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The Flex Can is a stand up pouch that looks, stacks, and stands like a can but is produced from flexible film on a vertical form fill seal (VFFS) machine. It is a variation of Rovema's Stabilo® four side seal package, formed and filled after being rotated 90 degrees to create welded top and bottom seals, a stable base, and full front and back panels for graphics.
Quick answer: A Flex Can is best suited for products that benefit from a premium, can-like profile, excellent shelf stability, stackability, and large printable panels. It generally runs slower and uses more film than a pillow bag, so the additional shelf presence must justify those trade-offs.
In this installment of our Brown Bag Blog series, we cover how the Flex Can is formed, where it outperforms other bag styles, where it falls short, and which products it fits best.
Why should you compare VFFS bag styles before choosing one?
The bag style you run affects your production speed, film usage, shelf presence, and secondary packaging efficiency. Bag styles are often chosen by default, but taking the time to explore the available VFFS bag style options can pay off throughout the life of a packaging line.
If you missed the earlier posts in this series, start with Block Bottom Bags and Gusseted Pillow Bags.
The blog posts in this series are a useful starting point. For a more in-depth analysis, explore the complete Rovema VFFS Bag Style Guide.
What is a Flex Can package?
The Flex Can is a variation of Rovema's Stabilo® package, or four side seal package, that gives the finished product an appearance closely resembling a can. It is created by forming and filling the Stabilo® package after rotating its construction 90 degrees, producing exceptional stand-up ability and shelf presence.
The Stabilo® itself is a Rovema invention. It uses a patented process to stabilize the vertical seal on each corner of the package. Rotating that construction 90 degrees turns the four side seal pouch into a flexible package with the profile of a can.
How is a Flex Can package designed?
The Flex Can uses the same patented corner-seal construction found in the Stabilo® package. The result is a package with excellent shelf presence and stackability, plus full front and back panels for branding and product graphics.
The design can also be customized with easy-open and reclosure features. When produced on the Rovema SBS VFFS machine, the Flex Can supports a variety of reclosure options, including a standing longitudinal seam that functions as a peel seam.
What are the advantages of a Flex Can package?
The Flex Can is produced from film but provides many of the characteristics associated with a rigid can. It stands upright, stacks cleanly, and presents large printable panels on the shelf. For brands moving away from rigid containers, it delivers a recognizable can-like experience with the material and freight advantages of flexible packaging.
The multilayer film and welded top and bottom Stabilo® seals provide excellent stand-up ability. The package is also highly customizable, with easy-open features, reclosure options, and an assortment of possible bag tops and shapes.
This combination of stability, shelf presence, and customizability makes the Flex Can a strong option for premium products that need to stand apart at retail.
What are the limitations of a Flex Can package?
The Flex Can generally runs slower than pillow bag styles, uses more film per package, and may require a more expensive film structure to maintain its shape. Whether those trade-offs are worthwhile depends on the value the can-like presentation brings to your product.
Consider these three factors when evaluating a Flex Can package:
| Selection factor | Flex Can consideration |
|---|---|
| Production speed | If maximum packaging speed is the priority, consider a pillow bag variation, which can generally run faster than a Flex Can package. |
| Film usage | A Flex Can requires more packaging material per unit than a pillow bag to achieve its stability and can-like profile. |
| Film structure and cost | A more expensive film structure may be needed to preserve the package's shape and premium shelf appearance. |
These are a few of the questions we encourage manufacturers to consider. Rovema can also provide more specific guidance based on your product, film, desired package, and production requirements.
What products are best suited for a Flex Can package?
Flex Can packages work well for premium, shelf-merchandised products where stand-up ability, stackability, and shelf presence justify the added film cost. Common applications include:
How does the Flex Can package fit within current market trends?
The Flex Can sits at the intersection of two packaging trends: the shift toward stand up pouches and the growth of shelf-ready packaging. A package that stands, stacks, and displays well supports both trends.
Like block bottom bags, Flex Can packages have excellent stand-up ability. They can be stacked on shelves, placed efficiently in shelf-ready cases, and removed easily by customers.
People shop with their eyes first. The Flex Can provides the stability, stackability, and printable surface area needed to give a product a strong presence at the moment of decision.
How can Rovema help you choose the right VFFS bag style?
Rovema helps manufacturers evaluate bag styles against their products, film requirements, production goals, and merchandising needs before committing to a package. The right choice should serve your operations, customers, and brand over the full life of the packaging line.
Whether you are considering a Flex Can, a gusseted pillow bag, a block bottom bag, or another VFFS bag style, Rovema can help you understand the production and package-quality trade-offs.
If you would like to learn more about producing Flex Can packages or investing in a Rovema VFFS machine capable of running these packages, request a budgetary quote.
