Zipbox, a joint venture between Zip-Pak and T.H.E.M., announces that Plantation brand natural "raw" sugar will be the first product to go to market in the new Zipbox resealable carton format.

To see a video on Zipbox, click here.

Zipbox

Plantation, which will debuts in the United States,  chose Zipbox because it alters the packaging landscape on the shelf, ensuring it stands out among traditional pouch packs in the "natural sugars" segment.

"When we were first introduced to the Zipbox, its novelty was compelling because we knew it would resonate with retailers as an innovative new package format," said William McDaniel, president and CEO of U.S. Sugar Co., Inc., the manufacturer of the Plantation brand. "There has not been a successful packaging innovation in the sugar category for several years, and we are excited to take our Plantation brand to market as the first in this type of package."

Zipbox is a poly-coated paperboard carton incorporating an attached flexible film header containing a ZIP-PAK Press-to-Close solution. Zipbox is designed to facilitate direct-filling of products without the need for an inner liner. By removing the liner, the package can hold up to 40 percent more product, maximizing the product-to-package ratio and cube utilization to reduce transportation costs.

"We were pleased to see the cost of producing the Zipbox was quite competitive with other package formats when taking fill speeds and pallet efficiencies into account," adds McDaniel.

The three-pound Zipbox format was chosen in order to give the consumer a better value compared to existing "raw sugar" products. The larger quantity is meant for multiple uses, making Zipbox the ideal package format to enhance consumer convenience through easy opening and reclosing. Zipbox also eliminates the need to use clips or transfer contents into a separate container, keeping marketing messages in front of the consumer through the last use.

"In our consumer insight testing, Zipbox was recognized as an intuitive and easy-to-use package format for consumers of all ages," explains Frank Kelly, business manager for Zipbox. "The Plantation sugar team is certainly forward-thinking when it comes to delivering on the types of convenient features consumers now demand."

"Commercializing a new product can be extremely challenging, but the supply chain partners and brand worked well together," concludes Neil Kozarsky, President of T.H.E.M. "We are applying this initial experience to a wide range of brands that are eager to deliver innovation and convenience."