Versatile packaging for non-food

As the leading trade fair for the international packaging industry, interpack will once again bring together decision-makers and experts from a wide range of industries in Düsseldorf this year. In the process, the wide spectrum of non-food products is the main topic. Whether screws, batteries, stationery, flower bulbs, electronic accessories, DIY or household products – the requirements for modern packaging solutions are just as diverse as the products themselves. Folding cartons, trays, pouches and blister packs have to guarantee protection and functionality, attract attention at the point of sale, survive in e-commerce and become more sustainable at the same time.

In contrast to food, many non-food products are not consumed all at once, but often kept in their packaging for a longer period of time. Stability, reclosure and simple opening mechanisms are therefore required. Whether office supplies in folding cartons or plastic boxes, batteries in blister packs or screws in transparent plastic bags – presentation also plays an important role. Thanks to Euro perforations, non-food products can be placed hanging on the shelf, while viewing windows or transparent plastic packaging allow the contents to be seen.

Classic plastics are being replaced

Sustainability is also at the centre of non-food packaging. Environmentally friendly materials, recyclability and material reduction are more in demand than ever, as are the corresponding machine solutions. Interpack exhibitor Siebeck is pursuing such an approach with its fully automatic JET A50 S tying machine. Instead of classic plastic strapping, the system uses a compostable cord made from 100 per cent cotton. Different packaging heights and freely programmable lacing patterns can be implemented automatically. In addition to classic parcel strapping, the technology can also be used to secure products inside shipping cartons, eliminating the need for air cushions or stretch film.

In the mail order business, product protection, material efficiency and sustainability take centre stage. Flöter Verpackungs-Service meets these requirements with its AirWave systems. These air cushion solutions are characterised by the very low amount of material used, as the protection is mainly generated by trapped air. Based on renewable raw materials, AirWave Bio-Film is biodegradable, while AirWave ClimaFilm is made from post-consumer recyclate. In addition, AquaWave has developed water-soluble paper air cushions with a PVA coating that completely dissolves during the recycling process, thus enabling a clean return to the paper cycle. The various film types are processed on the Flöter AirWave1 and AirBoy nano4 air cushioning machines.

An often-underestimated lever lies in auxiliary and operating materials. In the field of sustainable adhesives and printing inks, interpack exhibitor Follmann will be addressing the packaging industry with bio-based dispersions, hot melts and PSA adhesives. Through the targeted use of renewable raw materials and certified mass-balancing methods, fossil resources can be reduced without compromising the process stability of existing plants. In addition, water-based printing inks for flexographic, gravure and screen printing offer a VOC-free alternative to solvent-based systems. This aspect is becoming increasingly important, especially in the non-food sector, where packaging is often printed in an eye-catching way.

New concepts are also emerging for primary packaging. Exhibitor AeroFlexx combines flexible LDPE film with an integrated air chamber structure for its liquid packaging of the same name. The result: up to 50 to 70 per cent less plastic consumption compared to classic bottles. The design enables almost complete emptying thanks to the self-sealing valve technology. The robust packaging also protects the product from external influences and permits easy recycling after use. AeroFlexx was recently honoured with a German Packaging Award (Deutscher Verpackungspreis).

Tubular packaging for non-food items

Poly-clip System is increasingly transferring its expertise in the food and pet food sector to technical and industrial non-food applications. With the automatic double clipper FCA 80, for example, the interpack exhibitor is showing a robust entry-level machine that securely closes collagen, fibre and plastic casings and is particularly suitable for pasty or viscous technical products, such as sealants or construction chemicals. The automatic double clipper is mechanically and electrically coupled with a filling machine. The portions are transferred to the exact gram and clipped together to form individual sausage-like packaging or chains.

In addition, the TSCA 120 sealing and clipping machine processes flat film from the roll into a ready-to-fill tube, which is then sealed in an integrated clipping unit. The machine is suitable for technical products, such as sealants and civil explosives. A wide variety of composite films can be used, while an integrated printing unit enables direct product labelling during the ongoing process. For non-food manufacturers, the result is high process reliability combined with a flexible choice of materials.

Auer Packaging’s durable reusable solutions are ideal for transporting industrial non-food products. The interpack exhibitor presents the Euro container with Pro hinged lid, which has been specially developed for applications requiring splash water protection and dust-tightness. An integrated rubber seal and clamping lever locks reliably secure the contents, while the stackability and optional lock integration offer additional functionality. For large-volume liquids or granulates, the Bag-in-Box IBC combines a stable reusable IBC with replaceable inliner bags, thereby meeting hygiene requirements and minimising oxygen contact during emptying.

Non-food packaging has to do more today than ever before. It not only protects products, but also represents brands, optimises logistics processes and meets increasing sustainability requirements. At interpack from 7 to 13 May 2026 in Düsseldorf, exhibitors will be demonstrating how technical development, material substitution and system integration can create solutions for non-food that meet both ecological and economic requirements.

Further information on the trade fair is available at www.interpack.de.