumers more information to verify that products are fresh and healthy. Metal-free packaging also links to the desire for more sustainable packaging solutions.”
Many products that are highly sensitive to moisture and oxygen, however, remain hidden from view inside opaque materials.
“Traditionally, products needing a very high barrier were packaged in aluminium-based materials, considered the gold standard of high barrier packaging,” said Hilty. “With the launch of AmLite Ultra there is now another option that can meet our customers’ marketing needs and barrier performance needs for sensitive products.”
AmLite Ultra is the latest addition to Amcor’s existing line of AmLite, metal-free packaging. It offers an even higher barrier, using Amcor’s Ultra SiOx coating, with oxygen barrier levels comparable to that of aluminum.
The existing AmLite offering has already helped brand owners jump into the metal-free packaging trend and is on store shelves packaging products like snacks, cereals and beverages. For customers who want metal-free packaging but not transparency, all AmLite versions are also available with a white sealant layer, resulting in brighter printed colors by eliminating the grey background of metal-based materials.
The AmLite line of products also offers a significant environmental benefit by reducing material use. In a lifecycle assessment, AmLite provided a 40% carbon footprint reduction and 21% weight reduction compared to standard Alu-based materials.