The application of paper packaging in non-carbonated beverages and dairy products has experienced a period of rapid development, which has captured most of the market share of glass and metal containers. However, it has encountered strong competition from PET bottles, and the growth rate has gradually declined, but it still accounts for It plays a decisive role, especially in the area of ​​small-capacity packaging. In the future beverage market, paper packaging will continue to be the focus of development and have a balanced growth.
The main market, in fact, is purely paper-based packaging materials that are difficult to use in beverages. The packaging of beverage paper that we refer to is almost entirely a composite of paper. Composite paper packaging is widely used in beverages, especially non-carbonated beverages. Dairy products are the largest application area. Juice, tea and coffee are the most widely used varieties in beverages. At present, almost all major manufacturers of milk, juice, and tea beverages in China have marketed paper packaging products.
In terms of specifications, paper packaging is known for its small capacity. Because the rigidity and strength of paper packaging is not enough, as a packaging with a capacity of 2 liters or more, it seems to be inadequate.
Taking fruit juice as an example, the packaging of about 300 milliliters is almost completely occupied by paper packaging, and facing the severe challenges of PET in the market of 1 liter and 2 liter packaging.
In the market of more than 2 liters, the paper packaging that directly touches the beverage is almost useless. Its application is mainly in the form of a bag-in-box, that is, an aluminum plastic composite bag with a valve is used to pack beverages, milk, or liquor, and then is put into corrugated paper. In a box, a combined package is formed. At present, this packaging has just entered the Chinese market and has not yet formed a great influence.
Typical Paper Packaging Typical composite paper packages used in the beverage industry include Tetra Pak and Kang Mei boxes that use ultra-high temperature sterilization processes, international paper companies that need to be refrigerated, or roof bags in four countries.
Tetra Pak launched the ultra-high temperature instant pasteurized composite paper packaging, which could be said to have triggered a beverage revolution at the time. Beverages can be put on the shelf for a long time. This is the precondition for companies to expand their sales channels. On this basis, large-scale enterprise groups that target national sales can be extended.
In the composite structure, the Tetra Pak box with ultra-high temperature sterilization process has higher requirements for packaging materials, generally adopting a 7-layer composite structure of paper/plastic/aluminum foil and adhesive layer to ensure sterilization when the temperature is high. , And strictly block the intrusion of air and moisture. Ultra-high temperature sterilization of beverages or dairy products, also known as "sterile packaging" can be stored at room temperature, and the shelf life of up to one year or more.
UHT sterilized beverage packaging can be stored at room temperature, which is very suitable for the incomplete status of cold chain in China. Therefore, it is developing very rapidly in our country, but the ultra-high temperature sterilization process brings convenience and also affects the taste of the beverage and destroys it. Or change the inherent flavor of the beverage, so in recent years, the paper composite packaging represented by the International Paper's roof package has sprung up.
Relatively speaking, the packaging structure of International Paper is relatively simple. Because the processing technology does not need to withstand ultra-high temperature, it is generally a paper/plastic four-layer structure, there is no aluminum foil layer, and the barrier property is not as high as seven layers. The product needs to be refrigerated, and the shelf life is generally not more than 40 days. However, the taste of the beverage is kept relatively well, and the nutritional components are also less damaged. In particular, as China’s cold chain and sales environment continue to improve, and consumers’ demand for beverages has improved, fresh-packed paper-packed beverages have become popular in major cities. Although the proportion of fresh-keeping beverages in paper packaging is not yet comparable to that of ultra-pyranotrophic beverages, the preservation of beverages will be the key to the development of packaging beverages in China in the future compared with the international development and the recent development trend in China.
Small packages of sterile paper-packed beverages usually have a hole in the top of the lid that is sealed with aluminum foil; there is no device that can be directly intubated in the ridge-type, whereas a 1-liter bottle of beverage usually uses an open-angle cut opening. In recent years, there has been a new type of carton plus a plastic cover, inside the aluminum plastic composite film seal, can be re-sealed.
Taking the typical paper packaging of International Paper Company as an example, the similarities and differences of paper packaging can be analyzed.
