When thinking about packaging solutions for liquid products, stand-up pouches may not be the first thing that comes to mind. But due to advances in flexible packaging, stand-up pouches are now one of the fastest-growing types of packaging. An increasing number of brands are switching from rigid to flexible packaging to hold liquid products such as beverages, household cleaners, and even oils and lubricants.

Usage of stand-up pouches in the U.S. alone is projected to grow by 7% per year through 2018. Growth will be driven by consumer and producer demand for more aesthetic appeal and convenient features such as recloseable sliders and zippers, ergonomic handles, and built-in pour spouts or taps.

Lightweight, portable, and convenient, stand-up pouches offer a number of environmental benefits when compared to rigid packaging. Flexible packaging requires less energy and generates less CO2 during production and transportation, and produces significantly less landfill waste through source reduction. Also, unfilled flexible packaging allows for more efficient warehousing since it takes up significantly less space than rigid packaging.

An example of a stand-up pouch customized for liquids is Glenroy, Inc.’s Ready Pour pouch. Designed for convenient dispensing, the lightweight and durable Ready Pour pouch features a tamper-evident tap dispenser and ergonomic handle. The pouch is constructed from materials engineered to preserve flavors and extend the freshness of liquid products, and the design allows for increased printable surface area to present attention-grabbing graphics that resonate with consumers.

With the emergence of more and more stand-up pouches on retail shelves, expect to see a switch from liquid products normally packaged in rigid containers to flexible packaging solutions such as Glenroy, Inc.’s Ready Pour pouch.