What Makes a Snap a Packaging Icon?

As early as 1932, Clara Ritter, who founded the company together with Alfred Eugen Ritter, came up with the idea behind what would later become the Knick-Pack. However, it was not until the 1970s that the concept truly captured the spirit of the times. As people became increasingly mobile, there was growing demand for a chocolate bar that could fit into any jacket pocket without breaking. The packaging innovation met exactly that need. The advertising slogan of the day summed it up perfectly: “The trick with the snap and the pocket-friendly wrap.”

While the Knick-Pack has changed little on the outside, its material has evolved considerably. Since 1991, Ritter Sport has been using a recyclable mono-material polypropylene film. Looking ahead, the company is working on packaging solutions based on renewable raw materials. However, when it comes to chocolate, product protection remains the top priority. According to Ritter Sport, some varieties still pose challenges for paper-based packaging, so development efforts continue.

And then there is the ultimate question: What is the right way to open a Ritter Sport bar? Most chocolate lovers give it a confident snap right down the middle. Others carefully peel the wrapper apart along the fold. After 50 years of the Knick-Pack, one thing seems certain: there is more than one way to get to the chocolate.