Beer brand Carlsberg is launching a world premiere for can multipacks under the name Snap Pack, which combines beverage cans with adhesive dots, instead of shrink-wrapping, hi-cone and other secondary packaging solutions, in a move to reduce packaging waste.
Produced by KHS subsidiary NMP Systems the Snap Pack has been created as a result of customer demand for sustainable packaging, and forms part of Carlsberg's 'Together towards ZERO' sustainability programme.
The brewery group expects that by dispensing with shrink-wrapping in its can packs, up to 76 per cent of plastic can be saved – in absolute figures this amounts to around 1,000 tons per year for Carlsberg when fully rolled out.
Cees't Hart, CEO of the Carlsberg Group said, “Over the past three years, we have embarked on a research and development journey to bring the Snap Pack onto the market. This will enable us to significantly reduce the amount of plastic waste generated worldwide. Last but not least, this is advancement for a better future.”
In addition to the reduction in plastics Carlsberg was also impressed by the packaging solution from NMP Systems in terms of consumer convenience. The company says it scores, for example, with the possibility of precisely orientated cans, which it says means consumers can easily identify the product. This feature offers additional advantages at the point of sales.
“Orientating the layout of each single can creates a billboard effect. This effect brings a larger visual communication area for the brand displayed on the shelf,” explains Christoph Georg von Aichinger, senior sales director at NMP Systems.
The project included an intensive R&D phase, according to NMP Systems. A particular challenge was the composition of the adhesive which bonds the filled cans with only a few adhesive dots to create a stable pack. The many hours of development have ensured that the individual cans can easily be separated with a single movement.
“We have succeeded in developing an adhesive that works without damaging the printing ink and lacquer on the can,” says von Aichinger. In the coming months Carlsberg and NMP Systems will follow the initial market launch with great interest, to see how consumers and customers accept the innovation.
Carlsberg will roll out the innovation for cans as four and six packs including the carrying handle and will to begin with be selling it in the UK and Norway with Denmark, Carlsberg's home country, following in early 2019.
You can see a demonstration of how the solution works here
