Sonoco expands ClearGuard packaging

04/09/2017

François-Xavier Branthôme

USA,

North America

…for liquid and viscous product pouches

Sonoco has expanded its ClearGuard portfolio of flexible packaging to include pouches for liquid or more viscous products.
The expanded product line, which can handle hot fill and retort cooking processes, was presented at the Global Pouch Forum in Miami from 14-16 June.

Hot fill or retort processing
"With growing demand from consumers for transparency, not just with ingredients and labelling, but with a desire to see what they are buying, CiearGuard offers brands a way to satisfy their customers, without sacrificing quality,” said Pete Gioldasis, marketing director at Sonoco. "We're able to deliver both presentation and protection. Our CiearGuard portfolio has already achieved success with applications like trail mix, jerky and snack bars. […] With this latest technical development, we're now able to expand the portfolio to include structures capable of withstanding more demanding applications, like fitmented pouches that perform in hot fill or retort processing conditions.”
ClearGuard packaging provides an alternative to aluminium foil or metalized films due to its low oxygen and water vapor transmission rates to protect food and preserve its shelf life. The ClearGuard liquid pouch can meet or exceed barrier and shelf-life requirements for a variety of products and can stand up to the demands of the retort process, which involves high pressure and high temperatures.

Clear retortable plastic can debuts
Last year, Sonoco had already marked the US food packaging industry by launching the TruVue can, a compromise between the constraints of the traditional tin can and the advantages of transparent plastic. A few such cans have managed to make it to store shelves, but it’s safe to say that for the most part, clear retortable plastic cans have been slow to take hold. That may change with the launch late last year of seven bean varieties by SC-based McCall Farms. The products are in a clear, three-piece, five-layer coextruded can. Steel top and steel bottom are seamed on and then induction-sealed for good measure. The launch is significant because it marks the commercial debut of the TruVue® can from Sonoco.