Bemis' Curwood wins top packaging award at International Dairy Foods' Innovation Awards for SmartTack Flexible EZ Peel Reseal technology that allows flexible packaging for cheese to be opened and closed without traditional zippers or sliders

Elyse Blye

OSHKOSH, Wisconsin , November 27, 2013 (press release) – Curwood’s SmartTack™ Flexible EZ Peel® Reseal™ Packaging is the top winner in the packaging division of International Dairy Foods Association’s second-annual Innovation Award. The package features the first peel-reseal technology that can be used with 100% flexible packaging, allowing cheesemakers to add easy opening and reclosability (without zippers!) to more retail packaging.

Curwood, Inc., recently garnered the top innovation award in the Packaging Category at the International Dairy Foods Association’s second-annual Innovation Awards. The award was conferred on Curwood’s SmartTack™ Flexible EZ Peel® Reseal™ package, the first peel-reseal technology that can be used with 100% flexible packaging.
The new formulation gives cheesemakers a way to add easy opening and reclosability to their packaging without traditional zippers or sliders. With two to three times the retack strength of previous generations of commercially available peel-reseal systems, the robust system helps keep cheese fresh until it is consumed. Peel-reseal packaging has been available previously only in rigid or semi-rigid packaging formats.
Awarded the winning innovation in the Packaging Category, Curwood’s next-generation SmartTack™ Flexible EZ Peel® Reseal™ technology allows makers of chunk, sliced or snack cheeses to offer peel-reseal convenience using flexible thermoforming films as low as 3-mil thick. Consumers just peel open the flexible package, cut a slice or chunk, then reseal the package to keep the contents fresh—they never even have to touch the cheese. SmartTack™ Flexible EZ Peel® Reseal™ packaging peels cleanly open and can be resealed up to 20 times with fingertip pressure, setting a new standard for performance. The improved formulation also has enhanced tamper evidence in the form of seal whitening.

“At Curwood, we’ve seen a significant rise of interest in convenient, simple, multi-use packaging,” says Curwood’s Cheese Marketing Director, Brian Sturgill. “We’re honored to be recognized for packaging developments that offer cheese processors new opportunities to innovate products and meet market trends.”
The Innovation Awards exemplify substantial achievements in price or performance; or significant advancements in technology or innovative design. The Awards are sponsored by Dairy Foods magazine and the International Dairy Show, held this November at McCormick Place in Chicago. One award was presented in each of the five categories: food safety, ingredients/flavorings/seasonings/additives, packaging, processing and sustainability, and Attendee/Reader Choice Award.
The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), Washington, D.C., represents the nation's dairy manufacturing and marketing industries and their suppliers, with a membership of 550 companies representing a $125-billion-a-year industry. IDFA is composed of three constituent organizations: the Milk Industry Foundation (MIF), the National Cheese Institute (NCI) and the International Ice Cream Association (IICA). IDFA’s 220 dairy processing members run more than 600 plant operations, and range from large multi-national organizations to single-plant companies. Together they represent more than 85% of the milk, cultured products, cheese and frozen desserts produced and marketed in the United States.
Known throughout the world for technological leadership in high-barrier packaging, Curwood is a preferred supplier of innovative packaging materials and systems for food, beverage, household, industrial and personal care industries. Curwood maintains strategic manufacturing and service centers throughout North America, South America and Europe, and is well positioned to meet global distribution and marketing needs. Headquartered in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, U.S.A., Curwood is part of the Bemis family of companies.

For more information on Curwood’s complete offering, call Curwood customer service at
(800) 544-4672, email curwood@bemis.com or visit www.CurwoodInnovates.com and www.curwood.com.
Bemis Company, Inc., is a major supplier of packaging and pressure sensitive materials used by leading food, consumer products, healthcare and other companies worldwide. Founded in 1858, Bemis Company is included in the S&P 500 index of stocks and reported 2012 net sales of $5.1 billion. Bemis has a strong technical base in polymer chemistry, film extrusion, coating and laminating, printing and converting. Headquartered in Neenah, Wisconsin, Bemis employs approximately 20,000 individuals worldwide. More information about Bemis is available at our website, www.bemis.com.

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