Snapsil easy-to-open, portion-controlled packaging

Homegrown packaging innovator Snapsil, showcased its latest range of easy-to-open, portion-controlled packaging designs and manufacturing technology at the Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP) National Conference, held on the Gold Coast from 14-15 June.

Easy-to-open, accessible packaging is quickly becoming a high-profile, major issue for a wide range of companies. An AIP conference session was dedicated to openability and accessibility of packaging, with presenters from Arthritis Australia, NSW Health and Nestlé Australia highlighting the increasing importance and relevance of this issue.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, one in three Australians is over the age of 50. By 2050 it is estimated that at least 44% of the population, or over 14 million people, will be aged 50-plus and that 7 million of these people will suffer from a form of arthritis.

Data from the Arthritis Australia website indicates that 3.85 million Australians are living with arthritis and 6.4 million are living with arthritis and/or a disability. Aside from other lifestyle limitations these 3.85 million Australians may experience, this can also make certain forms of packaging frustrating, difficult and, in some instances, impossible to use.

It is not just those with arthritis that experience frustration, nearly 80% of respondents “expressed anger, frustration or outright rage” with plastic packaging according to a 2008 Cox School of Business, USA, survey.

Snapsil’s packaging innovation was driven by this increasing market demand for convenient, easy-opening portion control. The unique design can be easily opened with a simple one-handed action. Its ease of opening has been tested and validated at the Georgia Tech Research Institute, a leading authority on accessible packaging.

The company has recently introduced thermoform barrier technology in addition to its existing injection-moulded products. This breakthrough has extended Snapsil’s application to products requiring oxygen barrier. Production using validated form-fill and seal technology is now available.

The packaging item is claimed to use less material than many other forms of rigid packaging, and the manufacturing technology footprint is small compared to other packaging machines, reducing space and energy requirements.