Doypack, Jar or Stick Pack: Which Packaging for a Powder Supplement?

What is a doypack?

A doypack is a flexible pouch with a gusseted base, also called a stand-up pouch. Once filled, the base gusset opens out and the pouch stands upright on a shelf or a kitchen worktop. The name comes from a trademark registered by the French company Thimonnier, which developed the format in the early 1960s.

For a powder supplement, a doypack combines three elements: a multilayer film that protects the product, a zip closure so it can be resealed after each serving, and a large printable surface for the brand. Some brands add a clear window to show the colour of the powder, at the cost of lower light protection on that area.

What packaging must protect against: moisture, oxygen, light

A powder supplement fears moisture first. Creatine, electrolytes, plant extracts and sweetened powders absorb water from the air: they clump, form lumps and become hard to measure. Oxygen degrades some vitamins, flavours and fats. Light breaks down photosensitive actives.

The level of protection of a doypack therefore depends on the laminate chosen. A structure with an aluminium or metallised layer gives a high barrier. Mono-material films in polyethylene or polypropylene with a barrier coating are gaining ground because they are easier to recycle. A rigid jar protects well when closed, but every opening refreshes the air over the whole surface of the powder. In every case, stability studies validate the formula and packaging pairing and set a realistic best-before date.

Supplement doypack: why it is the most economical format

For the same fill, a doypack is more economical than a jar to buy, ship and store. That is Irati Production’s position, and the reasons are simple. A flexible pouch uses less material than a rigid container and its lid. Empty doypacks are delivered flat, while a pallet of empty jars mostly carries air. Once filled, they weigh less and fit shipping boxes better, which lowers e-commerce shipping costs and saves warehouse space.

A doypack also offers a continuous print surface on both faces, with no label to apply. That is an asset for a young brand that wants strong branding on a controlled budget. To learn more about this format, see our page on doypack packaging.

The jar: rigidity, measuring scoop and premium codes

The jar still has strong arguments. It is rigid, easy to handle, holds a measuring scoop and stays stable once opened. In pharmacies and gyms, it signals a serious product. It is often chosen for creatine, collagen or protein when the brand targets a premium position or physical retail.

Its logistics cost is higher: bulky empty containers, more weight, larger cartons. The same formula can, however, be sold in a jar in store and in a doypack online or as a refill. Irati Production runs 2 jar filling lines and 2 doypack lines in Saumur, so a powder supplement can be offered in both formats.

The stick pack: the exact dose, anywhere

A stick pack is a slim tubular sachet holding a single serving. Consumers no longer need to measure with a scoop: they pour the contents into a bottle, a shaker or a glass. The format suits on-the-go use (gym, office, travel) and works as a sales tool for discovery packs, gift boxes and samples handed out at trade shows or in store.

Each dose stays protected until opening, which limits moisture pick-up. On the other hand, the packaging cost per dose is higher than with a doypack, and sticks have to be grouped in a carton or box for sale. Irati Production packs stick packs 20, 30 or 40 mm wide and 60 to 160 mm long, which covers most powder doses. Details are on our stick pack manufacturing page.

Doypack, jar or stick pack: the comparison

PPWR and recyclability: what changes for powder packaging

Regulation (EU) 2025/40 on packaging and packaging waste (PPWR) has applied since 12 August 2026. Food-contact packaging must already meet PFAS limits and be covered by an EU declaration of conformity. In white label, the brand carries responsibility for that compliance.

The next steps bear directly on the choice between doypack, jar and stick pack. The regulation provides for harmonised sorting labels, then, from 2030, a recyclability requirement for packaging and a 50% cap on empty space in grouped, transport and e-commerce packaging. Multi-material pouches with an aluminium layer are hard to recycle: mono-material films are the route to explore for a new range. Mono-material plastic jars already have sorting streams. For stick packs, the focus is mainly on the film and on the size of the outer carton. The detailed obligations are in our PPWR guide for food supplements.

How to choose for your project

For a brand selling a daily powder mainly online, the doypack is the best balance of protection, image and cost. The jar makes sense when physical retail and premium codes come first. Stick packs complete the range for on-the-go use and trial. If you also need to decide for capsules, tablets or gummies, our general supplement packaging guide covers every format.