Following five years of development, Sota Packaging is set to launch a new category of rigid paperboard packaging at the AIP National Conference in Melbourne.
Manufactured in Perth, its paperboard composite packs are available in three shapes and up to 50 different sizes.
Managing director David Kilpatrick told PKN it was satisfying to see the project come to fruition.
“Our vision was always to combine the linear forming process with paper composite closures to provide the world's best rigid paper packaging, and make it suitable for the widest range of applications,” he said.
“We combine up to six different flexible materials, including a printed label, which are incorporated into the pack body.
“This is done in a continuous process which simultaneously forms the shape and creates the pack body by using a photo-electric cell to control the cutting position.
“The pack body is then conveyed to the bottom closing machine wand before moving to the robotic palletising area.
“It takes about seven minutes to make a complete pack from start to finish, but the line operates at 120 packs per minute.
“One of the key things for a company like ours is that the process is highly automated, requiring just three technicians and one operator.”
The packs are lightweight, and fully recyclable in the paper stream.
Print capability extends to 100 per cent of the pack surface area and Sota can offer up to eight colours in flexo, offset or gravure.
Kilpatrick said Sota already had two of its existing customers and a couple of large multinationals engaged in the concept.
“However, we are still at a commercially confidential stage with those projects,” he said.
“Interestingly, we are also engaged in the early stages of three overseas projects which will utilise the technology.”
The raw materials are sourced from a number of key suppliers in Europe.
Applications include beverage powders, cooking and baking ingredients, cereals, infant formula, savoury snacks, fresh dairy (spreads, soft cheeses, yoghurt and desserts), ice cream, ready meals and meal kits as well as beverages such as flavoured milk, orange juice and water.
The packs can be hot-filled if required.
