Aran Group’s MonoFlex Bag-in-Box

Aran Group’s MonoFlex Bag-in-Box Wins 2026 WorldStar Packaging Award

Mono-material PE bag-in-box achieves high oxygen barrier performance with Design for Recycling compliance

Aran Group’s MonoFlex bag-in-box has been awarded a 2026 WorldStar Award by the World Packaging Organisation (WPO), recognizing the solution’s approach to combining high-barrier protection with mono-material recyclability in liquid food packaging.

MonoFlex is a bag-in-box solution for liquid food products in formats ranging from 3 to 20 liters. The bag is constructed from over 95% polyethylene (PE) by weight, with a thin EVOH barrier layer that remains well below the 5% threshold referenced in current Design for Recycling guidelines for PE stream compatibility. Unlike conventional high-barrier bags that rely on metallization or complex multi-material laminations, MonoFlex delivers equivalent oxygen barrier performance within a structure designed for recovery in existing PE recycling infrastructure.

Relevance to Tomato Processing

For tomato processors handling paste, purée, sauces, and diced products, oxygen barrier performance directly affects color stability, flavor retention, and shelf life — factors that determine product value from filling line to end use. MonoFlex’s integrated fitment spout controls oxygen ingress during storage and dispensing, reducing the oxidation risk that drives quality loss and product waste in these categories. The bag’s mechanical strength and puncture resistance support product integrity through bulk logistics and extended warehousing.

While MonoFlex is currently available in 3 to 20 liter formats, Aran Group is actively developing the technology for larger-volume industrial packaging, with initial testing underway on bulk formats used across the tomato and liquid food industries.

Design and Sustainability

The flexible bag-in-box format reduces packaging weight and shipping volume compared to rigid containers, with corresponding reductions in transport-related emissions and storage footprint. MonoFlex’s mono-PE construction aligns with the objectives of the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), supporting source reduction and end-of-life material recovery.

The WorldStar Award, administered by the WPO, evaluates packaging innovations across criteria including sustainability, product protection, and design efficiency. MonoFlex was selected from among national award winners worldwide.

Source: Aran Group