In packaging circles, cucumber film and yoghurt packaging often serve as examples of controversial packaging. Let's stay with yogurt: according to CPS GfK, yogurt can increase its total sales in the first seven months of 2024 by 2.3% compared to the same period last year. In line with this, experts from Berndt+Partner Creality were commissioned by Lebensmittel Zeitung to examine common yogurt packaging and test its design, handling, presentation and materials used. Eleven products were tested. The overall winner was Landliebe yogurt from Müller in a molded pot – with an above-average performance in all categories.
“The product impresses with its simple but proven design, an unusual and unique shape and a choice of materials with good recyclability,” explains Christoph Waldau, CEO at Berndt+Partner.
Aesthetics and Recyclability
Nevertheless, the product category still has room for improvement in terms of design. The experts criticize that differences in the predominantly homogeneous shapes and packaging are mostly limited to the colouring, the design of the banderoles or the direct printing. The use of many intense colors makes the point of sale visually restless.
The design winner and third place in the overall ranking, Ziefer's organic yoghurt, which is only available in Austria, does better: each variety can be recognized by its individual pastel color. It is said that the product is clearly positioned visually thanks to its appealing aesthetics. Organic quality, regional origin and recyclability are communicated precisely.
Lobetal's organic yoghurt came fourth in the overall ranking and came top in the “Sustainability” category. According to the testers, the yogurt is offered in a directly printed polypropylene cup with a board of the same material. Without a band, the packaging is made entirely of mono-material, which significantly improves recyclability. Sustainability information can be found on the cup.
The Ehrmann Almighurt squeeze pouch does particularly well in terms of handling and presentation. This earned it first place in the “Performance” category and third place in the overall ranking. The squeezable stand-up pouch is the “most convincing packaging solution in our study and offers a particularly high level of product protection”, explains Waldau.
Even in a drop test, the packaging remains intact. The contents are easy to remove by lightly pressing or rolling. The testers were disappointed with the Sterzing Vipiteno jar and the yoghurt with a cardboard sleeve from Hemme Milch. Both were criticized for shortcomings in handling and product protection. The products are ranked tenth and eleventh.
Overall, B+P found that the majority of yoghurt packaging on the market already has seals and disposal instructions. The switch to mono-materials is increasingly being implemented. The experts recognize deficits in design, presentation at the point of sale and the design of secondary packaging.
