“Flip Top” paperboard pack vs folding carton with Tacom spout.

What is the best packaging for washing powders?

Washing powders are mostly packaged in traditional Flip Top paperboard boxes. This type of packaging consists of a printed paperboard box, with an internal corrugated microflute board strengthener to increase pack rigidity.

There are some critical issues with this solution however, especially in terms of productivity, eco-sustainability, practicality and costs. Let's take a detailed look and see:

LOW PRODUCTION SPEED
Inserting a corrugated microflute liner into a Flip Top paperboard box is a complicated process that requires complex machinery. This slows down production line speed significantly. In fact, depending on the size of the box, production speed is 5 to 10 times slower than for the classic folding paperboard carton.

INEFFICIENT AND UNSAFE CLOSING
Once opened, the pack can’t be closed again hermetically, so powder and pungent smells disperse in the home environment. What’s more, this sort of packaging is certainly not child-safe and unless the pack is put in a safe place, it can easily be opened by youngsters with the risk of the contents being swallowed.

NOT PRACTICAL TO USE
After it’s been used a few times the opening starts to bend or tear, and getting the last of the solidified powder out of the bottom of the pack is inconvenient to say the least. You’re going to get your hands dirty trying to dig the product out of the box with the measuring cup.

What are the alternatives to Flip Top paperboard packaging?
The classic folding carton with a Tacom dispensing spout is an excellent alternative to traditional Flip Top packaging. A secure and practical opening and closing system means satisfied customers who don’t have to worry about the pack not being safe for young children or the lack of a hermetic seal.

Our Pac Spout and Pour & Dose solutions are perfect to meet these requirements, guaranteeing the pack is practical to use and can be closed again securely.

Pac Spout: the classic resealable dispensing spout that lets you conveniently pour the detergent, regulating the product flow as desired;
Pour & Dose: the dispensing spout with an integrated dosing system, to dose a precise amount of product.

In terms of production, there are several advantages when using a paperboard carton. First and foremost, it guarantees higher productivity, with speeds of up to 400 bpm. This translates into savings both in terms of efficiency and labour costs.

If your production includes washing powders in 1-2 kg product packs, the classic folding paperboard carton with a Tacom resealable spout is an excellent choice. Alternatively, our dispensing spout can be applied on a folding carton made entirely of microflute. This makes the pack more rigid, so it’s more suitable for palletised packaging.

Last but not least, another advantage of the folding carton pack with a Tacom dispensing spout is that it’s a sustainable solution, one that reduces the consumption of raw materials and guarantees further economic savings.

To find out more about our solutions, contact us for more information!