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Watch ThePackHub’s latest webinar   Tomorrow – Book on our next webinar Tuesday 16th February 2021 at 3 pm GMT FREE one hour webinar. Catch up on the latest packaging innovations. Join us as we also explore the latest findings of Essentra Tape’s consumer survey on packaging functionality. We will be joined by Ian Beresford, Head of Marketing & Development at Essentra Tapes. Hosted by Paul Jenkins, Managing Director and Barrington Pamplin, Technical Director at ThePackHub. Feel free to share with your colleagues. Register for free: Tuesday 16th February 2021 at 3 pm GMT Book your free place now. Book on our other webinars here.

Please forward to your friends and colleagues to stay up to date with the latest packaging innovation news.  They can click here to subscribe.

#1 Refillable antiperspirant cases start roll out

In an effort to help reduce plastic waste, P&G’s Secret and Old Spice brands are launching a new packaging format with refillable cases. The cases are manufactured using no single-use plastic and include a refill made using 100% FSC certified paperboard packaging. Old Spice and Secret were the first major brands to introduce all-paper deodorant initiatives last year. See Refillable deodorant goes mainstream with US launch. Following the success of that limited-edition pilot, both brands are expanding nationwide with an aluminium-free deodorant formula. It incorporates a push-pop design. The paper tubes are fully recyclable. Consumers can crush the empty paperboard and place the packaging into their recycling bin. The Old Spice and Secret refillable antiperspirants are available in select US stores nationwide as well as online via Walmart, Target, CVS and Walgreens. The solution has been priced for the mass market and is said to be the first refillable antiperspirant from a major brand.

#2 New format makes hand sanitizers on-the-go easy and user-friendly

Procter & Gamble razor brand Gillette, the biggest in male grooming, has intensified its sustainability drive with the introduction of new recyclable packaging across its core range. The research-influenced move to recyclable paper-based materials has also been designed to deter shoplifters in that the top of the pack is very difficult to rip off. The move to cardboard packaging is anticipated to eliminate more than 66 tonnes of plastic per annum. The fully recyclable new packs are made using responsibly sourced paper. The change from plastic packaging comes after P&G shopper research found that recyclable packaging was one of the most important determinants in the decision to purchase bathroom products for the majority (55%) of respondents. The move is part of Gillette’s broader sustainability commitment to use fewer resources by the year 2030 across functions. The lineup had also been simplified reducing 11 lines to down to eight.

More info in The Innovation Zone.

#4 Recyclable barrier paper range cuts plastic use

For multinational packaging and paper group Mondi, sustainability is at the centre of its strategy. As part of this drive, the business has successfully developed a new recyclable functional barrier paper range. The AegisPapers solution can run on existing filling lines for form-fill-and-seal applications. Mondi anticipates that AegisPapers can replace plastic use across many applications due to its wealth of viable mechanical properties such as puncture resistance, printability and excellent barrier protection. The coatings technologies implemented create custom barriers against grease and water vapour and ensure sealability. The new solution will see its first airing for a European dry pasta brand that will see a reduction in the use of plastic by 90% as well as save 7.5 tonnes of plastic film per year for just one of the products in its range.  The initiative sees Mondi’s adage ‘paper where possible, plastic when useful,’ become a reality and is seen as a breakthrough for the next generation of sustainable packaging solutions. The AegisPapers range is suitable for many packaging applications across dry and frozen food, pet food, confectionery, toy, e-commerce, flower packaging and DIY industries as well as various secondary packaging applications.

More info in The Innovation Zone.

Watch our latest ThePackhub Expert Interview

Peggy Cross discusses EcoTensil’s range of utensils that are the ideal alternative to disposable plastic cutlery. You can watch here. 

Packaging question of the week

Does biodegradable packaging encourage littering?  Vote and comment now. 

Last time: 35% feel they get enough information about the latest packaging innovations from the market.

Please visit ThePackHub or call us on +44(0)118 963 9990 to find out more about the range of packaging innovation services we offer. We’ve delivered projects for a number of brand owner, retailer and packaging suppliers.

Until next time. Happy innovating.

