Loacker is underscoring its commitment to greener packaging with plans to expand its travel retail exclusive paper pouches across its wider duty free product portfolio.

Juan Miguel Cabrera, Business Director Duty Free & Travel Retail, told TRBusiness it is currently the “main goal” for the company, in response to the enthusiasm initially expressed by industry partners for the format, which first launched in September 2022 for its Gardena Mini Mix Pouch.

Read more: Loacker launches new travel retail exclusive paper pouches

“We have received very positive feedback in terms of quality of the materials used in the pouches,” said Cabrera.

“That certainly gives us a good feeling about the products.

“We are checking in the next few weeks and months for more feedback as the products have just recently been sent to all our clients.”

Eco-friendly packaging is an important part of the company’s overarching sustainability roadmap, and it has been a learning process to hit upon a solution that meets Loacker’s standards for quality and durability.

“The change to the paper format has been a big challenge for us and we are still in the early days,” said Cabrera.

“During the process, we had to test a few materials to get the final result, due to our products being transported worldwide.

“The paper is a more delicate format than the previous material.”

The company is utilising the knowledge it has gained so far to power its journey in this area.

“We will continue down this road,” said Cabrera.

“In 2023, we will be able to launch other formats more in that direction.”

In terms of the strategy moving forward, Loacker is making the most of being a relatively ‘fresh’ face on the travel retail scene.

“We have a chance to grow in all areas as we are basically a newcomer in many markets,” said Cabrera.

“We have the chance to arrive into these new markets and show the quality of our range of wafers, sweet biscuits and cookies.”

Loacker is well positioned to capitalise on consumer appetite for more mindful snacking with its ‘mindful indulgence’ pillar (products that have a ‘light, natural taste’ and demonstrate responsibility across the product life cycle).

“Snacking has a bright future in our channel, we have a wide range of articles that fits perfectly into that segment,” said Cabrera.

“We need just to check what is the best timing to roll it out. But we are definitely trying our range with some clients.”

More products in Loacker’s duty free collection include Rose of the Dolomites Mix 150g (containing individually wrapped pralines); the Gran Pasticceria Gable 200g boxes (with 24 individually wrapped wafers) in Crème Noisette and Coconut; and the Best OF Moments pouch bag (featuring up to 12 different products from the Loacker range).