Walki, a manufacturer of laminates and packaging solutions, supports its customers in the development of innovations that are also sustainable. One example is a combined folding box concept with a special tear-off strip embedded in the board and an intelligent folding mechanism for re-sealing. Originally developed for packaging fish fingers, the innovation can be used for a wide variety of products thanks to the barrier coatings specially adapted to the product.
The tear-off strip (Walki-Tear-Strip) is not a perforation in the usual way, but embedded in the board. The strip must be stable enough to open the packaging reliably, but also thin enough that it does not impede production. “The tear takes place so accurately and cleanly that no board fibres come loose and enter the product”, explains Stefan Erdmann, Technical Service & Development Manager Barrier Board at Walki. “Because the Walki-Tear-Strip uses no perforations, the barrier surface remains completely intact, which guarantees safety.”
Two packaging sections are created when opening with the tear strip, which can be sealed again easily by folding at the side and inserting the sections into each other. “The mechanism is easy to understand. In practice, we have noticed that consumers identify the slight grooves on the sides of the packaging instantly as a folding point, which enables the two packaging sections to be inserted into each other when actuated,” confirms Erdmann. “This saves resources, as the consumers no longer re-package the products into plastic bags, for example, but can simply leave them in the sealed packaging.”
The packaging has a high sustainability value. The re-sealing feature means that it can be re-used multiple times, which saves resources and helps to prevent waste. As a secure primary packaging with no additional shell, Walki-Pack also reduces the packaging quantity for the benefit of the environment and costs. “Whether frozen foods, fresh produce or dry goods like cereals, salt or animal foods, right through to household goods and pharmaceuticals – the concept can be used for practically any product thanks to the barrier coatings individually adapted to the product,” explains Erdmann.
Walki-Pack folding boxes can be opened cleanly and precisely with the Walki-Tear-Strip and sealed again by folding at the sides and inserting the two sections into each other.
