Poultry holds a special place in both the hearts and appetites of the Brazilian people. Not only is the nation ranked among the Top 3 in poultry production worldwide, it is also the highest in per capita consumption at 104.5 pounds per year.

C-Vale, one of the largest poultry cooperatives in Brazil, supplies much of the chicken that satisfies this ongoing demand. Its Aurora brand of frozen chicken nuggets is sold throughout Brazil and in more than 70 other countries.

In responding to growing consumer attitudes toward convenience and product freshness for its Aurora Auroggets, C-Vale found the answer in a flexible package solution that included the resources of Zip-Pak Brazil, a leader in zipper closures for packaging.

Zip-Pak, a Manteno, Ill.-based division of Illinois Tool Works, Inc., is at the global forefront of resealable packaging innovation. In developing the Aurora packaging solution, Zip-Pak worked closely with Plastrela, a Brazil-based converter and supplier of the Inno-Lok closure system. Inno-Lok is a patented product and method for attaching reclosable fasteners transversely to packaging films, thereby producing a roll of pre-zippered film that can be used for products requiring either barrier or non-barrier packaging. In this particular case, the Inno-Lok system was chosen for its ability to meet stringent moisture and oxygen barrier requirements needed to preserve product freshness and flavor.

“This is the first use of Inno-Lok closure system for a poultry package in Brazil,” says Daniel Richena, commercial director for Zip-Pak Brazil. “Working closely with C-Vale and Plastrela enabled us to help deliver a reliable flexible packaging solution quickly and easily.”

The new reclosable pouch has a front panel zipper that provides convenient access to its contents. Incorporating this pre-applied Inno-Lok feature required minimal adjustments to C-Vale’s vertical-form-fill-seal (VFFS) machines.

“Our technical knowledge and expertise with the equipment used in the manufacturing process enabled us to anticipate problems, eliminate delays and make the integration of the Inno-Lok closure a smooth and easy process,” says Flávio Zampirolli, Zip-Pak Brazil’s field service engineer. “We’re grateful to have been part of this collaboration with Plastrela and C-Vale, as both are highly respected companies in Brazil. As we continue to expand our regional resources, we certainly look forward to many more opportunities like this.”

Zip-Pak currently supports and supplies resealable products, technology and equipment to a number of leading multi-national consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies that market to Brazil, Brazilian-based CPGs and numerous other leading Brazilian brands. That’s why earlier this year, Zip-Pak opened a new 46,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Cabreúva, São Paulo, Brazil. 

“Brazilian consumers are continuing to show preference for packaging that is both convenient and extends product freshness,” adds Richena. “Zip-Pak’s resealable solutions directly support this trend, while enhancing the consumer’s experience and elevating brand perception.”