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Oct 18, 2022
Company News
Ireland’s coffee culture has evolved dramatically over the past decade, blending traditional preferences for instant coffee with a growing appetite for premium, convenience-driven formats like capsules and ground coffee. The market is dominated by five iconic brands—Nescafé, Kenco, Tassimo, L’OR, and Starbucks—each catering to distinct consumer needs. However, behind the success of these brands lies a critical, often overlooked element: advanced packaging technology. Companies like HIJPACK, a leader in packaging machinery, play a pivotal role in enabling these brands to deliver quality, consistency, and sustainability from production to pantry. Let’s explore how Ireland’s top coffee brands thrive and how innovative packaging solutions elevate their market presence.
Brand Overview:
Launched in 1938 by Nestlé, Nescafé revolutionized the coffee industry by making instant coffee accessible globally. In Ireland, it remains the undisputed leader, offering products ranging from classic instant granules to specialty blends like Gold and Azera.
Packaging Needs:
Nescafé’s diverse product lineup demands versatile packaging solutions. For instance, its instant coffee jars require airtight seals to preserve freshness, while single-serve sachets must balance cost-efficiency with durability. The brand also faces pressure to reduce plastic use, aligning with Nestlé’s global commitment to 100% recyclable packaging by 2025.
HIJPACK’s Role:
HIJPACK’s auto packing machines and cellophane wrapping systems enable Nescafé to streamline high-volume production. For example, their machinery can seamlessly transition between packaging formats—from resealable pouches for bulk instant coffee to compostable single-serve sticks. Additionally, HIJPACK’s modular designs allow quick adaptation to new materials, such as recyclable films or paper-based laminates, helping Nescafé meet sustainability targets without compromising speed or quality.
Brand Overview:
Founded in 1923 as the Kenya Coffee Company, Kenco has built a reputation for ethical sourcing and eco-conscious practices. Its Irish portfolio includes Rainforest Alliance-certified ground coffee and refillable coffee bags aimed at reducing waste.
Packaging Needs:
Kenco’s emphasis on sustainability requires packaging that minimizes environmental impact. Their refillable coffee bags, for example, need to be lightweight yet durable to withstand multiple uses. The brand also prioritizes compostable materials for single-use products.
HIJPACK’s Role:
HIJPACK’s auto cartoning machines and flexible packaging systems support Kenco’s green initiatives. For refillable bags, HIJPACK’s equipment ensures precise filling and sealing to prevent leaks, while their compatibility with biodegradable films allows Kenco to experiment with materials like PLA (polylactic acid). Furthermore, HIJPACK’s machinery integrates energy-saving features, reducing the carbon footprint of production—a key alignment with Kenco’s sustainability ethos.
Brand Overview:
A subsidiary of JDE Peet’s, Tassimo dominates Ireland’s coffee pod market with its TASSIMO system, offering a wide variety of beverages, from espresso to hot chocolate.
Packaging Needs:
Coffee pods require precision engineering to ensure compatibility with brewing machines. Tassimo’s proprietary T-Discs must maintain freshness for months while withstanding high-pressure brewing. The brand also faces consumer demand for recyclable pods, pushing innovation in materials.
HIJPACK’s Role:
HIJPACK’s coffee capsule filling machines are central to Tassimo’s operations. These machines handle the delicate process of filling and sealing pods without damaging the coffee grounds. HIJPACK’s technology supports aluminum-free, fully recyclable pods made from biodegradable plastics, enabling Tassimo to phase out traditional non-recyclable materials. The machines’ high-speed capabilities (up to 400 pods per minute) ensure Tassimo meets Ireland’s demand for convenience without sacrificing eco-goals.
Brand Overview:
A French brand under JDE Peet’s, L’OR targets premium coffee lovers with its espresso capsules and ground coffee blends, emphasizing café-quality experiences at home.
Packaging Needs:
L’OR’s luxury positioning demands packaging that exudes sophistication. Its capsules use nitrogen-flushed aluminum to preserve aroma, while ground coffee bags often feature degassing valves and metallic finishes. The brand also seeks to reduce material waste in capsule production.
HIJPACK’s Role:
HIJPACK’s multi-functional capsule fillers and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) systems are key to L’OR’s premium appeal. The capsule machines ensure precise dosing and nitrogen flushing, critical for maintaining freshness in single-origin espresso blends. Meanwhile, HIJPACK’s MAP technology extends shelf life by replacing oxygen with inert gases in ground coffee bags. To align with L’OR’s luxury aesthetic, HIJPACK offers customizable printing options for foil wraps and embossed designs, turning packaging into a visual extension of the brand.
Brand Overview:
While Starbucks is synonymous with café culture, its 2019 partnership with Nestlé expanded its reach into retail, offering ground coffee, capsules, and ready-to-drink products in Irish supermarkets.
Packaging Needs:
Starbucks’ retail line requires packaging that mirrors its café branding while addressing sustainability. Its Nespresso-compatible capsules, for instance, must be recyclable, and ground coffee bags need to stand out on crowded shelves.
HIJPACK’s Role:
HIJPACK’s high-speed capsule filling lines and auto-packing systems help Starbucks scale its retail operations. The capsule machines produce aluminum-free, compostable pods compatible with Nespresso brewers, meeting consumer demands for eco-friendly options. For ground coffee, HIJPACK’s vertical form-fill-seal (VFFS) machines create eye-catching stand-up pouches with integrated degassing valves, ensuring freshness and shelf appeal. Additionally, HIJPACK’s IoT-enabled machines provide real-time production analytics, allowing Starbucks to optimize efficiency and reduce waste.
While consumers recognize these brands for taste and ethics, HIJPACK’s machinery ensures their success behind the scenes:
Adaptability: From Nescafé’s mass-market instant coffee to L’OR’s artisanal capsules, HIJPACK’s equipment handles diverse formats, materials, and production scales.
Sustainability Integration: HIJPACK’s R&D focuses on solutions for recyclable, compostable, and lightweight packaging—critical for brands like Kenco and Starbucks navigating Ireland’s strict environmental regulations.
Precision and Speed: High-throughput machines enable Tassimo and Starbucks to meet Ireland’s demand for convenience without compromising quality.
Brand Customization: Advanced printing and design capabilities allow brands like L’OR to maintain premium aesthetics, turning packaging into a marketing tool.