Watch ThePackHub’s latest webinar   Book on our next webinar Tuesday 16th February 2021 at 3 pm GMT FREE one hour webinar. Catch up on the latest packaging innovations. Join us as we also explore the latest findings of Essentra Tape’s consumer survey on packaging functionality. We will be joined by Ian Beresford, Head of Marketing & Development at Essentra Tapes. Hosted by Paul Jenkins, Managing Director and Barrington Pamplin, Technical Director at ThePackHub. Feel free to share with your colleagues. Register for free: Tuesday 16th February 2021 at 3 pm GMT Book your free place now. Book on our other webinars here.

Please forward to your friends and colleagues to stay up to date with the latest packaging innovation news.  They can click here to subscribe.

#1Bread bag incorporates oat hulls from milling process

Fazer is one of the largest businesses in the Finnish food industry. Founded in 1891, it now employs over 10,000 people. The business has been on the sustainable packaging development trail with the introduction of a bread bag made partially from oat hulls derived from the oat milling process. This unique packaging innovation was years in the making working with Tampere University of Applied Sciences, the Natural Resources Institute Finland and Design Forum Finland’s HerääPahvi! project. The new material is 25% oat hulls, and the pack can be recycled as cardboard. The oat hulls used come from Fazer’s Lahti-based oat mill. The bag is resistant to vapour in to help protect the contents. 11 versions were developed to create the final oat-hull paper suitable for food contact. Fazer’s bakeries will start baking their new Leipurin Kaurainen bread to be packed in the new oat-hull bags.

#2 Hidden barcodes printed with magnetic ink open up smart opportunities

The Packadore Collective has been busy since their inception creating several eye-catching packaging initiatives that solve consumer challenges or reduce the environment impact of the product. They have already announced some other innovative packaging concepts in the market. The collaboration that includes SGK Anthem, Vrijdag Premium Printing, Generous Minds, Neurensics, Kurz, Merck and Haval have this time created a conceptual design innovation for packaging closures. Glass jars and bottles are conventionally sealed with a metal closure with a plastic liner for sealing. The use of a combination of materials often means that the components are not recycled. Many products such as trigger spray bottles, jam jars and ketchup bottles all use the same or very similar closures across multiple different brands. The Packadore Collective see an opportunity for multiple brands to share these packaging components. ‘Cap Off’ is their answer that has been designed to encourage reuse. The plan would be for packaging in-store to be sold with a top seal with various reusable cap designs sold separately. The solution would help maintain the value of the reusable lids for longer and could incorporate additional value-added functionality because they will be used more than once. It would also increase the recyclability of the core packaging.

More info in The Innovation Zone.

#4 German chocolate bar launched in paper-based packaging

Mars Wrigley has a goal is to make all packaging reusable, recyclable and compostable by 2025 as well as to reduce the consumption of new plastic by 25%. The sixth largest privately held company in the United States has announced the introduction of a paper-based pack for their Balisto chocolate bar for the German market. This the first time Mars Wrigley is offering a chocolate biscuit bar in paper. The paper-based pack will be introduced as part of a collaboration with German retail partner EDEKA Minden-Hannover, which will be available in more than 500 outlets. The confectionery market is experimenting with paper-based solutions as part of a wider shift from the industry in making plastic-reduced environmental improvements. More than 90% of the packaging of the 100,000 multipacks is made of paper and sees a reduction in the use of packaging plastic by around 440 kilograms.  The new packaging system needed to deliver in terms of maintaining product taste and quality as well as protecting it from contamination and moisture. The packaging developed for Mars is more than 90% natural fibres and is FSC and PEFC certified. A thin barrier coating protects the chocolate. Lessons learned from the pilot will feed into the future design of the packaging for the Mars chocolate bar portfolio.

More info in The Innovation Zone.

Watch our latest ThePackhub Expert Interview

Peggy Cross discusses EcoTensil’s range of utensils that are the ideal alternative to disposable plastic cutlery. You can watch here. 

Packaging question of the week

Do you feel you get enough information from the market about the latest packaging innovations?  Vote and comment now. 

Last time: A real close one! 298 total votes. 51% think paper bottles have a future as a beverage packaging material.

Please visit ThePackHub or call us on +44(0)118 963 9990 to find out more about the range of packaging innovation services we offer. We’ve delivered projects for a number of brand owner, retailer and packaging suppliers.

Until next time. Happy innovating.

