Schur targets convenience and functionality at Packaging Innovations 2018

19 Sep 2018 --- Schur Star Systems embodied a major trend at this year’s Packaging Innovations show in London: consumer convenience in packaging. This was epitomized by the ZipPop, a two-compartment duel-filling microwaveable pouch with a ziplock that releases under pressure to combine the ingredients inside. The pouch is aimed at the busy modern day consumer. PackagingInsights spoke to Ian Weston, System Sales Manager UK-North at Schur, about this innovation and the direction Schur are taking.

“Everybody is looking for convenience now. Research shows that within half an hour of people being at home they want to be sitting down eating their meal and the ZipPop offers a good solution towards that,” says Weston.

“The new Schur ZipPop is a microwaveable pouch which offers two compartments, duel-filling, and as it’s microwaved a special ziplock releases under pressure, allowing herbs or butter to drop over the product as it's being cooked,” he adds.

Schur also offers duel-filling packages which include a fork or spoon. “It offers more convenience to be eaten at your desk and on-the-go,” says Weston. “The pack itself is built to fit in the hand neatly as well as being eaten from.”

Both the ZipPop and the cutlery pack are now available on the market.

Schur also prioritizes convenience for its packaging customers. Weston explains how Schur is renowned for its bespoke packaging and packaging system. The supplier offers a combined solution of packaging machine and packaging.

“Every single pouch that you see on our stand can be run down one machine with little or no tooling,” he says.

Schur is also looking to increase its sustainability offering. Weston continues: “Sustainability is obviously the trend of the moment. As a company, we have to look at various different other materials.”

“However, the problem we have at the moment is that everybody has very different processes that don’t allow for sustainable materials. But we do have different materials that we are testing so that later in the year we should be able to bring something new to the market to meet the sustainability trend,” Weston concludes.

Schur also showcased its “T-Shirt” Schur Star packs, designed to offer customers individual or limited edition brand opportunities. For example, in anticipation of the FIFA World Cup this year, two large Swiss vegetable marketers launched their snack tomatoes packaged in a Swiss national football shirt design.

By Joshua Poole