Pouch bags have not been in the market for very long ― “More recently, pouch bags have begun to serve multiple product types across various industries to the satisfaction of both retailers and consumers,” says Aaron Fox, Vice President at Fox Packaging and President of Fox Solutions. “Pouch bags are seeing a spike in demand as they offer solutions, not only to consumers but also to growers and packers.”
Consumer solutions
Food safety is likely to be one of the key drivers of increased demand. Keeping product touch points in mind, having product packed in pouch bags, or in another packaging application, offers peace of mind as to the hygiene of the produce in general.
In addition, Fox believes that the innovative spirit plays an important role in demand. In the past, customers may have not been very apt to transitioning out of their traditional packaging style. “We’ve witnessed that the structured aesthetics in combination with convenience have resulted in pouch bag trial runs increasingly growing into mature programs,” he said. Pouch bags are front-facing to a consumer, allowing brand owners to highlight their story through colors, messaging, and by communicating how their brand is aligned with the consumer’s lifestyle.
Sustainability is another factor which has become progressively important to consumers. “We are members of the Sustainable Packaging Coalition and we responsibly source our materials and qualify them according to strict specifications,” said Fox. “A Fox Stand-Up Combo Bag offers a reduction of carbon emissions made in transport due to the lightweight nature of the bag. Our Polyethylene Pouch Bag can feature the How2Recycle store drop-off iconography, communicating its recyclability in participating store programs.”
Stand-Up Combo Bags.
Grower/packer benefits
For growers and packers, pouch bags have become more versatile and easier to work with due to advancements in technology in automatic packaging. “At Fox Solutions, we identified a gap in the market and manufactured the FSPB2 Pouch Bagger. This machine pairs with a Newtec weigher and can automatically pack up to 18 bags/minute depending on the commodity type and weight.” In addition, the FSPB2 Pouch bagger has add-ons for certain commodities. For products like apples, the FSPB2 has a soft-fill feature that permits produce to be gently packed without concern of product bruising. The Stand-Up Combo Bag permits produce to respire naturally, positively affecting the lifespan of the product. “Having the ability to manufacture straight PE stand-up bags and combo pouch bags offers versatility to packers who would like to pack a range of product types,” explained Fox.
Newtec weigher and FSPB2.
As a result of the benefits, Fox Packaging has experienced an increase in inquiries for products that historically weren’t packed. “Between the beginning of 2020 and now, we have produced pouch bags and equipment solutions for apples, mini-cucumbers, bite-sized potatoes, green beans, avocados, tangerines, mini peppers, tomatillos, jalapenos, serranos, as well as some other interesting product types that are in the research and development stages.”
Pouch bag.
For more information:
Fox Packaging & Fox Solutions
Tel: +1 (956) 682-6176
Email: info@foxbag.com
www.foxbag.com
www.solutionsbyfox.com