Dive Brief:
- AriZona Beverages has partnered with Plastipak to create a new type of hot fill PET packaging called ThermoShape.
- The hot fill PET packaging has the look and feel of AriZona's iconic glass packaging, maintains the product's flavor, extends shelf life and is lightweight and recyclable.
- The packaging can also run on existing hot fill lines and provides barrier protection using Plastipak's proprietary ThermoShape and DiamondClear barrier technologies.
Dive Insight:
This type of packaging technology could be crucial to the growth of RTD hot beverages, which more manufacturers are beginning to explore. These include hot teas and coffees that would enable manufacturers to compete with chains like Starbucks, which is producing more RTD retail products appearing on grocery store shelves.
Other manufacturers have begun testing RTD hot beverages, including PepsiCo, which piloted warm soft drinks and teas served in heated cases at CVS stores in the Boston area earlier this year. Warm soda hasn't picked up yet in the U.S., and whether it becomes a surprise innovation that heats up soda sales, even temporarily, remains to be seen.
RTD hot beverages may also be a way for beverage companies to change their offerings as more food and meal-like products are shifting to the drinkable meal replacement category. These products appeal to about 40% of American consumers, who say it's easier to obtain the nutrients they need in the morning via liquid, according to a recent Mintel report.
That includes sports nutrition drinks, drinks that are high in protein and fiber, and chilled, drinkable soups, such as startup Tio Gazpacho, which received funding from General Mills' 301 Inc. earlier this year, or Züpa Noma, the first product launched by incubator Sonoma Brands, which debuted last month.