The Origin Group has launched a new business unit, SnappD, which the company says offers "first of its kind" brandable 100% recyclable single-dose sachets for a range of industries, including personal care, pharmaceuticals, beverages and sports energy products.
Traditionally, sachets are made of multilayer plastics that cannot be separated, making recycling challenging. There’s currently no legislation in place in the UK or EU to tackle the environmental impact of plastic sachets, with the single-use plastics ban currently only covering plastic straws, stirrers and cotton buds. SnappD sachets are made with more than 30% post-recycled materials (PCR) and are manufactured and filled in a dedicated 22716 environment.
"One of the largest challenges in SnappD’s development was balancing the need to achieve a multi-functional barrier structure to stop oxygen or water vapour getting inside and degrading the product, while ensuring the sachet was 100% recyclable using current technologies by consumers at home," Rich Quelch, Global Head of Marketing at SnappD tells Packaging Europe.
He adds that SnappD also can deliver eco-savings during transportation.
"The size and shape of SnappD sachets mean large quantities can be easily transported with minimal space wastage. For example, 250 Snapped 50x50 sachets can fit in 1 POS box – totalling up to 108,000 in one pallet."
Originally designed to respond to the growing need for hygienic hand sanitiser dispensers at the start of the global COVID-19 pandemic, the engineers at SnappD have since redesigned the sachets to suit a wider range of applications and sectors. The packaging can be used as part of brands’ current offering, or as samples to increase brand reach and attract new customers. Customers can choose from a variety of customised opening functions for liquids, semi-liquids, powders, granules and high viscosity products. Additionally, there is a double-cut option for brands to package two products in a dual-chamber, to be dispensed together. A sachet size between 40x50 mm and 100x100 mm is possible, delivering a minimum filling volume of 0.2 ml and up to 40 ml depending on the product category.
"Created in response to the increased demand for hand sanitiser during the coronavirus pandemic, SnappD was subsequently redesigned by our engineers to suit a wide range of applications and sectors, while supporting global efforts to reduce environmental harm from single-use plastic sachets. The packaging is made from mono polymer material, which is easy to collect, sort and recycle. The SnappD sachets can be disposed of in the Blue Recycling bin and are approved by TOMRA & WRAP as 100% recyclable," says Mr. Quelch.
Pharmaceutical-grade filling system is offered for filling volumes below 0.5 ml that require more precision, and for higher shelf-life requirements, barriers of aluminium and siox silica coating are available.
"This packaging is made from alu-based multilayer material which is suitable to more aggressive raw materials such as SPFs and chemical detergents," explains Mr. Quelch.
