Amcor has introduced its flexible Liquiflex AmPrima pouches in Europe for bulk foodservice products, claiming a remarkable reduction in carbon footprint of up to 79% and an 84% decrease in water consumption. Designed for efficiency in storage and transportation, Amcor states that these pouches occupy significantly less storage space before filling compared to traditional canned packaging, and they pack more compactly than cans when filled. These pouches can accommodate bulk items such as dressings, sauces, frozen vegetables, and proteins.

Source: PackagingEurope

When compared to standard heavier packaging, Amcor's new pouches reportedly achieve a carbon footprint reduction of up to 79%, a 75% decrease in non-renewable energy usage, and an 84% reduction in water consumption, as determined by Amcor's ASSET life cycle assessment methodology, certified by The Carbon Trust.

Additionally, Amcor notes that the Liquiflex AmPrima pouches can include food-contact compatible PCR content upon request, and they can be equipped with a pump or spout dispenser to serve as functional refill packs.

Engineered to comply with the European Union’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), the lightweight design and ‘recycle-readiness’ of Liquiflex AmPrima could potentially yield savings on EPR fees and plastic taxes compared to heavier containers. This estimation is based on modulated EPR for major EU countries such as France, Germany, and Spain, calculated using the Recyda platform. The pouches are designed to be recyclable in regions where polyethylene (PE) recycling streams are established.

Recently, the company unveiled its paper-based stand-up pouch, designed as a ‘recycle-ready’ refill pack for dry beverage products like instant coffee. This pouch claims a 73% reduction in carbon footprint and meets consumer demands for recyclable refills. It has been certified as kerbside recyclable in several European countries by Cepi and Aticelca due to its 85% fiber content.

In January, Korozo Group collaborated with Zertus UK & Ireland to develop recyclable stand-up pouches for Baileys’ new Chocolate Nut Mix snack range, which will be introduced to retail shelves. Korozo’s KoroRCY film was laminated to a PE layer with an EVOH component to achieve the necessary barrier properties without compromising the pouch’s recyclability.