IBP NEWS
INVENTED FOR BETTER –
ENGINEERED FOR THE FUTURE
THIS YEAR, SIG CELEBRATES THE 70TH ANNIVERSARY
OF THE INVENTION OF BAG-IN-BOX, A GROUNDBREAKING
INNOVATION THAT HAS BECOME A CORE PART OF THE
COMPANY’S PACKAGING PORTFOLIO.

Originally developed in 1955 by
American chemist, William R. Scholle,
as a safer, less expensive, and more
convenient solution for transporting
and storing industrial liquids, bag-
in-box quickly gained traction across
multiple industries, particularly food
and beverage. Following the acquisition
4 of Scholle IPN in 2022, bag-in-box
has evolved into a fully integrated
packaging system offering for SIG.

SIG is the global leader in bag-in-box
production with manufacturing facilities
on five continents and delivering
integrated systems worldwide.

Together with a unique portfolio that
includes aseptic and chilled carton,
and spouted pouch solutions, SIG
has become a significant player in
global food and beverage packaging
across a wide range of categories,
channels, and use occasions.

Packaging Innovation Turned
Industry Standard
Decades of experience and a deep
industry understanding have turned
the bag-in-box innovation from 1955
into an integrated packaging system,
including films, fitments, and patented
INTERNATIONAL BOTTLER & PACKER | JUNE 2025



NEWS
filling equipment, for foodservice,
retail, and industrial applications.

Among others, the systems are used
for product categories like wine and
spirits, post-mix syrup, juice, dairy,
edible oil, beer, processed fruits, water,
and foodservice, as well as non-food
categories like paints and coatings,
cleaning chemicals, laundry care, and
agricultural chemicals.

The evolution of bag-in-box over
the years reflects changing consumer
habits and trends as well as industry
demands. And yet, the inventors of
bag-in-box were always one step
ahead in the evolution of the system.

In the 1950s, the company was the
first to attach moulded fitments to
bags, providing more efficient filling.

The 1960s saw the development of
automatic bag-in-box filling equipment
and packaging solutions for dairy and
wine. The company further expanded
its reach in the 1970s with the launch
of the first high-acid aseptic bags and
filling equipment for the processed food
industry, as well as the introduction of
bag-in-box packaging for dispensing
post-mix syrups in the beverage industry.

In the 1980s and 1990s, the company
pioneered low-acid aseptic-capable
bags for the dairy industry and
developed high-speed, continuous-
web filling equipment for bag-in-box
packaging. The 2000s marked another
step forward with the introduction of
specific barrier films for bag-in-box
water packaging and aseptic-capable
fillers for both low- and high-acid
products. The 2020s have been defined
by the development of recycle-ready
films for bag-in-box use and APR
(Association of Plastic Recyclers)
recognition for meeting the highest
criteria for recyclability according to
the APR Design® Guide for Plastics
Recyclability for its bag-in-box
packaging for water and beverages such
as post-mix syrup. The company also
innovated a range of connector fitments
that integrated seamlessly into food
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THIS YEAR WE CELEBRATE NOT ONLY THE 70TH ANNIVERSARY
OF BAG-IN-BOX, BUT ALSO THE MANY OPPORTUNITIES WE SEE
FOR THE FUTURE.

Samuel Sigrist, CEO of SIG
and beverage dispensers, drastically
improving foodservice operational KPIs
across the world.

Enhancing Efficiency and Flexibility
SIG’s bag-in-box solutions provide a
multitude of advantages for customers
across industries. Whether for foodservice,
retail, or industrial applications, the
packaging systems ensure product
integrity, efficient dispensing, and
operational flexibility. With proprietary
barrier materials that preserve food
quality and safety, SIG’s solutions ensure
product protection and convenience.

Samuel Sigrist, CEO of SIG, “We
are extremely proud to have such a
diverse and dynamic solution in our SIG
portfolio, as well as employees who are
passionate about our packaging systems.

Today’s SIG combines the expertise of so
many outstanding people who enable
us to grow and innovate. This year we
celebrate not only the 70th anniversary
of bag-in-box, but also the many
opportunities we see for the future.”
Based on the principle of “invented for
better – engineered for the future”, one of
SIG’s main focuses in bag-in-box solutions
is smart dispensing in the foodservice
industry. With its connector technology,
SIG enables customers around the
world to easily connect their products
to leading food and beverage dispensing
technologies. SIG’s sterile, closed-loop
dispensing systems minimise the risk
of product contamination and extend
product shelf life even after opening.

In addition, the system’s high evacuation
rates – up to 99% – reduce food waste
and improve cost efficiency.

With the recent launch of a recycle-
ready bag for water in a bulk packaging
format in Australia, SIG continues to
pioneer the industry toward circular
packaging solutions. Its SIG Terra
RecShield bag-in-box packaging
material eliminates aluminium from
bag-in-box packaging and replaced it
with a unique polymer composition,
making the complete packaging
recycle-ready. “Innovation never stops,” said Glenn
Wiechman, Vice President, Global
Business Line – Bag-in-Box at SIG.

“After 70 years as the pioneer in the
bag-in-box sector, we are setting the
course for an even more sustainable
future, reducing the carbon footprint
and working towards a circular
packaging system. Our bag-in-box
solutions are now used by millions of
consumers around the world as part of
their everyday lives. From packing fruit
and vegetables and hygienically serving
food in restaurants, schools, and
hospitals to celebrating with a glass of
wine or a delicious milkshake – we are
part of it with our unique solutions.”
As SIG celebrates this anniversary, it
remains committed to advancing bag-in-
box technology for the next generation,
ensuring sustainable, efficient, and high-
performance packaging solutions for
industries worldwide. Already now, bag-
in-box packaging has a high product-
to-package ratio, which means a high
amount of product can be packaged with
very little material. The ultimate goal
is to retain the inherent environmental
benefits of bag-in-box, like low material
use and carbon footprint, while making
every pack easy to recycle.

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