Proper packaging determines the shelf life, freshness, and quality of products. Violation of correct wrapping can lead to loss of quality, nutritional properties, and aroma. Thus, the choice of a suitable cover is the primary concern for any business.
Different types of products require particular wrapping due to their physical properties. Below, we’re going to discuss packaging solutions for spices, outline their features, and list the most appropriate materials.
Note that pouches come as the most commonly used type of package for seasonings. Yet, different types of packages are distinguished in the industry. Below, you’ll see the difference between them.
Flat Pouches
It is the most popular type of flexible cover for small portions of products. In most cases, wrappers are multi-layer, which allows for preserving the taste and aroma of seasonings and preventing them from sunlight and other environmental influences. Such solutions are used for packing products of up to 10 g. Here is the best packaging material for spices:
- Transparent PET. The material is well-known due to its high barrier against oxygen, which prevents species from premature spoilage and loss of quality.
- Metalized PP. This material is beneficial due to its high resistance to sunlight and water condensate, which allows for preserving the form and nutritional properties of herbs.
- Transparent Polyethylene. The material provides reliable protection from water vapours. Besides, it also serves as a durable structural and sealing layer.
Note that packaging for herbs is usually produced from composite laminates that are 40-60 microns thick. Thus, you’ll likely find combinations of the listed materials. In most cases, pouches combine all three layers of thin laminates. Since each material provides protection against different factors, their combinations create the best option for packing and storing seasonings.
The most popular composition for pouches looks like transparent PET film + an adhesive layer + metalized PP + another adhesive layer + transparent PE.
Such pouches take up little space on store shelves. They can have euro slots for more compact and comfortable placement.
Doypacks (Stand-up Pouches)
This type of wrapper has gained wide distribution due to its versatility. A wide palette of options allows for customizing covers for any type of product. In most cases, the weight can reach 100-200 g., which means that they are used for bigger spices portions. Here, the most suitable packing material for spices is made from:
- Transparent PET. It protects the content from oxygen, creating a durable resistant layer.
- White Polyethylene. It is non-transparent. Being a sealing and structural layer, the material does not let water vapours enter the wrapper and spoil the product.
Each material has its features and benefits determined by its physical properties. Thus, in combination, they create a highly resistant cover that protects spices from all the negative environmental impacts. That is why composite structures are commonly used for wrapper manufacturing.
Usually, the cover consists of three layers: transparent PET + an adhesive layer + white PE. This combination makes wrappers strong and durable.
These solutions stand on store shelves and provide consumers with more comfortable opportunities for storage. Pouches are equipped with zippers to make wrappers more functional and please customers.
Packaging from Recyclable Monomaterials
Although we found out that composite structures are commonly used and provide durable protection, the modern industry needs to find sustainable solutions to reduce the negative impact on Earth contamination. Thus, mono structures have started to appear. According to technology, only one chemical element is used for wrapper production to increase its recyclability. In this regard, the following spice packaging material is preferable:
- Mono PE. Such wrappers consist of several layers of PE. Note that polyethylene can be both full color and transparent, as well as possess or not possess barrier properties. Such a solution can be a worthy eco-friendly replacement for PE or PET structures. For instance, instead of using a composite like PET + inks + adhesive + PE, it is possible to use MDO PE/ BOPE + inks + adhesive + PE film. The second option will be fully recycled and reused.
- Mono PP. This type of cover implies using several layers of PP. Polypropylene possesses all the required barrier properties and has high stress resistance. Thus, such wrappers are not interior to other flexible pouches. The application of several PP layers allows for replacing PET structures. A PET layer can be replaced by BOPP, making the wrapper eco-friendly and fully recyclable.
The modern packaging industry offers multiple solutions for packing herbs, and spices. There are both composite and mono structures. Yet, sticking to making their products more sustainable, more and more businesses give preference to mono structures due to their sustainability. Moreover, modern consumers are conscious; they tend to choose green products packed in eco-friendly wrappers. Thus, by using mono covers, you’ll also increase consumer loyalty toward your brand.
