UK set for launch of easy-pour stand-up pouch for milk

The UK dairy market has never been one to mix fresh milk and flexibles, but that could be about to change with the launch of stand-up Ecolean pouches. The material, which is already used for pouches in mainland Europe, binds together calcium carbonate (40% by weight) in a polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP) matrix. The preformed pouch is supplied on a reel, with a tear-off spout and a handle which is inflated with air, for a secure grip, at the filling stage.

The filling system uses controlled atmosphere packaging (CAP). This can double the shelf-life achieved with bottles and cartons, says converter National Flexible, which is managing the UK launch of the pouch. There are also weight benefits, it says, compared with pre-blown bottles and board. Ecolean 'degrades' or breaks down into its constituent parts, but is not biodegradable or compostible. The material is produced by the Rausing-owned business of the same name in Sweden.

Major UK dairies are "showing interest" in the new pouch format, says Andy Smith, marketing manager at National Flexible. While stressing the need for consumer acceptance, he says: "We expect to see the first commercial use at the back end of this year."

Robert Wiseman's marketing manager Joanne Rae expressed doubts about a move to pouches, however, given potential consumer resistance and established routes to doubling product life through extended shelf-life (ESL) in bottles. "Just as Arla has its Cravendale brand, we do the Tesco Pure ESL brand in barrier, opaque bottles," she says.

In the UK, Marks & Spencer is using Ecolean as a cheaper alternative to foil laminates for wrapping butter. Tesco uses the flexible material in a similar way with sausages, and McDonalds employs it as a thermoforming material. The pouch format would also suit cream and drinking yogurt, says Ecolean.