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.”
