For quite a long time, beverage manufacturers have been solving the problem of group packaging for various packs. Traditionally, packs of cans and plastic bottles are grouped together with thermal film. However, legislation in Europe is becoming more strict, and there are more and more adherents of more sustainable packaging among buyers. Both of these factors force manufacturers to look for alternative solutions.
Cardboard packaging appeared, connecting cans and bottles into packs. Paper handles appeared, replacing plastic ones, allowing you to carry packs. Developments are carried out in different directions. But perhaps the simplest and most ingenious solution was proposed by the Spanish company Estrella Galicia, a major beer producer in Southern Europe.
The new multi-pack format is called "No Pack" by the company and consists only of glue. Actually, this is a line of glue dots that are applied to cans and connect them to each other. Now this option has been developed for packaging of 6 cans, the most popular volume in Southern Europe - 0.25 and 0.33 liters. Separating the cans is quite simple: you need to take the package so that there are three cans on each side, then separate the two sides of the package by pulling them up by the bases of the cans. Get two mini-packs of three cans. And it is enough to turn the outer jar a little so that it completely separates. Perhaps our description of the process is not entirely clear. But it is enough to watch the video on the Estrella Galicia website to make everything surprisingly simple.
Yes, this solution is not quite universal. It is not suitable for large packs of cans, not suitable for bottles. But its use, at least for packages of 4, 6 and even 8 cans of various sizes, will already have a very significant impact on reducing the use of flexible plastic in beverage packages. In addition, the development of this packaging format seems to be of great interest to one of the largest European manufacturers of packaging equipment - KHS. It was with its help that the Spanish managed to realize their idea.
The materials of the sites packworld.com, estrellagalicia.es were used.