no cans or jars

Retort - Autoclavable Pouches

What is a Retort Pouch?

A retort pouch is a sterilizable flexible pouch constructed of a thin, bonded film that can withstand processing a product inside at 250°F (120°C) for a minimum of 50 – 55 minutes. It is probably most familiar to the public for tuna fish in a pouch, one of the industry’s earlier adopters. IMPAK has retort pouch customers with standing orders of sufficient volume that we maintain inventory on these products on a regular basis. This includes flat pouches, stand up pouches, drum liners, and spout pouches.

Order Retort Pouches

Custom Pouches: Many pouches are produced to customer specifications with a choice of sizes, styles, and colors (including clear materials), printed and unprinted. For more information, provide the size, application, and quantity required to: inquiries@sorbentsystems.com

starkist and fancy feast retort pouches

Why is the Retort Pouch Revolutionary?

Many consumers may not be aware that some foods are uncooked when packaged and then cooked right in the sealed pouch. This revolutionary packaging process is called retorting and is the same process as autoclaving, which is the ability to heat and sterilize the packaging and contents. These methods are used in the food and non-food manufacturing industry to commercially sterilize instruments and components, or to cook product after it has been placed into its package. The retort pouch is filled with the product to be heated, is then hermetically sealed (airtight), and processed according to industry guidelines for time and temperature. Usually, this is a minimum of 50 minutes at 250°F. Retort bags are constructed from laminated plastics and thin metal foils, taking the place of traditional cylindrical metal cans or glass jars, and the flexible retort pouches are then processed in a heated pressure vessel.

retort pouches in a pot ready to be cooked

Commercial vs Home Retort

Retort food canning removes all the air from the container. Commercially, this is done by filling a large chamber with steam and then cooling the steam, creating a vacuum. Chamber vacuum sealers are an alternate way of creating the vacuum, though they do not heat the contents. The commercial version of the retort process also cooks the food in the pouches at the same time; home process will see the food cooked in a pressure cooker instead, much as if you were doing regular canning, except with the vacuumed pouch instead of a mason jar. Read more regulatory and safety information on acidified foods and low-acid hermetically sealed foods.

retort pouch packaging

Retort Pouch Production

The key to retort pouch production is high-quality lamination. The layers of plastic and thin foils create a barrier impervious to gases and moisture entering or exiting the packaging. IMPAK understands the technology and methodology required to bond the layers of a retort pouch together with a secure seal and a polished look. Our machines can produce retortable and autoclavable flexible packaging from small sizes to larger options. Retort pouches can include other design considerations such as having tooling available to create a dispenser tip, 55-gallon drum liners with integrated round bottoms, stand up pouches, and other custom shapes and fitments.

custom printed retort pouch

Standard Sizes, Custom Sizes, and Printing Available

IMPAK can create customer-specified retort pouch designs using our specially-engineered raw materials. We can produce retortable pouches from 1” x 3” to 30” x 68” and more, in styles that include stand up pouches, drum liners, spouted pouches, and unique shapes. Full custom printing is also available. Call now for more information about your product requirements.

Order Retort Pouches

Dimensions
(w x h)
Photo Part Number Description Color Thickness Material Order
2" x 5.5" O.D. Silver 3-Side Seal Mini Pouch DTP02PCA055 Dispenser Tip Pouch
Die-Cut
Material: PAKVF4PCA
Thickness: 4.0 mil
Tear Notch
5,000 bags/case
Silver
4.0 mils PAKVF4PCA 1 case: $405.00/ea

Quantity
2.375" x 3.375" O.D. Silver 3-Side Seal Mini Pouch 02375PCA03375RCTN 3-Side Seal Pouch
Tear Notch on Closed End
Material: PAKVF4PCA
Thickness: 4.0 mil
Rounded Corners
2,000 bags/case
Silver
on sale
4.0 mils PAKVF4PCA 100 - 400 bags: $0.259/bag
500 - 900 bags: $0.189/bag
1,000 - 1,900 bags: $0.159/bag

Quantity

1 case: $316.00
3+ cases: $182.00/case

Quantity
5.75" x 7.875" O.D. Gold Flat Retort Pouch 0575PCA45MG07875TNRC Flat Pouch with Rounded Corners
PMS 10121c
3-Side Seal
Tear Notch
1,000/case
Gold -
PMS 10121C
PAKVF45PCA 1 Case : $163.25/case
2 - 4 Cases: $150.80/case
5 - 10 Cases : $139.50/case
11 - 19 Cases : $124.60/case
20+ Cases : $96.20/case

