Paperboard and plastic combined for packaging solution
Sonoco Europe has developed a packaging solution that provides a clear view of food products, including confectionery, while combining the advantages of rigid paperboard containers with those of plastic packaging.
WindowCan is produced with cylindrical plastic cans using in-mould labelling (IML) technology. They are decorated with paper labels that can be printed on both sides and have a design and surface feel reminiscent of classic composite cans.
There is a transparent window that allows consumers to view the product at the point of sale. The WindowCan has a wide range of applications and a moisture barrier and resealing snap lid make it suitable for dry foods like rolled oats, muesli, chocolates and sweets.
“Rigid paperboard containers are extremely popular with consumers and food manufacturers alike,” explains Séan Cairns, vice president and general manager at Sonoco Consumer Products Europe. “They are practical, feature full-surface design and suit a wide range of lifestyles. Until now, however, they lacked the kind of window that is the norm in plastic packaging. The WindowCan combines the advantages of composite cans and plastic packaging in a single packaging solution – including the clear view of the product inside.”
Using IML technology at the company’s facility in Zwenkau, Germany, the die-cut paper label, developed specifically for the application, is placed in the mould. The heat generated in the injection moulding process fuses it with the packaging material. The paper label retains its feel, resembling the classic Sonoco rigid paperboard containers and provides an appealing contrast to the smooth plastic window. Visual contrast can be created on the inside, as the paper of the label is printable on both sides.
The window in the WindowCan label is cut with a laser. A window in the shape of sweets or candy coated chocolate buttons, for example, alludes to the product inside. Stylised windows can reinforce the brand identity by representing a logo. As well as providing a clear view of the product, the window can reflect aspects like the transparency of the ingredients, Sonoco explains.
