The products are available in 52g IML packaging in two flavours: Milk Chocolate and Cookies’n’Creme.
Premium on-the-go market
Hershey’s already has a presence in the Brazilian market with its Io-Io Mix and Io-Io Cream for children and Hershey’s Creamy Milk Chocolate in a 135g PET bottle or a 315g family-sized pack for young adults.
Ana Fontes, R&D manager, Hershey’s, Brazil, told ConfectioneryNews, Chocotubs represent its entry into the premium on-the-go market, in a new type of packaging which is ultra-handy, lighter and more sustainable.
“Choosing IML technology resulted in reduced investment costs by Hershey’s Brazil. Thanks to the in-mould labelling process, the production and labelling of the packaging take place in one operation,” she said.
“The costs of post-production labelling and the associated storage and transport costs fall away with the new production line.
“The offset printing technique provides IML labels with high-resolution images in up to eight colours. This superior quality is crucial, because high-quality photographic images attract the consumer—the new product grabs more attention at the sales outlet—and they highlight the excellent quality of the product.
“Plus, with one IML label, we decorate all sides of the packaging.”
ABRE Brazilian Packaging Award 2015
Hershey’s Chocotubs was recognised in the ABRE (Brazilian Packaging Association) Brazilian Packaging Award 2015 inthe ‘Sweets and desserts packaging’ category.
It was also the first IML packaging to compete in this category.
Fontes said the judging panel recognised the benefits of IML packaging for the on-the-go confectionery market, adding, ‘it’s 100% recyclable, because with IML the label is integrated into the packaging itself. Label and packaging form a single entity, which simplifies the recycling process later on’.
Ricardo Bruni, general manager, Plast & Pack Injection Moulding, said it had worked with Verstraete IML as a commercial and technical IML partner in the past.
“Verstraete IML has 25 years’ experience in printing IML labels. We have already introduced Verstraete IML to the local and regional industry, for example, to Abiplast,” he said.
“Thanks to their know-how, we were able to make a success of this technically-complex project for Hershey's Brazil.”