Materials Engineering: Strange Brew
A flexible high-barrier material manufactured by RPC Cobelplast in Belgium is used in an innovative packaging concept for Café Switch, a new brand of concentrated coffee drinks from Douwe Egberts, a Sara Lee company.
The 450-μmthick
multilayer cast film keeps
the coffee fresh, but its flexibility is
equally important.
The pack contains two compartments,
each containing a ready-blended liquid concentrate.
Consumers squeeze the contents
with their thumbs in a pumping
action. This aerates the liquid until
it froths.
The Sara Lee Innovation &
Quality Center team, worked for
several years with thermoforming
experts at RPC Cobelplast to develop
the packaging.
RPC Cobelplast developed the
translucent polypropylene multilayer
cast film that is compatible
with the aseptic FFS (form-fill seal)
equipment and supported the
project from early development
through production. Specialized
facilities at the RPC Cobelplast
laboratory for material and form
evaluation enabled feedback on the
many trial and test runs conducted
during development.
Make contact
RPC Cobelplast
32 9 340 99 111