Sempack France is a flexible packaging manufacturer developed by Semco, a Monaco-based company specialized in Rigid eco-responsible packaging. Sempack® is an innovative packaging, a mono-material flexible stand-up pouch, light and 100% recyclable. Based on the concept of the pastry bag, which can be completely customized and which can hold different kind of products (from very pasty, to liquids, gels or powders, etc.). This pouch can be used in various sectors such as food, Health & care, cosmetics, etc.
Interview with Audrey Clerc, Sales Manager at Sempack France.
Easy Engineering: What are the main areas of activity of the company?
Audrey Clerc: Sempack France is a positive impact industrial start-up specialized in eco-responsible packaging.
Labelled SOLAR impulse Efficient Solution in 2019 and 2022, Sempack France sells its products to professionals of the food, cosmetics, health care, household and industrial sectors.
After a 6-year investment in Research and Development to create new levers, Sempack France has managed to realize the perfect transfer from rigid to flexible combining the 3 axes of innovation : Product – Process – Material
These areas have enabled us to eco-design our patented pouch SEMPACK® but to also patent our high-tech processes (Alpha 10 and soon, Alpha 20 machines).
The 3 activities of Sempack France are:
- Selling empty packagings
- Selling or renting (under licence) our Sempack machines directly to our customer’s facilities in a FFS process
- Co-developing customized projects and help our customer in their transition towards responsible flexible packaging.
E.E: What’s the news about new products?
A.C: After a successful launch of our Sempack® range on the Professional Food market in 2020, we aim to expand our products to Cosmetic & Health care industries. A new 100ml Sempack travel size is also about to be launched.
Moreover, our R&D team is working hard on developing our flexible pouch with paper materials in order to reach the 80% of cellulose material required by some European countries in the paper recycling stream.
Finally, our new focus is to reach the Bulk market. That is why we are presenting a preview at Interpack Düsseldorf of our new range of flexible plastic or paper jars SemVrac®, ultra-light, and intended for bulk.
E.E: What are the ranges of products?
A.C: Sempack France company currently offers two product ranges:
Sempack® conical stand-up pouch, which is an original packaging designed to meet the requirements of various sectors such as cosmetics, hygiene and care, food, industry, detergents, etc. Sempack has the main asset of consuming less CO2 than a traditional packaging (ex: up to 70% less than plastic PET bottle).
It is also mono-material and therefore 100% recyclable in the rigid recycling stream. Finally, it also avoids waste by allowing the product to be used until the last drop and also by being ultra-compressible and light.
SemVrac®, which is also a flexible packaging, based on the Sempack® concept.
The company launched the design of this product in order to enhance consumer’s experience when purchasing cosmetic or food products in bulk. SemVrac® is offering reusable packaging, while providing an alternative to heavy weight, bulky or fragile current packaging on the market.
All our eco-designed products Sempack® or SemVrac® provide environmental benefits and all meet the 3Rs decree:
- Reduce
- Reuse
- Recycle
E.E: At what stage is the market where you are currently active?
A.C: Sempack® is already on the Professional food market since 2020 and will be launched on several famous food brands by the end of 2023, beginning of 2024.
It is also on test at many European Cosmetic/ Hygiene & Care brands.
E.E: What can you tell us about market trends?
A.C: The packaging market which has seen very little real innovation since the 1960s is suddenly facing a complete Revolution since the implementation of new European and worldwide environmental regulations (plastic reduction, ban on single-use plastic products, use of post-consumer plastic, etc.).
This creates a positive stimulation but can sometimes push some actors towards green-washing, which Sempack® strongly avoids since the beginning of its project by displaying a total transparency towards its customers on the benefits of its products (LCA figures in support)
E.E: What are the most innovative products marketed?
A.C: Our most innovative and disruptive product is the Sempack® pouch with its ecological assets : light, Anti-waste, recyclable, ergonomic, protective and 100% customizable in terms of volume, print design, neck, cap, material (full PE or full PP), touch (e.g. mate varnish).
This eco-responsible packaging with a considerable reduction of material, lighter than a doypack by 38% or a tube by 74%. As well as a better restitution rate, up to 99% of the content returned (little loss, fight against product waste) and ultra-compressible up to 83% volume reduction when the packaging is empty.
E.E: What estimations do you have for 2023?
A.C: Sempack’s goals for 2023 are firstly to open up to new customers in the hygiene, cosmetics etc sectors, as we are already well established in the food sector.
Secondly, we would like to accelerate the launch of our bulk range.
Finally, we would like to continue our co-development and Research & Development with large industrial groups on the implementation of eco-responsible materials (fiber, paper, biobased, recycled…)