Germany's Bischof + Klein creates new flexible packaging that uses up to 80% less materials as more customers seek 'green' options; B+K also develops flexible alternatives to rigid packaging for non-food applications

Kathryn Mackenzie

LOS ANGELES , July 17, 2012 (Industry Intelligence Inc.) – As more customers seek so-called green lifestyles, suppliers are responding with a reduction in packaging materials, and Germany's Bischof + Klein Group has responded by creating a new flexible packaging that uses up to 80% fewer materials, Packaging Europe reported online July 17.

According to the publication, B+K, a flexible packaging and technical films supplier, has been researching ways to minimize the wall thicknesses for some of its products for several years. In 2011, the company reported a 22% reduction in the volume of material used to produce bags for hygiene products. It also eliminated the volume of material used for three-ply laminates for food packaging by roughly 12%.

The company also reduced its side gusseted bags and sacks 8% within the U-Pack product line, primarily used in the pet food sector.

B+K has additionally established flexible alternatives for rigid packaging that have already been successfully launched for various non-food applications in place of hard packaging. In certain cases, such product solutions have allowed for material reductions of more than 80%, Packaging Europe reported.

The primary source of this article is Packaging Europe, Norwich, England, on July 17, 2012.

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