There were over 16 billion stick packs produced in the year 2021, and the need for innovative and cost-effective packaging only continues to grow. In that same year, the powdered drink market was valued at over $78 billion. That means consumers from athletes to working professionals are continuing to make the switch to drink powders, and many drink powder businesses are also making the switch to stick packs.

Consumers value convenience as much as quality, which is why bulky plastic containers are seeing less use. Not only are they difficult to deal with and expensive to transport, but they’re not environmentally friendly, especially when compared to stick packs.

In a market that’s growing increasingly competitive, it’s important to find any advantage to get ahead of other drink powder manufacturers – and that’s where stick packs can help!

That doesn’t mean your company should immediately dive into the deep end by switching to stick packs, but it does warrant some research. This post goes into the reasons why so many drink powders are making the move to stick packs, and why you should think about doing the same.

We’ve already written about the business case for moving to stick packs, but now let’s take a detailed look at everything drink powder manufacturers need to consider when moving to stick packs.

Understanding Consumer Trends and Market Demand

Commuters and travelers alike want their drinks to be available at all times. On-the-go beverage options have never been more popular. From students trying to get a quick drink in between classes to professionals grabbing their drinks before heading to work, drink powders are becoming the go-to for millions of consumers.

The packaging their drink powders come in should reflect that demand for convenience and portability.

The Benefits of Stick Pack Portion Control & Branding

It might be a supplement that gives an athlete their nutrients; it might be coffee to give someone that much-needed boost. Single-serving stick packs not only allow those consumers to carry their beverage in a small pocket, but they also give the exact pre-measured portion they need to make the perfect drink.

Thanks to customization, they can also appeal to both the athlete and the working professional. Stick packs are more than a container, they can be an extension of your brand and help your drink powder product to stand out on store shelves.

When consumers see a variety of flavors they can try instead of just one, or a portable stick pack that can fit in any backpack or purse, they know your product was designed for their convenience. In grocery stores that only continue to get more crowded with popular products, stick packs can help you stand out from the pack.

Evaluating Product Compatability

How Powder Flowability Impacts Stick Pack Suitability

The flowability of a drink powder product will affect whether that product is suitable for stick packs. “Powder flowability” is exactly what it sounds like: it determines how well or easily a powder can “flow” as it’s poured. If your product is particularly clumpy, stick packs might not be the best containers. Consumers will find it difficult to shake out all of the powder, leading to messes or inaccurate portions. Thankfully, there are some solutions.

There are several anticaking agents available on the market to help with that flowability, like:

  • Calcium stearates
  • Silica and other silicates
  • Talc
  • Flour
  • Starch

By absorbing the tiny, minuscule amounts of moisture that can get into drink powders, these agents can improve flow and make almost every part of the process easier.

Manufacturing, transportation, and consumption can all be improved by using an anticaking agent that won’t impact taste.

How Stick Packs Help with Serving Sizes

Portions and serving sizes are important, especially considering that 85% of consumers say portions influence their food preparation choices. Unlike plastic containers, bottles, or tubs stick packs deliver the exact single-serving portion size that you want customers to experience.

That means consumers experience your product the way you want them to – with the exact portion the product needs. So when drink powders are combined with the right amount of water consumers get a perfectly-portioned drink without mess or measuring.

Manufacturing & Production Considerations for
Drink Powders and Stick Packs

The Importance of Choosing the Right Stick Pack Manufacturer

Finding the right co-packing partner is arguably just as important as making the move to stick packs. Just because a stick pack manufacturer is popular or successful doesn’t mean they’re right for your drink powder product. Some co-packers might not be suited for your industry; some co-packers might not have the capacity to meet your needs.

Here are a few things to consider when choosing a co-packer:

● Location

If the co-packer isn’t in your region, it could greatly increase shipping and manufacturer costs.

● Industry Experience

You don’t want to trust your precious product with a company that has little to no experience creating stick packs for drink powders.

● Certifications

Creating packaging for food and beverage products requires expertise and it requires certifications. Make sure your co-packing partner is qualified to do the job you hired them for.

