SIG supplies Alca Corp with a self-sterilizing aseptic pouch solution

SIG has equipped Alca Corp, a tropical fruit ingredient company, with its aseptic pouch solution featuring in-line sterilization in a proof-of-concept trial.

The SIG Prime 55 In-Line Aseptic removes the need for a third party to sterilize spouted pouches. Other benefits include high output, filling speed up to 55 pouches per minute, lower TCO, as in-line sterilization reduces operating costs, and greater flexibility as pouch size ranges from 30 mL to 500 mL. 

Ricardo Rodriguez, president and general manager, Americas, at SIG, says: “For decades, we have set the global benchmark in aseptic carton packaging, and now we are bringing that unmatched expertise to the pouch segment.”

“The SIG Prime 55 In-Line Aseptic is an exclusive innovation that showcases our ability to combine food safety, efficiency, and flexibility, while creating new growth opportunities for our customers and raising the standards of the entire industry.”

SIG is currently exhibiting the product at Anuga in Cologne, Germany. Alca is the first company to adopt it. 

Tropical fruit specialists 

Alca operates three factories in Latin America. It exports its fruit products to over 70 countries and supplies bulk packaging for baby food, beverages, and the healthy snacks industry manufacturers.

Andro Mandakovic, commercial global vice president at Alca Corp, says: “Together, we’re taking an important step of offering added-value products in retail formats. This will allow us to reinforce our vision of inspiring healthier habits by providing the most innovative, high-quality, socially responsible tropical products.”

The spouted pouch also features SIG’s CloverCap closure. The first Alca products to use SIG’s packaging solution are a banana and a pineapple juice. Alca will also provide packaging services. 

Farm to Pouch concept

Alca highlights that the partnership with SIG will help develop new products. The Farm to Pouch range features the Clean Commit logo, which indicates food safety and quality. 

According to SIG, aseptically packaged products retain nutrients, flavor, and natural colors without the need for preservatives. They can also extend shelf life to reduce food waste and energy consumption.  

Recently, SIG unveiled the Terra RecShield BD recyclable bag-in-box wine packaging, equipped with a SIG Terra FlexTap beverage dispenser. Moreover, it partnered with Pulpac to develop paper-based closures for SIG’s aseptic cartons.