Why Flexible Packaging

Consumer Preference, Savings Throughout the Supply Chain

From retail to foodservice applications, customers are looking to Curwood as a strategic source to replace traditional rigid materials. Here are just a few reasons why:

Thinking About Converting?

Curwood’s experienced transition teams are available to help explore cost implications, barrier concerns and other considerations.

Superb Barrier Properties
Technologically innovative coextruded and laminated film structures provide superior barrier properties to protect products, enhance shelf life and safeguard color and flavor.
Flexible packages possess an outstanding ability to control transmission of light, oxygen, moisture, flavor, outgassing, microbes and other elements. Packaging materials can be tailored to meet the unique chemical and physical requirements of a wide variety of contents, and are highly resistant to scuffing, cracking and to oils and chemicals.
Advances in modified atmosphere packaging make flexible packaging especially ideal for high-barrier applications including lunch kits, pre-cut and prepared foods.
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Environmentally Sensitive
Widely preferred in Europe for its “green” environmental benefits, flexible packaging uses 75% less energy to make than cans. Ultra-thin and lightweight flexible packaging uses less material than traditional rigid containers (for source reduction), and is easily compressed to take up less space for both in-home disposal and in the landfill.
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Significant Transportation Savings
Flexible packaging’s reduced weight and bulk requires less space and energy to ship than rigid containers. In fact, it can offer freight savings up to 85% and storage space savings of more than 90%.
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Improved Safety
Non-rigid plastic packaging offers a safer medium than traditional materials such as jagged edge cans or breakable glass. New easy-open features eliminate the need to use scissors to open even the most rugged flexible material. And tamper-evident features provide sealed safety at a glance.
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Fast, Economical Packaging Changes
Changes in graphics and package size are fast and cost-effective to make in flexible packaging, especially when using flexographic printing. In many cases, new sizes and features can be incorporated with only minor modifications to in-plant equipment.
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Branding and Graphics Shelf Presence
Flexible packaging’s expanding graphic capabilities deliver strong shelf or case impact, from upscale matte films to glossy reverse-printed graphics. Colorful graphics, stand-up pouches and new promotional techniques create strong, attention-getting brand billboards.
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Protection Throughout Distribution
Strong, yet lightweight, flexible packaging survives supply chain abuse, from processing facilities to distribution centers to retail. Products are available with excellent barrier and structural strength, superb scuff resistance and burst strength. The packages resist flex cracks and maintain total seal integrity to eliminate leaks and keep products fresh.
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Clear Product View
Flexible packaging offers a dramatic clear view of the product, especially with crystal-clear structures such as ICE® films. Value-added features such as anti-fog and anti-grease technology ensure the best possible view even with hard-to-hold products. Clear films are now available for retort packaging, once only offered in opaque structures.
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Resealability
Since many consumers prefer to store products in their original package, the convenience of reseal is an important consideration. With the addition of zippers, sliders and resealable lidstock, products can be stored and reused without compromising freshness.
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Interactive and Promotion-Friendly
As brands compete for consumer attention, interactive packaging and promotions are becoming an important consideration. Flexible packaging offers a wide range of special effects, from holograms to chromatic technology. In addition, it is ideal for teaming with cost-effective promotional add-on materials such as pull-off labels and coupons.
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Portability for On-the-Go Lifestyles
Advances in flexible packaging make it a highly portable format for today’s on-the-go lifestyles. Options include cost-effective single-serving packages of snack items such as string cheese, yogurt and beverages; modified atmosphere packaging for lunch and snack kits; microwavable trays and lids; individual beverage pouches and more.
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