The business unit of the Dow Chemical Company signed a licencing agreement with Hunan China Sun Pharmaceutical Machinery Co. to introduce the packages in China.
Astrapak and Dow came together to introduce PacXpert for liquid packaging in South Africa.
PacXpert flexible packaging technology is licensed globally by Dow through an agreement with Smart Bottle.
PacXpert use
China Sun will use PacXpert packaging technology to promote engine oils, edible oils, rice and detergent in Greater China.
Asia Pacific has the largest regional flexible packaging market size with 38% of global market volume, and is predicted to be the fastest growing market for consumer flexible packaging according to a 2013 Smithers Pira forecast.
“With huge growth potential in this region, we are excited to partner with China Sun to bring PacXpert to the market, and continue to introduce innovative flexible packaging solutions, raising the standards of packaging in China,” said Mark Saurin, commercial vice president for Dow Packaging and Specialty Plastics, Asia Pacific.
Xianghua Liu, founder and president of China Sun, said the collaboration with Dow strengthens its position in the market, and allows it to further explore and expand opportunities.
“We are confident that our customers will appreciate the benefits the unique PacXpert flexible packaging technology brings, propelling us to greater success in the industry.”
The agreement marks the second license in Asia Pacific, after Kyodo Printing in Japan in 2014.
Other licencees include O. Kleiner, Ampac, Darplas, Laygapack, Camada and Lord Plásticos.
South African announcement
Astrapak said the PacXpert packaging technology is used to replace existing rigid containers with a flexible container that can be presented on shelf with high definition colour graphics.
PacXpert containers have dual handles for decanting of the product content while eliminating the glug effect associated with rigid containers.
The lightweight pack collapses as it empties, causing excess air to be evacuated and extending shelf life by limiting the growth of bacteria.
Astrapak said a challenge with rigid packaging means getting all product out is not easily achieved but PacXpert can be squeezed like a toothpaste tube to ensure the best product yield of any packaging mode.
Once empty, it collapses to one tenth the size of a rigid container, reducing the waste footprint and management requirements of the customer.
PacXpert is stackable and can be palletised, either with or without boxes for support. It is shelf stable and can stand upright or on its side once filled.
The range of containers from 1 litre to 20 litres can be filled either by automated or manual filling.
The firm claims a 10-litre PacXpert flexible container uses just 30% of the plastic of a similar rigid container while a 20-litre flexible container uses just 20% of the plastic of a similar rigid container.