SIG’s combismile rolls out in Europe amid flourishing demand in on-the-go sector

26 May 2020 --- SIG has announced the commercial launch of combismile in Europe (currently excluding France, Germany, UK and Italy), pegging this carton solution as enabling brands and producers to differentiate themselves in the competitive on-the-go market. The cartons are marketed as “highly renewable and fully recyclable,” offering a viable alternative to plastic packaging. The commercial launch in Europe is being carried out in partnership with co-packer Juustoportti, a Finnish family-owned oat product and dairy producer.

“As the world begins to slowly re-open, consumers will look for beverages they can incorporate into their lives without thinking twice about them. Beverages that can be easily transported and consumed, and which meet their health and wellness and sustainability needs – demands which have become more important than ever. With combismile, F&B brands and producers can meet these expectations while satisfying their own goals for expansion. This gives them the opportunity to increase their offerings and stay on top of a challenging market,” details Karina Zawadzka, Marketing Account Manager Poland & Nordics at SIG.

This latest rollout follows releases of combismile in other global markets: from SIG’s partnerships with Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group Co and Inner Mongolia Mengniu Dairy Group – among China’s largest dairy producers – to a collaboration with South Africa’s Pioneer Foods, introducing combismile to the Middle East and Africa. SIG’s on-the-go cartons are also noted to have made waves in the North American market through a collaboration with Steuben Foods, an aseptic F&B manufacturer.SIG’s highly renewable and fully recyclable cartons offer a viable alternative to plastic packaging as well as brand enhancement opportunities.

Available in a range of sizes from 180 ml to 350 ml servings, combismile is adaptable to a broad range of beverages applications. The company outlines the applicability of the packaging solution across a broad range of functional and still drinks; juices and nectars; ready-to-drink teas and coffees; milk drinks and value-added dairy products; water drinks and plant-based drinks.

Combismile has completed launches in Asia, North America, the Middle East and Africa. The packaging solution is dubbed a beverage carton that is “much more than the sum of its parts,” which is ready to meet current and future demand for food and beverage experiences that are “as comfortable as they are convenient” – without sacrificing on style or taste.

Consumer-centric design from top to bottom
With its slanted top, easy-grip corners and round cheeks, SIG notes the state-of-the-art combismile carton has been designed with a “consumer-centric” approach: from an innovative single-action spout which can be resealed, to a U-shaped paper straw, for easy access on-the-go.

Compatible with drinksplus – a new technology by SIG that allows to aseptically fill carton packs with beverages containing pieces of fruits – each combismile carton pack is designed to hold healthy beverages with real food pieces such as fruit, vegetables, nuts or grains.Each combismile carton is made using 100 percent FSC-certified paperboard.

Each combismile carton is also made using 100 percent FSC-certified paperboard, and can be made with polymers linked to responsibly sourced plant-based materials. In addition, all cartons produced for the European market will come with ASI-certified aluminium.

“With its easy-to-handle and stylish design, we can bring out the fun side of our high-quality products while increasing the value we offer our customers,” concludes Niklas Keski-Kasari, Director at Juustoportti.

Earlier this month, SIG teamed up with Nestlé, Logitech and other industry partners in a joint initiative to fund breakthrough research into more environmentally sustainable materials at EPFL, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, in Lausanne, Switzerland. Together, the corporate partners have committed CHF 5 million (US$5.2 million) over the next ten years to fund a new research program addressing the overall environmental impact of packaging materials and the exploration of bio-based, biodegradable and recyclable paper-based solutions.

Edited by Benjamin Ferrer

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