Innovations:: Packaging

The Challenge
There is an increasing need among on-the-go consumers for “single service” beverage packages that fit conveniently in car drink holders and are easy for kids to use.

The Evergreen Packaging Innovation
To meet this growing need, Evergreen Packaging developed Micro-Pak, a paper carton for beverages. Micro-Pak has a unique size and shape making it portable, easy to handle, convenient for on-the-go snacking and a perfect fit for car drink holders. It offers longer shelf life for high quality refrigerated products and makes life easier for families on the go. Tru Taste Gold™, Evergreen Packaging’s patented Barrier-Pak™ board, enables Micro-Pak to retain the true taste of the beverage and a higher level of vitamin C. It enhances the shelf life of the product and provides superior package integrity. The printability of the package drives brand recognition and shelf appeal, obvious key requirements in today’s marketplace.

Recent market research revealed that Micro-Pak's not-so-micro benefits drive its success in the marketplace. Children like it because they can open it without any help from mom or dad, since it doesn’t spill and using a straw is fun with its easy to open foil patch. Parents reported that Micro-Pak is easy for their children to drink from, stores well in the refrigerator and is the perfect size for lunch boxes. Micro-Pak is being used in single serve and multi-packs under a number of brand names.

Challenge- Packaging that betters protects freshness and qualty
With worldwide consumption of beverages, especially juices, on the rise, producers have to contend with longer, less advanced distribution channels that have sporadic refrigeration, sometimes called “broken cold-chain” distribution. As a result, they need packaging that better maintains the taste and freshness of their products.

The Evergreen Packaging Innovation

To maintain the quality of juice over extended periods of time and provide superior protection during distribution, even when refrigerated distribution is inconsistent, Evergreen Packaging’s beverage packaging scientists developed Tru Taste™ Maxx, a carton that features advanced barrier properties. Unique coatings on the board reduce oxygen loss, which means juice has fresher taste, better color and increased shelf life. A special side seam provides better protection against leakage. The high strength of the patent-pending barrier paperboard allows the container to resist rough handling during distribution. And for either hot-fill or “broken cold chain” applications, Tru Taste™ Maxx can eliminate the need for foil-lined cartons, providing an economic and environmentally friendly alternative.

The Challenge – How to Manufacture limited quantities efficiently
Producers of seasonal beverage products (such as holiday drinks), as well as manufacturers developing line extensions or new product launches need special ordering and inventory flexibility for their short-run requirements.

The Innovation
To help manufacturers more economically produce short-run packages and reduce inventory requirements, Evergreen Packaging made a major investment in High Definition Flexo printing technology to better serve our beverage customers. High definition Flexo allows shorter print runs, complete digital workflow and accurate print registration. Five color print and varnish capability assure eye-catching, high quality graphics, to provide cartons with high brand impact capabilities.