New paper cup for hot-fill alcoholic beverages
- Details
- Published on Friday, 05 October 2012 08:27
- Written by Staff Reporter
JAPAN – Toppan Printing Co Ltd has developed a new grade for its paper-based high barrier Eco Flat Cup which can be used for alcoholic beverages that require high temperature filling.
Compared to other similar containers, the Eco Flat Cup does not deform when hot filled due its improved dome-shaped lid, which can absorb the contraction of air and deformation in the container caused by changes in the temperature of the beverage and its reduction in pressure. The product can then be distributed at room or low temperature without any adverse effect on the package structure.
As it is suitable for high temperature filling, this cup can be used for a wide range of alcoholic drinks that require high temperature sterilization during filling, such as Japanese sake, shochu, and wines. In addition, because the lid can be completely removed for drinking, the Eco Flat Cup is also suitable for alcoholic drinks where aroma is important.
The entire cup is covered with Toppan Printing’s clear high barrier GL film. By utilizing form processing technology, the Japanese printer-converter was also able to prevent any unevenness of the seal section, improving sealability. These packaging features help reduce oxygen permeation rate and the resultant deterioration of contents, enabling longer periods of storage and longer shelf life for the packaged products.
The Eco Flat Cup not only makes product consumption more convenient, its easy-open sealant lid film as well as the reduction of paper fluff on the flange section after the lid is opened also makes for a more enjoyable drinking experience. 
Toppan Printing says that because the Eco Flat Cup uses paper as its main material, it is also a “sustainable next-generation paper container that is environmentally friendly and easy to recycle”.
Kizakura Co Ltd is the first company to use the Eco Flat Cup for two of its Japanese sake products – “Kizakura Karakuchi Ikkon” and “Kizakura Junmai Karakuchi Ikkon” – launched in September 2012. According to Toppan Printing, over 30% of the paper material used for the Kizakura cups are from domestic lumber, including wood from forest thinning that contributed to forest development and the mitigation of global warming.
Toppan Printing will expand sales of this product to the entire alcoholic beverage industry, including Japanese sake, shochu and wines. The company is targeting sales of US$38.2 million (¥3 billion) for this product and related orders in FY 2015.
Eco Flat Cup is currently on display in the Toppan booth 2-35 at Tokyo Pack 2012 (2 – 5 October, Tokyo Big Sight).
