A Bag-in-Box manufacturer is an industrial specialist in the production of packaging systems consisting of a hermetic multi-layer plastic pouch fitted with a tap, inserted into a protective cardboard box. The Bag-in-Box (BIB) has become the world's second wine packaging format after the glass bottle, thanks to its many advantages: wine preservation for up to 6 weeks after opening thanks to the air evacuation system, tap practicality, lightness for transport, and reduced cost that enables everyday wines to be offered at very accessible prices.
The Bag-in-Box is a technical and innovative product requiring perfect mastery of barrier materials to protect wine from oxygen and light. The multi-layer pouch, composed of several superimposed plastic films, must be impermeable to oxygen, mechanically resistant and food-contact compliant. The tap must be airtight when closed and provide a regular flow without contamination risk.
The Bag-in-Box was invented in 1955 by American William R. Scholle, who developed a plastic pouch system for storing battery acid. The wine application came later: in 1965, Australian Thomas Angove filed a patent for a Bag-in-Box destined for wine, initially without a tap. The version with a tap, more practical, was developed in the following years.
Australia and the Scandinavian countries were the first markets to massively adopt the Bag-in-Box for wine in the 1970s-1980s. In Sweden, the state monopoly system Systembolaget favoured BIB for everyday wines. In France, the BIB broke through in the 1980s-1990s, initially in large-scale retail for table wines.
Since the 2000s, the BIB has moved upmarket. Serious producers are offering their wines in 3 or 5-litre BIBs, and initiatives such as premium Bag-in-Box with superior quality wines and attractive designs are transforming the perception of this format. In France, BIB now represents over 30% of wine volumes sold.
The Bag-in-Box manufacturer manages industrial production combining two distinct components: the plastic pouch and the outer cardboard. The pouch is manufactured by coextrusion of several barrier plastic films (EVOH, nylon, polyethylene), then thermoformed, welded and fitted with the tap. The cardboard is cut, printed, folded and glued. The two components are assembled and shipped flat to the winegrower or bottler who fills the pouch at packaging time.
The oxygen barrier technology is at the heart of innovation in this sector. The shelf life of wine in a BIB after opening (up to 6 weeks) and before opening (6 to 12 months depending on manufacturer) depends directly on the quality of the barrier materials used. Manufacturers continuously invest in R&D to improve the barrier properties of their films and extend preservation.
Sustainability and eco-design have become major strategic priorities. Manufacturers are developing recyclable plastic pouches, cartons made from FSC-certified fibres, and reducing film thicknesses to decrease plastic material quantity. The carbon footprint comparison of BIB versus glass bottle is a powerful commercial argument: BIB generates on average 3 to 5 times less CO2 per litre of packaged wine.
According to data from FranceAgriMer and the ANIA:
Over 30% of wine volumes sold in France are in BIB — FranceAgriMer, 2022
Over 1.5 billion litres of wine packaged in BIB in France each year — FranceAgriMer
The 3-litre format is the best-selling in France, equivalent to 4 bottles
Sweden packages over 50% of its wines in BIB — Systembolaget
The global BIB market for beverages is estimated at over 3 billion euros — Smithers, 2022
Standard 3-litre BIB — best-selling format in France, table and regional wines, large retail
5-litre BIB — family format, institutional catering, CHR, very competitive price per litre
10-litre professional BIB — catering and bulk sales, economical format for on-trade
Premium design BIB — superior quality wines, refined packaging, targets urban 25-40-year-olds
Certified organic BIB — organic wines in BIB, eco-responsible packaging, fast-growing market
Fresh rose and white wine BIB — specific summer and aperitif formats, bottom tap, refrigerator storage
1.5-litre individual BIB — nomadic and festive format, picnics, outdoor events
Fruit juice and soft drink BIB — application to non-alcoholic beverages, complementary market
Single-material recyclable BIB — recyclable polyethylene pouch and tap, advanced eco-design
Olive oil and condiment BIB — extension to premium food products, same technology
BIB faces an image evolution. Long associated with cheap table wines, it is inexorably moving upmarket. Renowned wine cooperatives, independent winegrowers and even some Bordeaux châteaux now offer their wines in premium BIB, profoundly modifying the perception of the format. This premiumisation is the main commercial challenge for BIB manufacturers today.
The recyclability of plastic pouches is the BIB's great environmental challenge. The multi-layer pouch combining several different plastics is difficult to recycle with current systems. Manufacturers are investing heavily in developing single-material recyclable polyethylene pouches and adapted collection and recycling systems. European PPWR regulations will accelerate this transition.
Finally, the digitalisation of BIB packaging is an emerging trend. QR codes on the carton provide access to additional information on the wine, winegrower and pairing recipes. Some manufacturers are integrating freshness sensors into the tap to indicate remaining shelf life. These connected innovations bring BIB closer to the digital experience consumers expect.
Scholle IPN — Northlake, Illinois, USA
Liquibox — Richmond, Virginia, USA
Amcor Flexibles Wine — Zurich, Switzerland
DS Smith Wine BIB — London, UK
Vitop — Vimercate, Lombardy, Italy
Aran Group — Cesena, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
Smurfit Kappa BIB — Dublin, Ireland
Tetra Pak Wine — Lausanne, Switzerland
Rapak — Romsey, Hampshire, UK
FlexiBag GmbH — Cologne, Rhineland, Germany
VSA BIB Australia — McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia
BIB Wine SA — Stellenbosch, South Africa
VinBIB Sweden — Stockholm, Sweden
Pack Box — Bordeaux, Gironde, France
Bibtap — Lyon, Rhone, France
Vinibox — Bordeaux, Gironde, France
Bag in Box Premium France — Nimes, Gard, France
Emballage Vino — Montpellier, Herault, France
Packaging BIB Espana — Barcelona, Spain
BIB Pouches NZ — Auckland, New Zealand
BIB Wine Chile — Santiago, Chile
Egeplast BIB Films — Greven, Westphalia, Germany
Intergraf BIB — Brussels, Belgium
Seppic BIB Films — Paris, Ile-de-France, France
Scotland BIB Wine — Glasgow, Scotland, UK
VLA Bordeaux — Bordeaux, Gironde, France
Would you like your company to appear on this page? Listings are reserved for Pro Premium members of Wine BHM.
Join the selection of producers on the platform.
Join the network*Featured listings are reserved for Pro Premium members, subject to terms and conditions.