Watch ThePackHub’s latest webinar Book on our next webinar Thursday 4th February 2021 at 3 pm GMT FREE one hour webinar. Catch up on the latest sustainable packaging innovation trends with this whistle-stop tour of the latest initiatives. We will cover many recent in-market and developmental examples to inspire you and keep you up to speed. We will also be joined by Charpak who will be discussing their latest innovations. Hosted by Paul Jenkins, Managing Director of ThePackHub. Feel free to share with your colleagues. Register for free: Thursday 4th February 2021 at 3 pm GMT Book your free place now. Book on our other webinars here.

Please forward to your friends and colleagues to stay up to date with the latest packaging innovation news.  They can click here to subscribe.

#1 Points-based rewards encourages return of rentable cosmetics packaging

Beauty and wellness brand Ace of Air is launching a new sustainable packaging model. The reusable system is a step forward from the recycling of jars and bottles through the introduction of “rentable” packaging. The process aims to gamify the consumer experience and encourage compliance via an engaging points system that rewards consumers who ship their empty packaging back. Points are also awarded for other environmentally-focused deeds by the consumer. The Stellar Rewards scheme helps three partner charities who can receive “Planet Points” gifted to them by consumers. A durable Boomerang Box shipper has been designed and developed to be reused more than 100 times and has a $3 rental fee. The Ace of Air products are packaged in zero-waste, refilled containers that are effectively borrowed by the user and feature a $2 rental fee for each item.  Ace of Air has partnered with UPS to help design and develop the most efficient and durable reused shipper to create a carbon-neutral solution as part of UPS’s ongoing carbon reduction program.

#2 Worldwide rollout of paper packaging across global confectionery brand

McDonald’s have announced the debut of a new material for their reusable food trays. It is made mainly from food waste combined with other rubbish. The largest independent McDonald’s franchise in the world, Arcos Dorados, is planning on rolling out thousands of the new trays across Latin America and the Caribbean as a method to reduce the impact of virgin plastic. The UBQ material is recycled from a mix of substances. This includes unsorted household waste destined for landfill such as food leftovers. Also included are cardboard and paper waste, diapers and mixed plastics. Any glass or metal is removed and redistributed to their waste streams for recycling.  The Israel-based UBQ company produces the material that prevents the waste ending up in landfill. This stops the emission of greenhouse gases giving the material a climate positive footprint.  UBQ complements existing recycling processes by taking residual waste that is en route to landfill or incineration. The initiative has seen more than 7,000 trays introduced to Brazilian McDonald’s restaurants with plans to expand usage throughout the country. When the reusable trays finally wear out, they can be recycled.

More info in The Innovation Zone.

#4 Range of full-wood closure systems for fragrance packs launched

International manufacturer of packaging for beauty brand owners and contract fillers, Quadpack has introduced a full-wood family of closure systems. The range of three designs is claimed to be a world-first. The Barcelona-based business has introduced their patented Woodacity range of closure systems for fragrance packs. Each cap is created from a single piece of sustainably-sourced wood and the aesthetic qualities of wood is hoped to bring a natural look to the fragrance market. The designs preclude the need for a plastic insert to reduce their environmental impact. The wood is a fully-functional component and gives the same functional properties and stability as plastic. The caps incorporate a unique internal structure. Three designs are available: Solo Snap has a patented snap-on cap, with interior ribs to deliver a secure ‘click’ closure. Solo Push is a friction fit cap, that closes the pack with a smooth push gesture. Finally, Solo Turn is a thread cap with a screw closure. More variants are currently under development.

More info in The Innovation Zone.

Watch our latest ThePackhub Expert Interview

Peggy Cross discusses EcoTensil’s range of utensils that are the ideal alternative to disposable plastic cutlery. You can watch here. 

Packaging question of the week

Do you think paper bottles have a future as a beverage packaging material?  Vote and comment now. 

Last time: 74% thought that the Plastic Pact creates too much emphasis on reducing/eradicating plastic at the expense of other environmental issues.

Please visit ThePackHub or call us on +44(0)118 963 9990 to find out more about the range of packaging innovation services we offer. We’ve delivered projects for a number of brand owner, retailer and packaging suppliers.

Until next time. Happy innovating.

Everything you need to know the global packaging trends and more! ThePackHub’s Global Packaging Trends Compendium 2021 will be packed with vital trend information, analysis and insight from a world perspective. Find out which brands, retailers and suppliers are bringing packaging innovations to market.

