Cap-it packages are an environmentally-friendly and recyclable paperboard alternative to traditional Hi-cone and shrink wrap packaging, claims its maker Graphic Packaging International.

New at the trade fair Drinktec '09, Munich, Germany, Cap-it packages use significantly less paper than conventional designs at a price comparable with shrink wrap packaging, the company's marketing manager Keith Brimble

"Our Cap-it paperboard packages are made from a sustainable, recyclable, renewable ecologically friendly raw material," he said. "In addition to the inbuilt advantages offered by the medium, we have been working hard to minimize the fiber content in our packages. This is not only the right thing to do from an environmental standpoint, but also offers customers competitively priced packages for today's cost-sensitive market place."

Minimal packaging

Its minimal packaging design allows consumers to view the bottled beverages which is said to provide added quality assurance.

The multipack needs only die-cutting and can be transported flat to improve truck load pack-out. Energy consumption for manufacturing and delivering Cap-it multipacks is claimed to be significantly lower than the energy used for Hicone plastic rings.

Other recent minimum fiber packages from the company include a range of can and bottle clips and a two-piece, fully enclosed carton for bottles. This is designed to allow the use of reduced caliper and low ¨Cfibre packages which can be run on existing equipment, claimed the company.

The company said it launched the new product in response to consumers' and clients' demands for sustainable innovation in packaging products.

Graphic Packaging's Cap-it multipacks are available for bottles in a range of sizes from 12oz to 32oz. Available worldwide, no precise information was available on pricing but the cost is said to be equivalent to that for shrink wrapping.

Product differentiation

Meanwhile, earlier this year, the Cap-it design triumphed in the 66th annual National Paperboard Packaging Competition held in the United States. Cap-it was chosen as the paperboard package with the most positive impact on product differentiation, merchandising, and sustainability among the 87 entries.

"We appreciate the industry's recognition of the Cap-it concept, which we believe can reposition paperboard as a competitive alternative to plastic rings and shrink film," said John Best, the company's vice president, product development.

"Cap-it paperboard multipacks demonstrate that designing for sustainability all along the supply chain can deliver more value compared with conventional plastic choices."

A jury of industry experts at the 66th annual PPC National Paperboard Packaging Competition chose Cap-it, the eco-friendly paperboard multipack from Graphic Packaging International, Inc., as the paperboard package with the most positive impact on product differentiation, merchandising, and sustainability among the 87 competitive entries.

Cap-it was first used last year as packaging for a six pack of 24oz Pepsi bottles.

“We appreciate the industry’s recognition of the Cap-it concept, which we believe can reposition paperboard as a competitive alternative to plastic rings and shrink film,” said John Best, vice president, Product Development, Graphic Packaging International, Inc.

“Cap-it paperboard multipacks demonstrate that designing for sustainability all along the supply chain can deliver more value compared to conventional plastic choices.”

The Cap-It design was introduced in 2008 as a six-pack carrier for 24oz. Pepsi beverage products bottled by Alabama-based Buffalo Rock.

The Cap-it multipack provides structural integrity, billboard and portability while out-performing plastic solutions like rings and shrink film in sustainability and supply chain economics including distribution and warehousing.

The minimal Cap-it design uses less fiber – a renewable and recyclable natural material compared to petroleum-based plastic -- and allows consumers to view the bottled beverages for quality assurance. The billboard is adequately sized for branding and promotional graphics, backside printing, product traceability codes and inserts. The short and long sides of the billboard also adapt more easily to retail shelf space limitations and provide visibly better differentiation than shrink film when multiple brands are displayed side-by-side in small spaces.

Cap-it system economics surpass that of plastic rings or shrink film. The multipack requires only die-cutting and can be shipped flat to improve truck load pack-out. Energy consumption for manufacturing and delivering Cap-it multipacks is measurably lower than the energy used for Hicone plastic rings.

Graphic Packaging’s Cap-it multipacks are available for bottles in a range of sizes from 12oz to 32oz. It will be interesting to see which companies start using Cap-it packaging for their 12oz bottle - the most popular size for soft drinks among U.S. consumers.