ALCA unveils aseptic spouted pouches with SIG’s in-line sterilization tech

USA – Latin American fruit processor ALCA has rolled out the world’s first products packed using SIG’s new aseptic spouted pouch system, which handles sterilization directly during filling. 

The SIG Prime 55 In-Line Aseptic technology skips the need for external pre-sterilization of pouches, cutting down on logistics steps and expenses for producers. 

According to company details, this setup processes up to 55 pouches per minute and manages fill volumes between 30ml and 500ml, making it suitable for small-batch runs in the fruit ingredients sector.

The debut comes at Anuga 2025, the major food and beverage trade show in Cologne, Germany, running from October 4 to 8. 

There, ALCA will showcase initial offerings: aseptic pouches of banana and MD2 pineapple purees, sealed with SIG’s CloverCap closure for easy dispensing. 

These items preserve key nutrients, flavors, and colors through aseptic filling, allowing shelf stability for up to 12 months without preservatives or cold chain reliance. 

ALCA, which runs three factories and ships to over 70 countries, supplies bulk tropical fruit components to baby food makers, beverage firms, and snack producers. 

The company now extends co-packing services with this in-line capability, starting as a proof-of-concept to gauge buyer response. 

Feedback from early trials will shape further product lines and client options. Each pouch carries the Clean Commit logo, linking to resources on how aseptic methods ensure safety and retain natural attributes over time.

In a statement, SIG’s president and general manager for the Americas, Ricardo Rodriguez, highlighted the system’s impact. 

He said the technology draws on decades of expertise in carton packaging to deliver food safety and operational efficiency in pouches, opening fresh avenues for customer expansion. 

ALCA executives added that the launch targets rising demand for convenient, nutrient-rich formats in health-focused markets.

Recent developments show aseptic innovations gaining ground in emerging regions, with Middle East firms testing similar pouch systems for date and citrus purees to cut import emissions by 20%, per regional trade data. 

Such advances support exporters like ALCA in meeting stricter eco-labeling rules while keeping costs in check, estimated savings of $0.05 per unit through streamlined sterilization. 

As global fruit processing hits US$150 billion annually in US$ terms, these tools enable smaller players to compete on quality and reach.

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