Quantity
5.75" x 8.0" O.D. Gold Flat Retort Pouch 0575PCA54MG08TN Flat Pouch
Unprinted
3-Side Seal
Tear Notch
1,000/case
Gold 5.4 mils PAKVF54PCA 1 Case : $168.85/case
2 - 4 Cases: $154.90/case
5 - 10 Cases : $142.50/case
11 - 19 Cases : $129.60/case
20+ Cases : $98.60/case

Quantity
5.75" x 8.0" O.D. Gold Flat Retort Pouch 0575PCA54MG08TNP Flat Pouch
Printed
3-Side Seal
Tear Notch
1,000/case
Gold 5.4 mils PAKVF54PCA 1 Case : $168.85/case
2 - 4 Cases: $154.90/case
5 - 10 Cases : $142.50/case
11 - 19 Cases : $129.60/case
20+ Cases : $98.60/case

Quantity
5.75" x 5.75" O.D. Gold Flat Retort Pouch 0575PCA54MG0575TNUP Flat Pouch
Unprinted
3-Side Seal
Tear Notch
1,000/case
Gold 5.4 mils PAKVF54PCA 1 Case : $157.85/case
2 - 4 Cases: $143.40/case
5 - 10 Cases : $131.50/case
11 - 19 Cases : $120.50/case
20+ Cases : $93.10/case

Quantity
5.75" x 5.75" O.D. Gold Flat Retort Pouch 0575PCA54MG0575TNP Flat Pouch
Printed
3-Side Seal
Tear Notch
1,000/case
Gold 5.4 mils PAKVF54PCA 1 Case : $157.85/case
2 - 4 Cases: $143.40/case
5 - 10 Cases : $131.50/case
11 - 19 Cases : $120.50/case
20+ Cases : $93.10/case

Quantity
6.5" x 10.0" x 3.5" O.D. Silver Stand Up Pouch 065PCA10BG035 Stand Up Pouch
Two Tear Notches
Unprinted
Designated for Hot Fill, Retort and Autoclavable
1,000/case
Silver 4.0 mils PAKVF4PCA 1 Case : $351.60/case
2 - 4 Cases : $328.60/case
5+ Cases : $306.60/case

Quantity
6.68" x 7.5" x 3.0" O.D. Silver Stand Up Pouch 0668PCA075BG03TN2 Stand Up Pouch
Two Tear Notches
Unprinted
Designated for Hot Fill, Retort and Autoclavable
1,000/case
Silver 4.0 mils PAKVF4PCA 1 Case : $377.81/case
2 - 4 Cases : $346.04/case
5+ Cases : $314.93/case

Quantity
14" x 18" O.D. Silver Tamper Evident ZipSeal Bag 14RCPP18ZTE Tamper Evident ZipSeal Bag
Tear Notch
Unprinted
Designated for Hot Fill, Retort and Autoclavable
250/case
Silver 4.1 mils PAKVF4RCPP 1 Case : $687.50/case
2 - 4 Cases : $618.10/case
5 - 9 Cases : $412.50/case
10 - 19 Cases : $378.15/case
20+ Cases : $361.50/case

Quantity
8.5" x 11" x 4" O.D. 8.5 x 11 x 4 Clear Spout Pouch with 15mm Fitment and Handle SP64OZPCATRC SpoutPAK™ Stand Up Pouch
Fill Through Spout
Rounded Corners
15mm Cap
With Handle
64 fl. oz. (1,893 ml, 0.5 gal)
Suitable for Retort
250 bags/case
Clear - PAKVF4PCAT 1 Case: $249.20/case
2-4 Cases: $219.10/case
5+ Cases: $159.60/case

Quantity
12" x 13" x 6" O.D. 12 x 13 x 6 Clear Spout Pouch with 15mm Fitment and Handle SP128OZPCATRC SpoutPAK™ Stand Up Pouch
Fill Through Top
Rounded Corners
15mm Cap
With Handle
128 fl. oz. (3,785 ml, 1.0 gal)
Suitable for Retort
250 bags/case
Clear - PAKVF4PCAT 1 Case: $335.40/case
2-4 Cases: $319.40/case
5+ Cases: $299.10/case

Quantity
19.25" x 24.5" x 11" O.D. 19.25 x 24.5 x 11 MylarFoil Drum Liner DLPCA1925H245D11 MylarFoil Drum Liner
Rounded Flat Bottom
Suitable for Hot Fill, Retort and Autoclavable
10/case
Silver 4.0 mils PAKVF4PCA 1 Case : $68.65/case
2 - 4 Cases : $57.45/case
5 - 9 Cases : $52.37/case
10+ Cases : $45.84/case

