Why Are Custom Stand Up Pouches a Fast-Growing Market?

Packaging trends emerge quickly, and even if you think you have your finger on the pulse of the industry, there are always innovative new ways to present the products that you may not have considered.

Custom Stand Up Pouches (SUPs) are one of the most practical, adaptable, and fashionable new packaging options. They've been around for decades, but with the public's growing interest in efficiency and waste reduction, they're gaining traction.

SUPs are typically equipped with a resealable zipper, track, and/or spout and can transport solid, liquid, or powdered items. Pouches are also available for single-serve drinks like Capri Sun, to-go snacks, and any baby food or granola containers. In 2019, you'll find these flexible pouches all over the shelves of any retail store.

The Expanding Flexible Packaging Market

SUPs are more popular than ever, an important addition to the options available in manufacturing, because they are functional, flexible, and have a plethora of potential uses.

Pouches are becoming increasingly popular for a variety of products ranging from coffee beans to soap refills to potato chips.

According to a Freedonia Group study, demand for stand up pouches in the United States will grow at a CAGR of nearly 6% to $2.9 billion by 2022.

Custom Stand Up Pouches often make product handling and storage easier because they are light and take up less shelf space, so they should be a serious packaging consideration for many manufacturers.

The Advantages for Brands, Manufacturers, and Customers

Depending on your product's needs or contents, stand up pouches offer a variety of advantages, including:

Resealability: Stand up pouches are frequently resealable, which is a big plus for customers. Perishable snacks, such as vegetables, can be kept fresher for longer by using reclosable sliding zippers. Furthermore, they make opening and closing the products much easier for people with disabilities or dexterity issues.

Clear windows: Pouches have the option of being transparent. These windows allow customers to see the contents of the container, increasing the likelihood of purchase. According to a recent Forbes article, "consumers want to see the physical product before purchasing, in addition to the listed ingredients on the label."

Recyclability: These pouches are frequently recyclable or can be made from recyclable or sustainable materials — an important factor in today's market expectations. When it comes to multi-layer pouches with foil and other barrier layers, there are some limitations.

Fewer materials: SUPs use fewer materials than many competing options, reducing waste and manufacturing costs while also lowering the carbon footprint. They are also less expensive to transport because they are lighter. Consumers are also looking for more environmentally friendly options, so these pouches have retail appeal.

Spouts: The addition of spouts on the top of these pouches allows products such as sauces and other liquids to be easily poured without making a mess.

Durability/Stiffness: Despite the fact that stand up pouches are made of flexible materials, they're tough and designed to stay upright — even if the pouch is only partially full. They're ideal for resealable products or items that will be used only occasionally.

Handles: Handles are an extra option for stand up pouches. Including these allows customers to carry the product without the need for an extra bag.

Furthermore, the SUP trend corresponds to consumers' shifting eating habits. People are shifting away from eating three main meals per day and toward snacking and smaller items throughout the day.

According to a Technomic 2018 study, consumers are more likely now (than in 2016) to replace one or two meals per day with snacks. Eighty percent of consumers report snacking at least once per day. Custom Stand Up Pouches contribute to this trend because they are often resealable and ideal for single-size servings.

Manufacturing Difficulties Associated with Custom Stand Up Pouches

While SUPs are ideal for a variety of items, they are not for everyone. They do present unique challenges in terms of manufacturing and packaging, and they aren't an ideal choice in all situations. Among these difficulties are the following:

Machinery evolves. Filling machinery for stand up pouches can be costly to implement. It's a different system than what's been used in the past for packaging, and not all businesses can afford to invest in something new. Check out this video to see how it works: 

Inefficiency: While the pouches themselves are a good way to store and contain items, the filling process isn't always. It is dependent on the product. For breakfast cereals, for example, the filling process or line speed of pouch machinery would have to match the speed of current equipment — which is not yet the case.

Unsuitability. Not all products are suitable for stand up pouches. Take, for example, ice cream. Frozen treat containers require stiff sides, and scooping the contents necessitates resistance.

Will You Be Able to Use Custom Stand Up Pouches?

While stand up pouches aren't a "one size fits all" packaging solution, they are a versatile, efficient technology with a wide range of applications — and a welcome addition to the growing list of more sustainable, customizable options for manufacturers.

If your company produces a product that appears to be a good fit for this type of packaging, it's worth looking into what's available.