● Production Capacity

If a co-packer can’t handle the level of business you require, you could be left with too much product and not enough packaging.

Last but not least, you need to think about cost.

Production Costs & Minimum Order Quantities (MOQs)

Research is key when making major decisions like choosing new packaging. Factor in just how many stick packs are going to be required for you to deliver the same level of product.

You also need to factor order capacity into your decision. Find a co-packer whose MOQs match the volume of stick packs you’ll need for an order. Don’t be forced into ordering too much packaging and don’t convince yourself that underordering is the smart choice either.

Scalability helps most businesses, but not when the cost far outweighs the benefits. Do your research first.

Stick Pack Packaging Design and Branding Adjustments

Labeling and Regulatory Compliance Benefits

Food and beverage compliance rules are strict, so make sure your co-packer is as aware of them as you are. Stick packs are small, but they can include all of the necessary health information drink powder products require.

How Stick Packs Improve Branding and Shelf Appeal

Retail shelves are some of the most expensive real estate there is. It doesn’t just take a great product to stand out, it takes great branding. Stick packs are small, but they’re also convenient and eye-catching, which are both ideal when trying to distinguish your product from the competition.

That also helps when ordering products online. Not only do stick packs help boost a brand, but their smaller size means consumers are more likely to try them as opposed to a bulky and expensive tub.

Stick Packs are a More Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Packaging Option

Consumers care about the environment. So much so that 75% of them state they care about the ways products impact the environment. Stick packs use much less material than a large plastic tub, which prevents tons of waste in the long term. They’re also compostable, meaning they won’t have the lengthy impact plastic alternatives will.
Make the choice that not only helps the environment but shows consumers that you care about eco-friendly options as much as they do.

Logistics and Distribution Challenges for Drink Powder Products

Shelf space is just as valuable as warehouse space. If a product takes up more space it literally impacts the profitability of that product – that’s another instance where stick packs can help.

Bulk purchases are convenient for consumers and manufacturers, but not when it’s one single product being sold. The bigger a product is the less likely it is to be featured on a retailer’s shelf. The same goes for your warehouse. Big plastic tubs require a lot of space, but that’s not the case for stick packs.

Not only can you fit more of them on retailer endcaps, but you can fit more of them in your warehouse. That smaller product size has a positive impact on shipping too.

Advantages of Retail and E-Commerce Shipping with Stick Packs

The smaller the product the cheaper is to ship. That’s not just a concern for manufacturers, that’s a concern for consumers and retailers too. Stick packs are much smaller and weigh far less than standard packaging, which means both you and online shoppers are paying much less to ship your products.

That’s also ideal for consumers who prefer to get large bundles. Many drink powder manufacturers offer subscription services that bundle different flavors or varieties. Well, users are far more likely to try those subscriptions when they can bundle multiple flavors, or packages, without a hefty shipping cost.

Marketing and Consumer Education

How Do You Introduce Stick Packs to an Existing Customer Base?

That’s a tough question, but the answer is relatively simple: you educate them. Just like you’re doing by reading this article, consumers need to know the exact benefits stick packs have before making the switch.

Consumers are picky and don’t always like major changes. If you expect them to just grin and bear it, they likely won’t be returning customers. That’s why being informative and straightforward about the benefits of stick packs is the right strategy. It can also help you reach new customers too.

How Stick Packs Help with Sampling and Promotions

Lastly, stick packs aren’t just a convenient packaging choice, they can also help you acquire new customers. Consumers are far more likely to give a new product or flavor a try if the cost isn’t steep. The same goes for sampling.

A small stick pack is an easy giveaway in a world where free offers or promotions are appreciated even more. It’s also a purchase that comes with far less risk. A drink powder that comes in a large plastic tub is a major purchase. If the consumer doesn’t like the product, they’re stuck with a large amount of it. Stick packs let the consumer try your product without a major commitment.

That being said, moving drink powder products to stick pack packaging is a major decision. It’s also one that T.H.E.M. can help with. Not only are we a trusted co-packing partner, but we’ve helped spread the word about the benefits of stick packs for years.

Reach out if you want to know even more ways stick packs can help boost your drink powder business.

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