The bulk of production in the new packaging began appearing on store shelves in April. While the switch required some modification to the packaging line, including a nitrogen-flushing tunnel and a new seamer, it saves money on a per-can basis, according to Beer Nuts marketing communications manager Jim Tipton. The 18-month freshness dating is the same, though Tipton says freshness dating may well be extended to reflect the longer shelf life that this package provides. That's because the nitrogen flushing system removes more oxygen from the can than the previous vacuum packaging system, bringing residual levels down to about two percent versus five previously. Another benefit is that the new package's peelable foil membrane is safer than the previous aluminum ring-pull closure with its sharp edges. Sonoco supplies the canisters with the membrane and plastic overlid already applied; Beer Nuts fills them and seams on a metal bottom. Recyclability was a concern, says Tipton, though the composite canister contains 50% recycled content, 35% of which is post-consumer material.
