Hug&Hold on drinks – a new sustainable alternative to plastic shrink wrap
Mondi, an international leader in packaging and paper, has introduced Hug&Hold, a recyclable, paper-based solution to substitute single-use plastic shrink wrap for PET bottle packs.
Alternative to plastic shrink wrap
Beverages brands, including drinks producers, wish to reduce unnecessary plastic usage. These purposes are compared to consumer expectations, with international customers examining less plastic when buying the product. Mondi’s new Hug&Hold answer is, therefore, timely, satisfying the sustainability needs of brands and their consumers.
Patent-Pending Sleeve
Hug&Hold includes two features that deliver secure and safe transportation and stacking bundles of bottled beverages. The prominent feature is a patent-pending sleeve of 100% kraft paper that wraps around the bottles to hold them securely. Made from Advantage SpringPack Plus, it offers high tensile strength and can withstand enough weight to strap and stabilize the bottles during transportation. The second element is a corrugated clip that holds the bottles around the neck. An optional integrated handle means a bundle of bottles can be carried and transported easily. The simple separation of single bottles from the pack by the consumer or retail staff adds to the convenience of the design.
With Hug&Hold, Mondi is the first to manufacture and market a complete concept, providing a strong and stable solution made from renewable and fully recyclable materials suitable for existing paper waste streams throughout Europe. The team worked with Krones, a global acting specialist in packaging automation technology, to ensure that Hug&Hold can pack bottles in a fully automated process with the latest Krones machines. Krones further offers options to upgrade its existing machinery, enabling an easy switch to Hug&Hold as a sustainable alternative.
Silvia Hanzelova, Sales Director Specialty Kraft Paper at Mondi, says: “Leveraging Mondi’s team of kraft paper and corrugated specialists, we were able to develop a fully paper-based solution with minimal material usage. Following thorough testing with Krones and a global beverage brand, Hug&Hold has been confirmed in terms of runnability and viability.”