Watch ThePackHub’s latest webinar Book on our next webinar Thursday 4th February 2021 at 3 pm GMT FREE one hour webinar. Catch up on the latest sustainable packaging innovation trends with this whistle-stop tour of the latest initiatives. We will cover many recent in-market and developmental examples to inspire you and keep you up to speed. We will also be joined by Charpak who will be discussing their latest innovations. Hosted by Paul Jenkins, Managing Director of ThePackHub. Feel free to share with your colleagues. Register for free: Thursday 4th February 2021 at 3 pm GMT Book your free place now. Book on our other webinars here.

Please forward to your friends and colleagues to stay up to date with the latest packaging innovation news.  They can click here to subscribe.

#1 Temperature-sensitive label uses touch to determine juice expiration

A new temperature-sensitive label has made further developments in the pursuit of reducing food waste. The Mimica Touch solution is an indicator that aims to provide more accurate expiration guidance. The business estimates that the addition of just two days of shelf life could result in 50% less retail and 63% less home waste. Existing expiry dates are calculated based on a “worst-case scenario”.  Mimica Touch comprises a bumpy plastic base with a film layer that encases the gel in the middle. The gel reacts at the same rate that food spoils and starts to liquefy to create bumps. A bumpy label means that the food is spoiled. The development team added a flat comparison area so that consumer could tell what the bumps should feel like. The first product that Mimica will be trialling will be used on juice bottles. The focus will be on the waste from bottles included in meal deals and bigger packs that a family might use over a few days. The label will be integrated with a consumer-activated cap in order to ascertain when the bottles have been opened.  The vision is to be the global mark for freshness on all type of perishable products.

#2 Patented bag makes changing gear oil easier and less wasteful

Unilever has a global packaging commitment to halve the company’s use of virgin plastic, as well as to ensure all its packaging is reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025. As part of this vision, its eponymous Ben & Jerry’s ice cream brand is set to undergo a sustainable packaging overhaul. A new on-stick version of Ben & Jerry’s Cookie Dough flavour is being introduced to facilitate eating on the go. The ice cream variant is being sold in a new recyclable, paper-based wrapper format as a replacement for a plastic-based format. Unilever describes the pack as a “first of its kind tie-dye wrapper”. The wrapper is made with 88% paper and is widely recyclable. In another environmentally-driven move, Ben & Jerry’s tubs now contain 40% less plastic than was previously used, and the plastic that is used is now apparently made from a renewable plant source. See also Fully recyclable ice cream packaging makes UK launch.

More info in The Innovation Zone.

#4 Closed-loop, zero-waste delivery service has next day empties collection

Good Club is a UK online retail business that specialises in the sourcing of sustainable food products. The retailer claims to have the world’s biggest range of sustainable zero-waste staples. Thee members-only online business is moving towards a more circular economy model. It is to introduce a new “zero-waste” delivery service that sees packaging empties collected the next day. More than 70 products (expandable to 150) will be made available in the new range delivered in reusable and returnable packaging. The process sees the customer decant their products into their own containers. They leave the empties out for collection the following day. Items such as nuts, oats, seeds, grains, pasta and rice will be available for this new method. Good Club washes and refills the empties for the whole cycle to start again. It is claimed that Good Club will be the first retailer to offer a next-day collection of empties.  The items are packed in BPA-free plastic jars that arrive in a plastic tote. Empties are left in the tote on the customer’s doorstep or can be dropped off at Hermes ParcelShops.The delivery crates can also be reused indefinitely. The process differs from the Loop reusable packaging scheme with consumers decanting the containers rather than using them to store the products. This means that the reusable packaging spends less time in consumer’s homes increasing the number of times the containers will be used.

Watch our latest ThePackhub Expert Interview

Peggy Cross discusses EcoTensil’s range of utensils that are the ideal alternative to disposable plastic cutlery. You can watch here. 

Packaging question of the week

Will the majority of companies meet their Plastic Pact goal of 100% reusable, recyclable or compostable plastic packaging by 2025?  Vote and comment now. 

Last time: 95% thought that brands, retailers and suppliers should share more information about Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) when announcing new packaging innovations.

Please visit ThePackHub or call us on +44(0)118 963 9990 to find out more about the range of packaging innovation services we offer. We’ve delivered projects for a number of brand owner, retailer and packaging suppliers.

Until next time. Happy innovating.