O-I testing faceted glass jar VersaFlip for salsas and dips that tilts to one side to make dipping easier and less messy, minimize food waste; discussions underway to bring jar to global market in coming months

Andrew Rogers

LOS ANGELES , January 24, 2013 (Industry Intelligence Inc.) – Owens-Illinois Inc. (O-I) is testing a new faceted glass jar for salsas and dips that aims to minimize food waste, the latest addition to its Versa range of packaging, Food Production Daily reported Jan. 23.

The VersaFlip can be tilted to one side so that dipping is easier and less messy compared to traditional rounded openings.

Silgan Holdings Inc. designed the lug closure, which can be removed for serving and is free of bisphenol A (BPA) or phthalates, Food Production Daily reported.

Currently, the jar is being tested at Walt Churchill’s Market in Ohio and is expected to expand into wider global commercialization. There are currently 1,000 of these jars in the pilot.

The VersaFlip jar has received positive feedback and the market interest has led to a shorter pilot than previous tests, according to O-I’s director of global commercial strategic planning, Stephanie Johnston.

Johnston said that discussions are underway to bring the VersaFlip to markets worldwide in the coming months. Meanwhile, two other products in the Versa line are in development and could be tested in locations around the world before they also move to market.

O-I has introduced at least one new product every quarter for its Versa line in 2012 and expects to continue that momentum into the new year as the company expands into other categories, Johnston said.

The primary source of this article is Food Production Daily, Montpelier, France, on Jan. 23, 2013.

* All content is copyrighted by Industry Intelligence, or the original respective author or source. You may not recirculate, redistrubte or publish the analysis and presentation included in the service without Industry Intelligence's prior written consent. Please review our terms of use.