‘It’s a wrap’: Constantia Flexibles packages more than 50% of chocolate Santa Clauses in Germany

The packaging Tepro2 is a combination of aluminum with thin OPP (Oriented Polypropylene) foil and a special lacquer, which is applied on the outside or inside of the film, which acts like a rubber band to stop the foil from breaking when it is removed. 

Contours on chocolate figures

Due to its tear strength the wrapper can also be applied to new contours on chocolate figures.

Constantia Flexibles currently manufactures packaging for more than 50% of the 150 million chocolate Santa Clauses produced in Germany every year but it is also exports its Santas to the US, Australia, India and Japan.  

Stefan Grote, EVP, Group Technology and Food Europe, Constantia Flexibles, told ConfectioneryNews, its main hub for producing wrapping foil for Santa Clauses and Easter Bunnies is its Constantia Hueck plant, in Germany. 

It comes in a printed or lacquered aluminum foil thickness 9 - 15 µ. as an alternative aluminum film application. 

“We have been supplying all major brands in Germany and the rest of Europe for about 50 years now – so we are true experts when it comes to ‘dressing’ chocolate figures​,” he said. 

“We supply all major brands that produce chocolate Santa Clauses and Easter Bunnies – all in all we supply more than 20 customers in Europe​.”

Prevents migration of ink

The company’s patented Tepro2 method also prevents the migration of printing ink components and other substances from the outside and offers protection from sunlight.

Custom-made designs range from low-priced products in a mixed bag to glossy golden premium products at the point of sale. 

Grote added Constantia Flexibles has a long history of producing printing foil and film for Santa Clauses, Easter bunnies and other chocolate figures.

He said the first Santa Claus figures were made from solid chocolate around 1820 followed by hollow versions 20 years’ later.

“The low restoring force of the aluminum allows the foil to be wrapped tightly around the chocolate product during packaging​,” he added.