The typical fresh-keeping paper packaging for the "Qiao Xian House" roof type carton is characterized by:
1. The “real” taste of the product can be retained to the greatest degree, namely “original”.
2. Block harmful light from damaging vitamins and other nutrients.
3, after unsealing, the "fresh-keeping cap" on the package really keep fresh, and can make the package horizontally placed in the refrigerator, easy to pick and place.
4, the new easy to open pull ring unique features.
5, more convenient storage and dumping.
6, can be eye-catching pattern design and full-color printing, and can be used for advertising design and various promotional activities.
7, easy to transport, increase distribution, reduce inventory.
8, the unique patented folding protection, moisture is not easy to penetrate and make the carton deformation.
9. Applicable to all kinds of fat-containing or non-fat milk, yoghurt, soy milk, all kinds of fresh/preserved fruit juice drinks, and soups, pouring sweat, cream, coffee, tea, edible oil, wine Liquid foods such as milk shakes and milk shakes are also suitable for dry foods such as cereals, rice noodles, dried fruits, apple slices, banana chips, potato chips, raisins and dehydrated vegetables.
The "Qiao Xian House" roof type paper package is equipped with a lid called FRESH CAP. Covered with the word “FRESH CAP” and the tip arrow in the direction of rotation, and the non-slip pressure line around the cover, it is very easy for consumers to open and close. Since 1991, after the US International Paper launched roof-type capping products, the United States has sold 250 million boxes of products using such caps. Today, 80% of all branded American sweats use lidded packaging. Milk uses this package to retain more fresh taste.
The aseptic brick tray can store and distribute beverages that are not easily preserved in the environment without refrigeration, and its quality, taste and nutrition can still be preserved. Its features are:
1, excellent product protection, multi-layered engineering design provides an effective protective layer, and to ensure the perfect structure and sealing quality.
2. Eye-catching pattern design, can use the effect of photo rotogravure printing or flexographic printing technology to produce a rich imagination, eye-catching product packaging.
3. All exposed sides of the product packaging are oriented towards the package's wrapping and do not touch the product.
4, tile-type packaging easier to stack, save packaging materials, save storage and shelf space.
5, very suitable for juice, milk, alcohol and other drinks.
6, easy to dump. Consumers only need to open the cap, tear open the seal and use it, there will be no splashes of water and delay, and no longer need tools such as scissors.
7. When you turn on, your fingers will not touch the drink to avoid contamination and hygiene.
8. The flat cover makes stacking shelves very convenient.
Still seizing the market share In the early days when the composite paper packaging entered the Chinese market, it had shouted the slogan of environmental protection and publicized the paper packaging volume for environmental protection. This is not exactly the case. Composite paper packaging cannot be reused or recycled, and there is no environmental advantage compared with PET and glass or metal containers.
In fact, paper packaging is light, easy to transport, and recycling is not difficult. These advantages are already the reason for using paper packaging. And ultra-high temperature sterilization aseptic packaging can make beverages stored at room temperature for a long time, which is still a big advantage. Therefore, the aseptic paper packaging represented by Tetra Pak will occupy the leading position of beverage paper packaging in a relatively long period of time. However, as the living standards of the people in our country are increasing, the requirements for the taste of beverages will become higher and higher. . At present, the juice on the market in China is mainly made of concentrated sweat and 7 times water, and the proportion of fresh juice is still very low. In the future, with the increase of freshly-squeezed fruit juices, there will be more and more packaging for beverages that need to be kept fresh and refrigerated, and will gradually occupy a major position in large cities. In addition, aseptic packaging in the future will no longer completely tie the ultra-high temperature sterilization process, and the aseptic filling process of the aseptic carton will have a larger market.
The main market for paper packaging will also be concentrated on small packaging, and larger-capacity packaging will face fiercer competition from PET bottles. One-liter cartons without plastic covers will be eliminated.
Dairy products, juices, tea and coffee are still the dominant products, and the proportion of dairy products will account for more than 60%. Japan's paper packaging milk accounted for more than 80% of the entire paper packaging.
Box-in-box beverage packaging will further depend on the development of related industries, such as the localization of production equipment and materials. At present, China has achieved certain achievements in the localization of equipment. Filling equipment is also produced by domestic companies, but there is still a long way to go in the localization of paper. (From "Chinese and Foreign Foods")