Amcor simplifies range of packaging products

Amcor Flexibles’ product portfolio includes several new material platforms that cover a broad range of packaging applications. The company said each of these material platforms offers targeted barrier properties, simplified product specification and management processes, improved performance on customers’ packing/filling lines and shorter lead times.

These include: AmPET, a metallized laminate with medium barrier; AmLock, a foil laminate for products requiring high barrier properties; N-Gage, a high-barrier lidding film for fresh foods and medical products that seals directly to APET trays so eliminating an adhesive layer; and AmFlow, an optimized flow wrap for dried products with low barrier requirements.

Another new product is VisualCan, a shrink wrap film for aluminum cans with an easy twist off top. VisualCan protects the can’s top during distribution, and the customizable printed wrap film and the twist off top help brand owners to run promotions. 

Amcor Flexibles believes that its customers will see added marketing benefits through simplifying their packaging material to one of these platforms. The new materials will appear the same (or better) as standard packaging products to consumers, but the time and cost saving through efficiency gains will allow brand owners to focus more on interesting packaging features. Easy-open and reclose features, various pack shapes, and the ability to change graphics more often thanks to shorter packaging lead times will keep products fresh, convenient, and appealing for consumers, it said.

Dr Marco Hilty, vice-president of marketing and R&D at Amcor Flexibles Europe & Americas, said: ‘We know our packaging customers today have an appetite for product simplification. The packaging technology we are bringing to market now is not simple to make, but it does simplify the packaging supply chain for our customers.

‘Since the acquisition of Alcan, Amcor Flexibles has been on a simplification journey. We have grown through acquisitions, and to remain competitive, we needed to standardize and streamline our own supply chain and production processes. It is not an easy journey, but we’ve seen significant benefits in the form of better product quality control, streamlined processes, and cost savings. We know many of our customers are also on a simplification journey, and we can offer them a portfolio of products that supports those goals.’

Hilty added: ‘Amcor Flexibles sees the combination of simplification and innovation as a way to meet our customers’ needs. It’s helping our customers to simplify on the production side, and provide consumers with innovative packaging.

‘Customers are seeing the value in our platform approach. For example, we helped a customer transition their confectionary business from over 90 packaging material specifications to just four with AmFlow. This then allowed the customer to standardize aspects of their own production process and realize cost savings. That is much easier when you have only four materials to set up on your machines around the world, instead of 90.’