Seven reasons why resealable packaging is here to stay

When it comes to foods like sliced cheeses and meats, resealable packaging has long been a standard way to ensure freshness – something Amcor has demonstrated with our wide range of resealable products for many years.

But as well as making products taste better for longer, resealability offers other benefits, some of which can have a huge impact on sustainability and consumer health – and it’s these advantages that make solutions that were popular a decade ago even more popular today.

As Mintel’s Benjamin Punchard said at Interpack 2017: “If you are not already in the resealing category, you are behind the market.”

So here’s a rundown of the top seven advantages, including my thoughts on why resealable packaging remains the perfect option for food brands looking to up their game in 2018.

1. Resealable packaging increases the product’s shelf life

Resealability prevents water-rich products like cheeses and processed meats from drying out during refrigeration, so the food is better to eat for longer. This is crucial for product safety and reassures consumers that what they’re eating is truly fresh.

2. Reduces food waste

By keeping products fresher, resealable packaging means food can be consumed over a longer period of time, which in turn reduces the amount being thrown away. With the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) estimating that one-third of food produced for human consumption is lost or wasted every year – around 1.3 billion tons – resealability definitely is the way of the future.

3. Makes portion control easier

A resealable package lets consumers eat one slice of ham or cheese at a time without worrying that the remaining food will go off. In fact, Amcor’s resealable packaging styles allow consumers to remove a single slice without touching the other slices inside, while the easy-to-open-and-close feature also promotes sharing.

4. Offers product differentiation

Being both sturdy and stable, rigid packaging with a resealable lid can be displayed upright on the supermarket shelf, making the product in question more visually appealing to shoppers than the average flow pack or shrink pack.

5. Convenience for consumers

Consumers prefer the ease of use of resealable packaging, as well as the convenience of not requiring a second container after the food is opened. But they also appreciate how the package is great for on-the-go consumption and is easily openable, meaning it can be thrown into a bag and consumed anywhere – from office desk to picnic in the park.

6. Reduces the ‘messiness factor’

Products like sliced ham can be wet to handle – when wrapped in thin plastic, residue is easily transferred to the consumer’s hands. A rigid tray and resealable lid means consumers simply open the lid, remove the top slice (without touching the rest) and close it. This ensures that the product is handled in a clean and easy manner, which is particularly useful when food is eaten outdoors or while travelling.

7. Can be applied to improved packaging sustainability profile

Resealable technology can be easily applied to different materials. The trays are typically made using a combination of polyester and polyethylene, but can also be produced using polyester only, which could then be recycled in countries, which are currently looking to develop a specific mono APET container recycling infrastructure.

Amcor’s expertise means we can add a reclose capability to any tray package. Find out more about our resealable packaging solutions and how we can transform your product line here.