Scholle IPN and LactaLogics boost premature infant nutrition with shelf-stable bag-in-box

10 Jan 2022 --- Global flexible packaging manufacturer Scholle IPN is partnering with LactaLogics to produce pharmaceutical-grade packaging for its human milk-based nutrition products, which cater to premature infants. 

PackagingInsights speaks to Glenn Snow, co-founder and CEO of LactaLogics, Chelly Snow, co-founder of LactaLogics, and Andrew Lively, business development manager at Scholle IPN. 

Glenn Snow says: “Complex and expensive cold chain logistics and storage prevent many hospitals from feeding premature infants an exclusive human milk diet.”

“Our packaging is shelf-stable, so there is no freezing or thawing required. This allows it to be made available through existing prime vendors and GPOs, increasing affordability and access, enabling mass adoption.”

Chelly Snow adds: “Our partnership with Scholle IPN will give hospitals access to aseptic packaging technology. Human milk will not require refrigeration and open-air mixing will be minimized, revolutionizing the way human milk is administered.”

“Combining the Scholle IPN packaging with LactaLogics Gentle-UHT processing capabilities means babies will have access to breast milk that is reliable, safe and abundant.” 

Packaging for most vulnerable
Glenn Snow stresses premature infants in hospital neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) are “extremely” vulnerable to disease and infection.

Open-air mixing can result in improper hygiene, mix-ups, or an increase in the infant’s risk of infection. 

“Our low acid aseptic packaging minimizes environmental exposure by reducing handling, staff costs, and potential bacteria contamination. It also reduces milk waste by offering precision dosing,” he explains.Combining the Scholle IPN packaging with LactaLogics processing capabilities means babies will have access to breast milk that is safe and abundant.

Improving premature infant-feeding 
Miscalculations when feeding premature infants can have severe consequences, highlights Chelly Snow.

“Our partnership with Scholle IPN will give hospitals access to aseptic packaging technology. Human milk will not require refrigeration and open-air mixing will be minimized, revolutionizing the way human milk is administered,” she notes.

Meanwhile, Lively at Scholle IPN, adds: “Our aseptic packaging, especially as it relates to pharmaceuticals, protects delicate products from contamination and outside environmental factors, which is critical when feeding premature infants.”

He explains the combination of the company’s product with shelf-stability and controlled and precise dosing makes Scholle IPN look forward to the positive impact of its packaging on premature infant lives. 

“NICUs will have access to shelf-stable, ready-to-serve human milk and human milk fortifiers, packaged in aseptic pouches and cartons, saving time and money while simplifying compliance.”

Environmental sustainability benefits 
Lively adds that because products are aseptically packaged and shelf-stable, the company can eliminate the energy and greenhouse gas emissions that are intrinsic to cold chain logistics. 

“These package types were chosen specifically because they provide safe, preservative-free products that will enable babies to thrive.”

Scholle IPN’s aseptic packaging protects delicate products from contamination, which is critical when feeding premature infants.“For example, when comparing a spouted pouch to a spouted carton, you’ll see up to 24% less processed greenhouse gas emissions. When it comes to bag-in-box, over 90% of the package is highly recyclable corrugate, meaning the majority of the package can be recycled.”

“As the package material is lighter weight than most rigid packages and collapses as it is used, it will take up less space in landfills.”

Convenient dispensing methods
Meanwhile, the bag-in-box solution features Scholle IPN’s ergonomic FlexTap, which offers easy-to-use, high-flow dispensing for liquid products. This one-way tap keeps the product safe and fresh while keeping air out. The spouted pouch offers an ergonomically-designed cap with tamper evident features. 

Furthermore, due to the shape of the cap, it can be easily twisted off to open and then back on to close and save for later. 

“This [cap] can minimize wasted human milk in NICUs because of precision dosing, while keeping the milk safe for up to seven days. It will be able to change the way hospitals lactoengineer, or mix, human milk for premature infants,” concludes Lively.

By Natalie Schwertheim