Bag-in-Box packaging for wine, which traditionally encountered some reluctance from the market, has now overcome its 'cheap and cheerful' reputation.

Rapak has won over leading French wine producers such as Prodis (Carrefour Group), Les Chais Beaucairois (Marie-Brizard Group) and Les Vignerons Ardechois. These makers of fine wines are turning to the bag-in-box format, also known as cask wine or wine boxes, to drive market share.

The switch of premium quality wines from bottle to bag comes as the result of major advances in filling and packaging technology led by Rapak.



The key factor is the ability to reduce the amount of oxygen in the finished pack to minimal levels. Rapak has introduced new technologies including:

1. Enhanced oxygen barriers on the films which line the bags and dispensing fitments

2. An improved version of the 'nitrogen shroud' which further reduces oxygen ingress during the filling process



A major benefit of these developments is increased shelf-life as a result of reduced oxygen ingress during filling and storage.

A clear move to Bag-in-Box for wine into retailing is taking place. With more supermarkets across Europe turning to 'shelf-ready' packaging, the bag in box format provides an ideal way of presenting product on the shelf. It's highly space efficient, can create a high impact display and has excellent shelf-life after opening. The ready acceptance by retailers of this packaging format means bag-in-box wine is set to become an even more familiar sight on the European supermarket shelf.