Food Packaging: Homegrown retort pouches set to debut
Hartsville, S.C.-based Sonoco Products Co. has concluded a three-year development process with the introduction of a three-ply, single-serve retort pouch. A U.S. manufacturer will roll out a line of products in the new pouch in the next few months, according to Jeffrey M. Schuetz, Sonoco’s director of global technology. He declined to identify the processor.
The foil-based, three-ply pouch is dubbed Sonotort and represents a departure from the typical four-ply construction. “For single-serve applications, we believe a nylon layer is an unnecessary component,” Schuetz explains. “The inclusion of nylon is really a strength issue in handling,” and smaller pouches can get by without it, resulting in a less costly package. Other layers are cast polypropylene film on the inside and an outer polyester layer surrounding foil. A clear foil-free pouch also is available.