BAG IN BOX AIDS NEW POUCHLINK SYSTEM

Rapak’s aseptic bag-in-box technology is helping to ensure the freshness and quality of the drinks produced in the newly launched Pouchlink vending machine, while at the same time supporting its strong environmental credentials.

The Pouchlink vending machine, developed by the Green Drinks Company, fills spouted flexible pouches with freshly made drinks to order, effectively acting as a mini bottling machine. It is claimed to have a 75% lower carbon footprint than a conventional bottle or can vending machine. The pouches can be recycled and represent 75% less material than normal plastic bottles, while the machine uses 80% less electricity due to the fact that the water is only flashed chilled when it is needed.

The Pouchlink system incorporates newly developed post-mix technology that produces each drink to order, and is capable of using both preserved and unpreserved concentrates stored in bag-in-boxes supplied by Rapak. The concentrates are mixed with mains supplied water that has been specially conditioned to provide high quality tasting drinks. The range currently available includes Vimto, Bottlegreen, Sunkist and an own brand called Purifi.

The Rapak bags used in the system are 5 litres in size and feature high barrier films to offer full product protection and maintain product sterility. The patented connection system provides a 100% closed environment using a specially developed self sealing connector to the bag in box, which enables the concentrate to be mixed with water without the risk of contamination of the concentrate. The technology gives the bag-in-box an opened shelf life of up to six weeks. After each drink has been made, a volume of water flushes through the system to ensure no traces of fruit concentrate remain. A unique ozone cleaning system also automatically cleans the system every day, enabling non-preserved concentrates to be vended.

In addition to its practical role within the Pouchlink machine, the Rapak bag-in-box supports the system’s positive environmental profile. Independent Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) carried out by PIRA on behalf of Rapak assessed and compared the potential life cycle environmental impacts of bag-in-box technology with alternative liquid packaging formats in key markets including postmix syrup. The overall findings confirmed that bag-in-box has excellent environmental credentials that are at least competitive with and in many cases superior to alternative packaging formats. A key benefit of bag-in-box is its light weight, which contributes to a reduced carbon footprint.

“Pouchlink technology means that every drink is consistently and hygienically served and the Rapak bag-in-box is a vital part of ensuring that product quality is maintained,” comments Adam Green of the Green Drinks Company.

“Equally important, the packaging has a strong environmental profile, which ideally complements our own commitment to minimise the impact of our system.”