Consumer preference for sustainable packaging leads to rise in popularity of Smurfit Kappa’s Nor-Grip
March 28, 2019
Smurfit Kappa has seen a marked increase in the number of companies
seeking sustainable replacements for shrink film for multipacks.
The packaging leader, which launched its Better Planet Packaging initiative
last year, has been working on a portfolio of products designed to replace
shrink film, starting with the innovative Nor-Grip solution.
Assembled in an automated packing line, the Nor-Grip is an innovative
corrugated solution that securely bundles products, such as large bottles,
together into consumer units eliminating the need for shrink film.
A recent study found that 75% of consumers have a preference for the
sustainable Nor-Grip product versus a plastic shrink film.1 In the wake of
growing concerns about the amount of packaging waste going into the world’s
oceans and landfill, a growing number of global brands have approached Smurfit
Kappa to provide recyclable alternatives for single-use plastics such as shrink
film.
The Nor-Grip product is suitable for a wide range of products that typically
come in large bottles including soft drinks, cooking oils, bottled water and
detergents. It was put through a series of rigorous tests to ensure it was
robust enough to carry even the heaviest loads throughout all aspects of the
supply chain. What’s more, the corrugated material is also an excellent base
for high-impact printing to make brands stand out in-store.
It is assembled by the Nor-Grip Applicator, a highly reliable and efficient
machine created by a team of experts in the Smurfit Kappa Machine Systems
division. The combination of sophisticated automation, extensive supply chain
and consumer knowledge and innovative product design ensures the fastest speed
to market for customers.
Smurfit Kappa is also developing and testing a number of additional products
such as the Multipack ‘Sleever’ sister product which is used for smaller
products like bottled beer and canned goods that will be added to its Shrink
Film multipack portfolio in the coming months.