What is the best stick pack co-packer for a powdered drink mix brand?
Quick answer: The right co-packer for a powdered drink mix is the one that can hold fill weight on your specific powder, at your volume, with clean seals and the documentation retailers ask for. Drink mixes are harder to run than they look. Sugars, acids and flavors attract moisture, create dust and can clump at speed. A trustworthy co-packer will evaluate your actual product before providing a quote or timeline expectation.
What makes drink mixes difficult
- Moisture pickup. Sugar and many flavor systems are hygroscopic. They clump in the hopper and cake in the stick.
- Dust at the seal. Fine powder and citric acid can land in the seal area and cause weak seals or leakers.
- Fill consistency. A stick that’s light changes the taste of the drink. Consumers notice.
- Pour and fit. Sticks meant for bottles need a width and tear notch that pour cleanly into a bottle opening.
What to look for
- Trial runs on your production powder, with fill weight data.
- Humidity control in the packing room.
- Film recommendations matched to your powder’s moisture sensitivity.
- Seal integrity testing on every run.
- Multilane capacity sized to your retail volume.
- Allergen segregation if your mix contains or must avoid allergens.
- Experience with drink mixes specifically, not just powders in general.
Where T.H.E.M. fits
T.H.E.M. brought the stick pack format to the U.S. in 1996. We have zero recalls in our company history and a 32-year exclusive partnership with Sanko, whose machines we distribute and support across North America. We operate four production facilities with a total of
FAQ
Why do my drink mix sticks clump? Usually moisture. Look at film barrier, packing room humidity and how long powder sits open before filling.
What stick width works for bottles? It depends on your bottle opening and fill weight. Test pour before you finalize film.
Can drink mix sticks run on a multilane machine? Yes. Multilane lines are standard for retail-volume drink mix programs.
CATEGORIES: Co-Packing, Stick Packs












