Paperboard bottle combines 'best features' of cartons, bottles - SIG Combibloc
According to the company, the combidome combines the protective, environmental and economic advantages associated with cartons, with the “shape, stability and smooth pouring action” of a bottle.
The carton consists of two sections – a base-to-dome paperboard carton body and a domeTwist screw cap. The components are assembled into the finished carton pack, aseptically filled and securely sealed inside the combidome filling machine.
“combidome is a 2-in-1,” a spokesperson for SIG Combibloc told DairyReporter.com.
“With combidome, a carton pack has appeared on the market that really sets itself apart from all other beverage packaging solutions as it combines the best features of a carton pack with the best features of a bottle.”
UHT dairy version launch
SIG revealed that at this initial stage, the combidome is only suitable for non-carbonated soft drinks.
The spokesperson confirmed, however, that a version designed specifically for UHT milk products will be launched in the near future.
“In this initial stage, combidome is designed as an innovative packaging solution for the juice and juice drinks industry. But we will shortly also launch combidome for UHT milk and UHT dairy products,” said the spokesperson.
“In this initial stage, combidome has the barrier properties necessary for filling non-carbonated soft drinks such as juices and juice drinks. But we will shortly also launch combidome for UHT milk and UHT dairy products.
The spokesperson added that at first the combidome bottle will only be available in a one litre format. Additional 500ml and 750ml volumes will also be offered a later stage.
All three volumes will be compatible with the combidome filling machine, said the spokesperson.
Core European target market
The bottle is composed primarily of paperboard and polymers. Paperboard is the main ingredient of the combidome structure – accounting for around 75% of the bottle.
An inner polymer layer forms a liquid barrier for the housed beverage, while a thin layer of aluminium protects the beverage from light, oxygen and external odours.
The company has pinpointed Europe, the Americas, and the Middle East as the core markets for the development.
“The core markets for combidome are Western Europe and some Eastern European countries – but we also see great potential in North and South America and the Middle East area,” said the spokesperson.
“In these markets, in addition to product protection and economic and environmental considerations, criteria such as differentiation and convenience also play a major role when it comes to packaging. Especially in these countries, we therefore believe that an innovative packaging solution such as combidome really put us in pole position.”