Quantity
35.875" x 45" x 22.75" O.D. 35.875 x 45 x 22.75 MylarFoil Drum Liner RBPCAD2275H45 MylarFoil Drum Liner
Rounded Flat Bottom
Suitable for Hot Fill, Retort and Autoclavable
10/case
Silver 4.0 mils PAKVF4PCA 1 Case : $144.56/case
2 - 4 Cases : $140.41/case
5 - 9 Cases : $136.37/case
10+ Cases : $133.57/case

Quantity
38.75" x 54" x 23.25" O.D. 35.75 x 54 x 23.25 MylarFoil Drum Liner DLPCAD2325 MylarFoil Drum Liner
Rounded Flat Bottom
Suitable for Hot Fill, Retort and Autoclavable
10/case
Silver 4.0 mils PAKVF4PCA 1 Case : $141.50/case
2+ Cases : $136.50 /case
5+ Cases : $133.00/case
20+ Cases : $131.00/case

Quantity

RETORT TO THE RESCUE!

How is retorting and asceptic processing different than traditional industrial canning methods?

Retorting differs from traditional canning methods using metal cans or glass jars as it takes considerably less time to heat the contents to temperature. Retort pouches allow more surface area and even distribution of heat, rather than waiting for the contents to heat from the outside walls to the center through a cylinder.

Retorting technology’s goal is to produce ambient-temperature, shelf-stable, high-water activity, low-acid foods with higher quality than traditionally canned contents.

jars and pouches

Why Choose Retortable Packaging?

  • Cost Savings – contents do not have to be blanched or pre-cooked prior which reduces manufacturing and processing time and cost as well as reduced energy and water use
  • Material Handling – reduced packaged weight and dimensions eliminates heavy, bulky cans/jars during handling / waste easy to handle, ship, store, use and dispose of. Bulk waste is reduced, making clean up and disposal a fraction of the space and processing taken up by traditional cans, glass jars or semi-rigid thermoformed containers.
  • Convenient – Consumers find pouches easy to handle, store, and dispose of, as well as retort pouches are easy to open versus needing to puncture metal or require additional tools.
  • Safety – heating liquids in cans can produce dangerous pressure, and opening cans leave raw edges that are sharp, whereas retort pouches are easily and safely handled
  • Better branding – and consumer visibility with larger branding and labelling surface area and product placement
  • Quality - Foods cook safely and evenly, and since overcooking or uneven cooking of canned foods can be avoided.
  • Design Options - Retort packaging comes in multiple sizes and configurations shapes, printable surfaces, with various hanging or standing methods. Packages can be flat, oval, truncated, conical or almost anything that can be imagined and designed, whereas canned or bottled foods have obvious limitations. For more information on over 62 standard and special flexible film options.

What can Retort Pouches be used for commercially?

  • • Packaged foods
  • • Re-packaging foods for shelf-stable long-term storage
  • • Fully cooked ready-to-eat meals (MRE’s)
  • • Field Rations
  • • Camping, boating, hiking or backpacking rations
  • • Space program rations
  • • Fish products
  • • Pet foods or snacks
  • • Beverages
  • • Condiments
  • Emergency Preparedness - Using flexible packaging for your emergency supplies

Need more information? Call us now! We have a technical representative available on stand-by to answer your questions!

Contact Us

IMPAK Makes Millions

IMPAK Corporation has produced tens of millions of bags and pouches over the last 30+ years! If you have had issues with a product that has been a challenge in flexible packaging, such as subjecting the film structure to delamination, we are well-versed in combatting these types of challenges.

Stand Up Pouch

  • • Stand up Pouch with no zipper and two tear notches
  • • Designated for Hot Fill, Retort and Autoclave applications
  • • Suitable for food and pet food packaging as well as non-food products

Spout Tip Pouch

  • • Silver dispenser tip pouch with tear notch, Hot Fill and autoclave ready
  • • Can be custom printed for a professional, high-end look
  • • Suitable for food and pet food packaging as well as non-food products

55 Gallon Retort-Grade Drum Liners

  • • Integrated round bottoms
  • • Can be custom printed for a professional, high-end look
  • • Suitable for: foods, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, adhesives and more

Custom Shaped Pouches

  • • IMPAK is a leading innovator in the production of custom shaped bags
  • • Food-grade and FDA Approved materials
  • • Suitable for: oils, gels, liquids, pharmaceuticals, vitamins, and more
Have a Packaging Challenge?

IMPAK Offers Explosion Proof Sealers

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Custom Packaging

IMPAK produces custom printed pouches and packaging with an emphasis on materials with distinctive barrier properties to protect products from the adverse effects of moisture, oxygen, light and more. Learn about our unique custom capabilities.

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