Aptar brings to Brazil Bonded Aluminum to Plastic (BAP) technology that offers convenience and functionality for food packaging. The technology, which is brand new in Brazil, is featured on the new packaging of national favorite Cappuccino 3Corações. For the development of this new package, Aptar and 3Corações surveyed cappuccino consumers and identified three main areas of focus in regards to the consumption experience – a tight seal between the closure and bottle, ease of opening and closing, and a wide opening for easy to access to the content – all of which are addressed with this new package.
Tight seal
Designed for the most diverse food categories, BAP, as its name suggests, is made of plastic and aluminum. In the manufacturing process, the aluminum foil is welded to the plastic of the cap and, after filling, is welded back onto the container itself. This gives the lid an excellent seal, ensuring optimum food preservation, and helping to prevent leaks. Because the lid is attached to the package, and cannot be separated, it is easier to maintain the hygiene and integrity of the product inside.
Ease of opening
Easy to open and close, the cap, which has a flip-top lid, is integrated directly into the package. Together, they form a one-piece solution, with fewer removable and disposable parts. Opening the package is now more convenient and intuitive, thanks to the ergonomic pull ring which is attached to the aluminum foil, and comes out in one piece, leaving no sharp edges. This helps to improve the use occasion for consumers of all ages, and leaves them with an enjoyable packaging experience.
Wide opening
Thanks to BAP technology, a screw thread was no longer needed, and the neck finish was made wider, following the design of the container, and allowing for easier access to the product. Because the product is easier to access, this change in neck size also helps to decrease the amount of product that is wasted.
In terms of manufacturing, BAP brings better efficiency to the production lines of Grupo 3Corações, optimizing – and even eliminating – steps in the cappuccino manufacturing process. The elimination of the screw thread made the packages 16% lighter, and made for easier accommodation at the points of sale. Due to the improved design, which uses less plastic, 3Corações estimates an annual 40 ton plastic reduction with the new packaging compared to the previous design. Another key factor is the harmonization of a single cap for the two container sizes (200 gm and 400 gm): since it also serves for both versions of the product packaging; reducing the need to control different inventories.
Technology also contributed positively to the equity of the brand, increasing awareness and strengthening the positioning of the 3Corações Group as a leader the manufacturing of cappuccinos in Brazil. “We were able to develop a completely customized solution that brought greater convenience to the final consumer. We kept the classic elements of the brand, such as color, layout base and heart shape,” explains Gisele Sousa, president of Aptar Food + Beverage for Latin America.
“3Corações cappuccino has been an innovative product since its launch more than 25 years ago. The heart shape, a very important icon of the brand, reinforces the ties we maintain with our consumers, which endorses us with each repeat purchase. With a sophisticated simplicity, we hope to surprise the consumer with this new packaging, the result of tireless and passionate work,” says Lucila Garcia, executive manager of research and development at Grupo 3Corações.
