Flexible packaging for the rice sector.
The rice sector calls for packaging solutions able to preserve freshness, grain integrity and the organoleptic quality of the product throughout storage and distribution, while ensuring efficiency on production lines and the right shelf presentation.
Solutions for rice for cooking, artisanal rice, ready-to-serve rice and freeze-dried rice.
Vacuum packaging and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP).
Standard structures and recyclable mono-material solutions, developed by BEPACKS to deliver the same performance.
The rice sector calls for packaging solutions able to preserve the freshness and quality of the product, while ensuring efficiency on production lines and high protection from external agents.
Vacuum or modified atmosphere: two technologies, two different results
For bagged rice, the two reference technologies are vacuum packaging and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP). They are not equivalent: they produce a different result both in terms of preservation and of product presentation.
Vacuum: the air is removed from the pack, which is then hermetically sealed. Lower residual oxygen slows down oxidation and the growth of aerobic bacteria. The pack is compact, which makes storage and transport easier, but it slightly compresses the product.
Modified atmosphere (MAP): oxygen is replaced with a mixture of inert gases, typically nitrogen and carbon dioxide. This technique also acts on anaerobic microorganisms and on the microflora of the rice, and CO2 helps to keep moisture in the grains under control. Unlike vacuum, MAP leaves the product in its natural appearance, with whole grains and no compression: an aspect that matters for risotto rice or for premium items meant to stand out on the shelf.
Which technology is more suitable depends on the type of rice, the commercial positioning and the shelf-life targets: there is no single preference, it is a choice to be assessed item by item together with the technical department.
Specific solutions for every type of rice
BEPACKS offers structures differentiated according to the type of product, the sales channel and the required shelf life:
Rice for cooking (traditional, parboiled, wholegrain)
vacuum or MAP bags, three-side seal, gusseted or doypack with resealable zip for formats intended for portioned consumption
Artisanal and risotto rice (carnaroli, arborio, red rice, black rice)
MAP packaging, often combined with transparent windows, to showcase the whole grain on the shelf
Ready-to-serve rice (pre-cooked, ready risottos)
modified atmosphere or vacuum solutions, to be defined according to the cooking/regeneration process the product requires
Freeze-dried rice
dedicated high-barrier structure, to protect a particularly hygroscopic product (see materials section)
Specialties: double-wall vacuum pack
solution with a high aesthetic finish for premium items (see materials section)
Materials for vacuum and MAP: industry standards and BEPACKS mono-material solutions
For vacuum packaging of rice, the industry standard is a PA 15my + PE 110my laminate (thicknesses may vary slightly depending on the customer’s packaging machine). This structure is chosen for the rubberiness and elasticity of the film, which help prevent punctures: rice grains, with their sharp edges, can pierce the material with micro-perforations that would break the vacuum seal.
BEPACKS has developed an alternative mono-material solution, PE MDO + PE/EVOH/PE, able to offer mechanical and sealing performance comparable to traditional PA/PE, with the added benefit of mono-material recyclability.
For modified atmosphere (MAP) packaging, the industry standard is a PET 12my + PE/EVOH/PE 50my laminate. Here too BEPACKS offers a mono-material solution, PP + PP/EVOH/PP.
Specialties: double-wall vacuum pack.
Among its specialty solutions, BEPACKS offers a double-wall vacuum pack: a PA 15my + PE 110my film ensures the vacuum seal, combined with an outer printed PET applied on the front without adhesive. The result is a distinctive visual effect: the outer layer seems to “float” above the pack, almost as if applied afterwards, with the print remaining slightly wavy — a carefully crafted aesthetic finish for premium items.
Freeze-dried rice: a dedicated barrier.
Freeze-dried rice is a particularly hygroscopic product and requires a higher barrier than traditional rice. The industry standard is a PET + ALU + PE laminate. Here too BEPACKS has developed a mono-material solution, PP + metallised PP + PP, resistant to pasteurisation and sterilisation.
Reliable rice packaging along the entire supply chain
Rice is a dry product, sensitive to ambient humidity: packaging with an adequate moisture barrier prevents moisture absorption during storage, reducing the risk of mould and infestation. A light and oxygen barrier limits oxidation phenomena, which are particularly relevant for wholegrain rice or for varieties richer in natural oils.
• High puncture resistance, to withstand the sharp edges of rice grains and keep the vacuum seal airtight
• Mechanical strength suited to stacked storage and bag handling
• Consistent sealing quality, even on high-speed lines
• Compatibility with vacuum and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP)
Packaging that communicates quality and strengthens the brand
Packaging for rice must ensure a good shelf presentation, especially for risotto or premium items, where the appearance of the grain is part of the quality message.
• High-definition flexographic or rotogravure printing
• Optional transparent windows to show the grain
• Double-wall specialty solution for a premium aesthetic effect
• Format and material customisation according to the channel (retail, gourmet, export)
Every packaging solution is developed according to the brand’s positioning, the sales channel and the expectations of the end consumer. Would you like to see printing samples for your brand? Request a customised sample.
Why rice producers choose BEPACKS as their packaging partner
Solutions for vacuum and modified atmosphere, to be assessed according to the type of rice and its positioning
Standard materials and recyclable mono-materials with equivalent performance, for vacuum (PA/PE or mono-PE) and MAP (PET/PE-EVOH-PE or mono-PP)
Double-wall specialty solution for a distinctive aesthetic finish on premium items
Dedicated structure for freeze-dried rice, also available as a mono-material version resistant to pasteurisation and sterilisation
Flexible formats: three-side seal bags, gusseted bags, doypack with resealable zip
Process reliability on high-speed packaging lines
Let’s talk about your flexible packaging for rice!
If you are considering a new partner for your packaging or want to optimise the performance of your pack materials, we can start from a technical discussion based on your production and preservation needs. BEPACKS experts respond with concrete, tailored guidance, not with off-the-shelf solutions. Contact us now!
Frequently asked questions about flexible packaging for rice (FAQ)
Vacuum removes the air from the pack, reducing residual oxygen and producing a compact pack. Modified atmosphere (MAP) replaces oxygen with a mixture of nitrogen and carbon dioxide, also acting on anaerobic microorganisms and leaving the product in its natural appearance, without compression. The choice between the two depends on the type of rice, the required shelf life and how important shelf presentation is.
The industry standard is a PA 15my + PE 110my laminate, with thicknesses that may vary slightly depending on the packaging machine used. This structure is chosen for its rubberiness and elasticity, which help it resist the micro-perforations caused by the sharp edges of rice grains — even a minimal puncture would break the vacuum seal. BEPACKS also offers a recyclable mono-material solution, PE MDO + PE/EVOH/PE, with performance comparable to traditional PA/PE.
The industry standard is a PET 12my + PE/EVOH/PE 50my laminate. Here too BEPACKS has developed a recyclable mono-material solution, PP + PP/EVOH/PP.
It is a BEPACKS specialty solution that combines a PA 15my + PE 110my vacuum film with an outer printed PET, applied on the front without adhesive. The result is a distinctive visual effect, with the outer layer appearing to float above the pack and the print remaining slightly wavy: an aesthetic finish designed to enhance premium items.
Freeze-dried rice is highly hygroscopic and requires a high barrier: the industry standard is a PET + ALU + PE laminate. BEPACKS also offers a mono-material solution, PP + metallised PP + PP, resistant to pasteurisation and sterilisation.