Essentra adds AquaSense

As part of Essentra Packaging’s Protect range, AquaSense is the first example of Essentra Packaging’s Active Label Technology, and has been developed and jointly patented in conjunction with Essentra Porous Technologies.

It features an absorbent AquaSense pad that is activated by the consumer on opening the pack or tub. The pad is placed under a tap and soaks up a specific amount of water, which it then releases within the pack, keeping contents fresh, controlling humidity and reducing product waste due to goods drying out.

The AquaSense pad can be supplied in a variety of formats and sizes, and is designed to meet the specific needs of the product it is protecting. Options include high-impact graphics and designs that can combine with the freshness capability of the pad to deliver a message on adding the liquid, interacting with the consumer and acting as a means to deliver promotional campaigns.

Because the AquaSense pad soaks up only as much moisture as it needs, Essentra Packaging said it does away with the need for the consumer to measure the dose – it can simply be held under a tap or dipped in a glass of water to continue functioning just as effectively.

Martin Dallas, managing director of Essentra Speciality Technologies, said: ‘The project has been a great example of how we can leverage the significant expertise throughout Essentra to design a product to meet the customer and wider category need.

‘This is a genuinely exciting development and we believe there are many potential applications out there – that’s why we want to hear from fellow innovators who can see the possibilities this offers and we will be demonstrating at our shows and exhibitions this year.

'Combining our material and packaging knowledge across Essentra has led to the design of this exciting product and we see this as just the start of how we can create new and innovative products for customers using our collective capabilities to design new products our customers need.’