UNI Packaging’s digital solution for Ice & Easy’s premium drinks pouches

Leading flexible packaging group, UNI Packaging, has worked with the Ice Co to provide digitally printed stand-up pouches for their Ice & Easy branded Frozen Alcoholic Slushies. The Ice Co is one of Europe’s largest manufacturers of ice products.

First to market with drinks of this kind, the concept is simply that consumers freeze the pouch then squeeze the cocktail into a glass, for an adult slushy refreshment. Products in the Ice & Easy Frozen Alcoholic Slushies range, (which include Strawberry Daiquiri, Pina Colada, Margarita and Mojito), have been awarded both Grocer Drink Awards and Grocer NPD Awards.

With two new, limited edition product lines planned, Ice & Easy Frozen Fizz (Prosecco) and Frozen Rosé, The Ice Co approached UNI Packaging with a specific interest in digital print. As the new lines were due for launch this summer, emphasis was on the creation of premium look pouches, but with a rapid turnaround, by using the flexibility and scalability advantages of digital production.

Following successful packaging trials, UNI Packaging produced the new tooling for the 250ml stand-up pouches, creating an attractive shape that is convenient for consumer handling. Utilising UNI Packaging’s digital offering, Digiflex, the pouches were reverse printed with a matt lacquer applied and laminated as a four-ply structure. The pouches include a tear notch for ease of opening.

Ginny Durdy, The Ice Co’s marketing manager, said: “The brief to UNI Packaging was to produce great looking pouches in a short time frame to meet specific summer launch schedules. Delivered on time, both new lines are exciting additions to the range and are dressed to impress with a brand new look in elegant packaging that offers shelf stand-out, together with a premium appeal.”