Canada’s oldest candy company, family-owned Ganong Bros Ltd. in New Brunswick, has selected a cellulose-based packaging film for its range of Easter confectionery in stand-up pouches. NatureFlex™, from Innovia Films, is a renewable, compostable material made from wood pulp.
Explains Bruce Rafuse, Ganong vice president of marketing, “We had two primary objectives in selecting the package: first and foremost was to improve sales and distribution, and second to differentiate us from the competition. We considered several alternatives, but based upon feedback from consumers and retailers decided upon NatureFlex due to it being compostable and the distinct competitive advantage this gives us. Our ultimate goal is to move all our products into compostable pouches.”
The stand-up pouch is converted by Genpak using compostable NatureFlex NKR—a transparent, heat-sealable, compostable film formulated to provide enhanced moisture barrier by the addition of a small amount of PVdC—laminated to a biopolymer sealant layer. Says Bill Reilly, Genpak development manager, “NatureFlex provides excellent barriers to oxygen and moisture, which ensure the product maintains its quality. The film also printed and performed well on our machines.”
The range of Ganong’s Easter confectionery packed in the NatureFlex stand-up pouch includes Chocolate Covered Cherry Eggs, Easter Eggs, Chocolate Covered Marshmallow Eggs, and Easter Animal Jellies. These products will be available nationally in Canada in the run up to Easter.
The pack design has already the caught the eye of the industry and has won a PAC (The Packaging Association) Silver Award for Branded Package Made in Canada.
NatureFlex films are certified to meet the American ASTM D6400, European EN13432, and Australian AS4736 standards for compostable packaging. The film’s wood pulp is sourced from managed plantations from referenced suppliers operating Good Forestry principals (FSC or equivalent). The renewable, bio-based content of NatureFlex films is typically 95% by weight of material according to ASTM D6866. NatureFlex has been confirmed as suitable for emerging waste-to-energy techniques, such as anaerobic digestion, aiding the diversion of organic wastes from landfill.
