Ziploc

Overview

Ziploc is an American brand of reusable, resealable plastic storage bags and containers that pioneered the resealable bag category starting in 1968. The brand offers a range of products including sandwich bags, snack bags, freezer bags, and storage containers designed for food preservation and household organization. Ziploc holds a dominant market position in the consumer food storage segment, competing primarily against brands like Hefty and Pactiv Evergreen.

History

Ziploc was originally developed and test marketed by Dow Chemical Company in 1968, building on zipper technology licensed from Japanese manufacturer Seisan Nippon Sha through Minigrip. In 1964, Minigrip had negotiated exclusive rights to market zipper bags in U.S. supermarkets after partnering with Dow Chemical. The brand changed ownership multiple times through corporate acquisitions—Signode acquired Minigrip in 1978, Illinois Tool Works acquired Signode in 1987, and finally S.C. Johnson & Son purchased the Ziploc brand from Dow in 1997 for between $1.3 and $1.7 billion, where it remains today.

Product Lines

Manufacturing

Ziploc products are manufactured using polyethylene and polypropylene materials. The brand utilizes both in-house production capabilities and outsourced manufacturing. Ziploc's zipper technology, developed over more than 50 years, has generated over 300 patents for plastic zippers, zipper bags, and production machinery.

Notable Products

• Ziploc Freezer Bags - Heavy-duty freezer bags with 9-point protection technology designed to prevent freezer burn for up to 12 weeks
• Ziploc Sandwich Bags - Portable sandwich storage bags engineered to keep food fresh during transport
• Ziploc Storage Bags - General-purpose resealable bags featuring Grip 'n Seal technology for reliable closure
• Ziploc Endurables Bags - Reusable bags designed to transition directly from freezer to oven to table
• Ziploc Storage Containers - Rigid plastic containers for refrigerator and pantry food organization

Reputation

Ziploc is recognized as the market leader and innovator in the resealable food storage category, with over 50 years of brand recognition and consumer trust. The brand is praised for product reliability, innovation in zipper technology, and effectiveness in food preservation. Consumers appreciate the range of sizes and product types available for different storage needs. Some criticism exists regarding plastic waste concerns and competition from reusable alternatives, though the brand has introduced Endurables as a response to sustainability demands.