More Attention At POS: New Paperboard Can In Square Format

Unique square shape and new closures deliver eye-catching graphics, consumer convenience and critical marketing disruption on store shelves for brands seeking differentiation

22-Sep-2016 - Germany

Sonoco, one of the largest global diversified packaging companies, has announced its latest innovation: SquareCan, a visually differentiating rigid paperboard container in a square format. The company showcases the distinctive SquareCan at FachPack trade show, September 27^th – 29^th in Nuremberg, Germany, Hall 5, Booth #345. Sonoco’s new paperboard can is a reaction to the growing demand for new packaging formats. In an increasingly competitive environment, it is important for brands to stand out. The SquareCan does so with a new lid variety: it is equipped with a hinged lid that can be decorated using in-mold labelling (IML) technology. Adding IML lid to the SquareCan, Sonoco combines its know-how from rigid paper containers and plastics in a single packaging solution for the first time.

Cylindrical paperboard containers are a convenience-packaging classic produced by Sonoco for many years and are a mainstay for packaging products like stacked chips or powdered instant drinks. The new SquareCan is Sonoco’s first paperboard container with a square shape. Sonoco produces the paperboard can in a longitudinal winding process and with an aluminum membrane sealed in. “Measuring 104 to 94 millimeters, SquareCan adds an attractive option for customers as part of our portfolio,” said Rolf Regelmann, Director Sales and Marketing at Sonoco Consumer Products Europe. “SquareCan is a major new product development that opens up additional possibilities in terms of packaging design and merchandising opportunities for our customers,” added Regelmann. As an added marketing benefit, the unique shape of SquareCan allows for eye-catching, 360° graphics providing more surface area for brand messaging, and added-value content such as recipes, promotions and health tips.

Along with the SquareCan, Sonoco introduces a new closure. The company provides its new rigid paper container with a hinged lid that can be decorated with IML technology. “Plastic lids for rigid paper containers decorated using IML technology feature outstanding tactile and visual effects; even highly realistic photographic images are possible,” explains Séan Cairns, Vice President and General Manager, Sonoco Consumer Products Europe. “Incorporating plastic lids decorated using IML technology provides an additional branding area, adding another opportunity to make the package stand out from the competition,” added Cairns. In the IML process, messages or graphics can be injected directly into the base plastic lidding material during production. The IML-decorated hinge lid is firmly glued to the container body, ensuring better product protection. At the same time, it is easy to open and resealable.

SquareCan also provides significant efficiency benefits in terms of logistics. Thanks to its almost square shape, the package optimizes the use of available space, making transportation and storage much more efficient and cost-effective. In addition, compared to competitive products, SquareCan is significantly more stable and provides greater product protection due to a more robust, thicker body wall construction that adds rigidity to the package.

The combination of SquareCan and IML lid provides a particular advantage for packaging tobacco products. The revision of the European Tobacco Product Directive (TPD 2) makes warning labels on lids obligatory for cylindrical rigid paper containers, but not for those with a rectangular format. Because manufacturers have to put large warning labels on the sides of the rigid paper container, the lid becomes the central decorating area for the presentation of the brand. With IML technology manufacturers can capitalize on this. SquareCan and IML technology will be on display at FachPack taking place in Nuremberg, Germany, September 27^th to 29^th in the Sonoco Consumer Products Booth, Hall 5, Booth #345.

https://www.yumda.com/en/news/1149258/more-attention-at-pos-new-paperboard-can-in-square-format.html