Sp Group Launches Retortable, Microwaveable Vsteam Pouch
30 Mar 2018 --- SP Group has unveiled a new advance on its VSteam bag solution, significantly boosting its suitability for the convenience food segment. SP’s R&D and Innovation department has developed better techniques to ensure that, in addition to being frozen at low temperatures, the bag can also withstand pasteurisation and sterilisation processes, and then be cooked in a microwave.
VSteam development will enable clients to use the pouch in the ready meals and sauces segment: a market that is expected to grow annually by 3.1 percent.
Pre-cooked products are submitted to heat treatments inside the package, but normally pouches do not have devices to heat or cook them in the microwave. SP Group provides the solution to this problem with VSteam, which includes a patented valve that opens with the heat from the microwave due to the internal pressure of the pouch, allowing steam to escape from inside and cooking the food. The valve also allows retorted, pasteurised or frozen bags to be microwaved without prior perforation.
The tests performed on the sterilisable VSteam pouch demonstrate that the valve withstands the pasteurisation and sterilisation of the product in industrial autoclaves with counter-pressure at a temperature of 121ºC, and without any risk of breakage or losses (under controlled conditions). SP Group aims to provide innovative solutions for companies and consumers in line with consumer habits and new lifestyles to ensure products are easier to use. This particular innovation was devised in response to increasing demand by senior citizens for food products that can be easily and safely cooked directly in the microwave.
More broadly, the improvements to the sterilisable VSteam packaging provide a solution answering the trend for convenience foods. ‘Convenience’ places third among the top innovation drivers in the European food market. “VSteam is a packaging solution that is easy to use, saves time and energy in both the manufacturing process and later cooking in the home, and generally facilitates the consumption of the product,” remarked María de Guía Blanco, responsible for the project.
Source: Sp Group
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COMPANY DETAILS
Ctra. Palma del Río, km 10
Córdoba
14710
Spain
www.spg-pack.com/en/
marketing@spg-pack.com
Tel: +34 957 76 76 12ACTIVE MATERIALS
Bio-Based; Biodegradable; Compostable; Flexible Plastics; Other Materials; Other Packaging; Rigid Plastics
ACTIVE CATEGORIES
Since its beginnings in 1985, the company has experienced huge growth to become one of the leaders in the manufacture of flexible and rigid films (laminates and complexes) for large-scale food packaging in Europe.
Their business philosophy is to provide their clients with the widest range of custom solutions for industrial packaging. With this in mind, they work closely with them to achieve the common goal of guaranteeing their consumers the best possible experience.
Their films are used to produce a wide variety of packaging formats, broadly destined for the large-scale food sector. Among their many products, they can highlight their flowpack packaging, tray lids made of APET or APET PE, and vertical and stand-up bags and pouches among others.
Another of their principal activities is the extrusion or manufacture of rigid and semi-rigid films for thermoformed packaging. These films are used for trays and vacuum-packing formats.
The four printing techniques they currently have available (Offset, Digital, Flexography and Rotogravure) complete their packaging offer, providing a unique level of diversity that allows them to adapt their products to the specific needs of each client.
The markets for the SPG range of materials are many and varied. As specialists in the food sector, they work with manufacturers of fresh, dry and frozen food products, among others. They also provide solutions for non-food markets, such as the personal care and hygiene, automotive, and chemical and biological markets, as well as markets for other non-food products.
RECYCLED PACKAGING
rPET
Our thermoformable rPET monolayer laminate is made 100% material post-consumer recycled (PCR). Of this more than 50% is recycled material from trays, and it is 100% recyclable.
Properties:
Very transparent, thermoformable, high chemical and heat resistance.
Applications:
Trays for many products, including: cakes, biscuits, salads, and fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as other non-food products: perfumes, cosmetics and blister packs.
BIODEGRADABLE PACKAGING
BIO FVSOL 60
BIO FVSOL 60 is a PLA- and PVOH-based laminate that is totally biodegradable, compostable and bio-based in accordance with regulation EN 13432.
This biodegradable laminate is one of the materials in our SOL range, which is characterised by high-barrier films that condense maximum quality and protection in minimum thickness. This material is also 100% suitable for contact with food products.
BIO FVSOL MATT N
BIO FVSOL MATT Black is a PVOH-based laminate that is totally biodegradable, compostable and bio-based in accordance with regulation EN 13432.
This laminate is very similar to the BIO FVSOL material, except that it is black with a matt finish. It is characterised by its similarity to paper in terms of feel and roughness. This material can be used with HD flexographic or rotogravure printing, and the packaging will still be 100% biodegradable thanks to the biodegradable inks.
RECYCLABLE PACKAGING
PE ECO
Our PE ECO is a polyethylene-based complex. It is a 100%-recyclable mono-material, meaning it can replace non-recyclable structures.
Properties:
It stands out for its transparency and its capacity to withstand heat treatments such as pasteurisation, hot-fill and microwaving processes.
Applications:
Processed meat and dairy products, such as cured sausage products and cheese, frozen fish and seafood, dried fruit and other dried food products, ranging from spices and superfoods to cereals and legumes.
PE HB ECO
Our recyclable PE HB ECO is a polyethylene-based complex with high-barrier properties, which can replace non-recyclable structures.
Properties:
It stands out for its transparency, its high-barrier properties, and its capacity to withstand heat treatments such as pasteurisation, hot-fill and microwaving processes.
Applications:
Sauces or products that contain sauce or another liquid, rice-based or other legume-based pre-prepared dishes, food supplements and superfoods, such as chia seeds, poppy seeds, etc., dried fruit and nuts, and other dried foods, among others. In the non-food sector, it is also suitable for gels, personal hygiene products and beauty products, among others.
CARBON FOOTPRINT-FRIENDLY PACKAGING
R-CLOSING HB EFFICIENT
Rclosing Efficient is a flexible high-barrier laminate with properties that permit re-closure. It is used as a lid for trays principally made from our APET EFFICIENT material. The laminate is characterised by being more sustainable than others as it is thinner and contains no chlorine products. In a triple complex it is available from 75 microns.
It can be made with transparent, white and metallic complexes.
SOL EFFICIENT
SOL is a coextrusion material that is superior to other materials with chloride barriers. It provides a high barrier, and is air and watertight. It has excellent flatness in laminate form and is very tough. Welds with polyethylene and polypropylene as required. Suitable for protective atmosphere. Requires lower sealing temperature. SOL PEL when peelability required. Considerable savings are made with this material.
VSOL
As with other materials in the SOL range, VSOL provides a high barrier with the required characteristics, but includes improvements for it to be used in vertical packaging machines. It has good hot tack and a low weld temperature.
