PouchLab is the R&D Excellence Centre set up by Volpak in 2019 to support customers and partners in optimising their flexible packaging solutions. In the past two years, this area has been a hub for different companies in developing sustainable pouch solutions, combining knowledge and experience in machine and materials. Several machines are currently producing recyclable pouches (paper, mono-material) using Volpak equipment and the company aims to raise this number more and more.
Volpak, a Coesia company, in the past years has put strong efforts in developing solutions complying with the upcoming worldwide regulations, which aim to reduce the waste and the carbon footprint of packaging processes. This was possible also thanks to the support of the ‘Coesia Centre of Expertise Sustainability’, which was set up to centralise data gathering, support green strategy setting and accelerate existing initiatives across Coesia companies, such as the creation of the PouchLab. The Lab has been fully operational since June 2019 and has proved to be a key asset in partnering with key customers and suppliers to co-develop new packaging solutions.
The laboratory is located in a special area within Volpak premises, which ensures maximum confidentiality and dedicated closed boxes for material storage. The area hosts a state of the art pouch-forming machine, based on HFFS technology, and complete testing equipment, which customers can rent and use at their discretion to analyse their material, make pouches and test their quality. All takes place in a controlled environment, which also relies on Volpak’s technical expertise, since the company further supports users thanks to its long-standing experience and unique know-how in pouch processing and machinability of packaging materials.
During the last two years, there has been a general improvement of tested products; films are becoming much better, showing a positive evolution of their physical properties and better functioning on the machines. This is due to a substantial improvement in the processes adopted by suppliers and converters already with full PE film that behave very well in terms of sealability, mechanical properties, and spout application. Today, beside Paper structures, the industry is heading towards Full-PE and Full-PP films. Future challenge will be to enhance their performance and barrier properties.
Regarding sustainability and full Paper materials, PouchLab also played a primary role in developing the sealing process for a full paper recyclable stand up pouch we can now find in the market place currently produced on Volpak equipment. For more visit volpak.com
