IML helps Emmi deliver detailed information to an international market via yogurt pots

Sonoco said Emmi uses IML-decorated containers to pack around 50 different yogurt varieties and flavors. This packaging is produced using thin-walled injection techniques, and replaces the previous deep-drawn cups with self-adhesive labels.

Emmi Group is the largest milk processor in Switzerland and is one of Europe’s premium dairies. In its home market, the company focuses on the development, production and marketing of a full range of dairy and fresh products as well as the production, ageing and trade of primarily Swiss cheeses. Outside Switzerland, it concentrates on brand concepts and specialities in European and North American markets, and increasingly on emerging markets outside of Europe. Emmi exports its products from Switzerland into more than 60 countries.

Every year, Sonoco’s packaging plant located in Zwenkau, Germany delivers several million cups for Emmi yogurt to Ostermundigen, Switzerland. Emmi fills about 50 varieties of yogurt into the 100g polypropylene cups. Emmi exports 90 percent of these cups to other countries and the trend is increasing, especially in Asia and the Middle East where the demand for Swiss yogurt is said to be on the rise. In these markets, detailed information on the products is particularly important. IML increases the decoration area by 25 percent, Sonoco said, providing ample space for product information. Labels can be printed using either offset or gravure, and are available with a matte or gloss surface.

Hygiene is also a major issue, and the thin-walled injection process used by Sonoco ensures a high standard of hygiene. Prior to injection, the granular base material is melted at approximately 200 degrees C. The entire production at the Sonoco site near Leipzig is also certified according to the BRC-IoP standard for food packaging and is subject to strict quality management. Further, IML provides additional product protection against UV rays and light

Andreas Rothschink, sales director for plastic packaging at Sonoco, said: ‘Our comprehensive control plan convinced Emmi to contract Sonoco. We utilize multi-level camera inspection technology to match the labels on the bottom with the ones on the banderole and to control positioning accuracy, spiral misalignment and if the sealing edge is fully injected.’