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ThePackHub Innovation Zone Snapshot

More information on our Innovation Zone packaging database – https://www.thepackhub.com/the-innovation-zone/

Watch our recent
Recyclable Plastic Packaging Webinar

We are delighted to also be joined by Dr. Elef Kassianidis, Sales Director, UK & Ireland of flexible packaging experts Hatzopoulos.

Hosted by Paul Jenkins, Managing Director and Barrington Pamplin, Technical Director of ThePackHub.

For any questions or enquiries about Elef Kassianidis of Hatzopolous’ presentation, you can contact him as follows:

kassianidis@hatzopoulos.co.uk
+44 (0) 7572 12 6964

Any questions about the innovations discussed or ThePackHub’s Innovation Zone, please contact paul.jenkins@thepackhub.com.

This week
Recyclable Plastic Packaging webinar

Hosted by Paul Jenkins, Managing Director and Barrington Pamplin, Technical Director of ThePackHub.

Book your free place here.

Innovation & Design Stage – Powered by ThePackHub

ThePackHub is delighted to help curate content for the Innovation & Design Stage at the upcoming Packaging Innovations at NEC on 25th & 26th May. The stage will host discussions and debates to uncover the latest trends and innovations in design and product packaging.

Get inspired by thought leaders and begin to shape your future packs with discussions such as innovations driven by the packaging tax, the refill/reuse revolution, the importance of trend scanning and much more!

ThePackHub will present four sessions consisting of keynote speakers and case studies from leading brand owners, retailers and FMCG companies.

We’ll keep you updated on speaker announcements over the next few weeks and we can’t wait!

You can register your free place here.

#1 Recyclable paper ketchup bottle prototype starts development

UK sustainable packaging creator Pulpex is developing an industry-first sustainable packaging solution with multinational food brand owner Kraft Heinz, for the latter’s world-famous Heinz brand of ketchup. The team-up has resulted in the early exploration of a prototype paper-based and recyclable ketchup bottle made from renewable resources of sustainably sourced wood pulp. The initiative would launch in an opaque bottle, breaking the traditional ketchup bottle packaging rules of transparency. The prototype is just one development in a range that is helping Kraft Heinz work towards their company goals of making all of their packaging globally recyclable, reusable or compostable by 2025. The company has previously introduced recyclable caps for its plastic squeezy sauce bottles, which contains 30% recycled content.

#2 NFC pack aids post-purchase engagement

Clinique Laboratories, the US manufacturer of high-end skincare, cosmetics, toiletries and fragrances, have recently launched a limited edition version of their Moisture Surge 100H moisturiser. It features an NFC (near field communication) chip on the base of the jar. By tapping the chip, consumers can access a range of digital content and services. The limited edition ‘More Than You Think’ pack enables consumers to “find out what dehydrators may be affecting their skin; get advice from Clinique’s experts; then share the experience with others. NFC technology is a set of communication protocols that enables communication between two electronic devices over a distance of 4 cm or less and is now commonly used for payment at supermarket checkouts. The Limited Edition Moisture Surge 100H Auto-Replenishing Hydrator retails at £39 ($48) for a 50ml jar.

More info in The Innovation Zone.

#3 Hybrid wood and corrugated board box offers weight advantages

The Spanish division of International Paper (IP) has developed a hybrid box solution that combines wood with corrugated board to offer a more sustainable and lightweight product. Instead of being made completely from wood, the conventional bottom previously made of wood fibre is replaced with a corrugated board base. By doing this, the company has managed to considerably reduce the weight of its boxes, thus improving and optimising the logistics processes of its customers with a lighter solution for transporting its products, while using a material with greater availability in the market. IP says that in Iberian Peninsula stocks of wood fibre have been limited for 12 months due to an increase in demand and the global shortage crisis. This situation has worsened, even more, hence the development of the hybrid box. The new box is available in multiple sizes and is specially designed for the transport of different fruit and vegetable products.

More info in The Innovation Zone.

#4 Paper-based child-proof detergent box delivers 40% carbon reduction

Packaging question of the week

The Big Plastic Count starts in the UK this week and runs for seven days. Would you participate if it took place in your country? Vote and comment on LinkedIn now. 

Last week, 40% think that the biggest brands are most to blame for packaging waste.

ThePackHub Innovation Zone Snapshot

More information on our Innovation Zone packaging database – https://www.thepackhub.com/the-innovation-zone/

Watch last week’s
Recyclable Plastic Packaging Webinar

We are delighted to also be joined by Dr. Elef Kassianidis, Sales Director, UK & Ireland of flexible packaging experts Hatzopoulos.

Hosted by Paul Jenkins, Managing Director and Barrington Pamplin, Technical Director of ThePackHub.

For any questions or enquiries about Elef Kassianidis of Hatzopolous’ presentation, you can contact him as follows:

kassianidis@hatzopoulos.co.uk
+44 (0) 7572 12 6964

Any questions about the innovations discussed or ThePackHub’s Innovation Zone, please contact paul.jenkins@thepackhub.com.

Recyclable Plastic Packaging webinar

Hosted by Paul Jenkins, Managing Director and Barrington Pamplin, Technical Director of ThePackHub.

Book your free place here.

Sustainable Packaging Podcast

Innovation & Design Stage – Powered by ThePackHub

ThePackHub is delighted to help curate content for the Innovation & Design Stage at the upcoming Packaging Innovations at NEC on 25th & 26th May. The stage will host discussions and debates to uncover the latest trends and innovations in design and product packaging.

Get inspired by thought leaders and begin to shape your future packs with discussions such as innovations driven by the packaging tax, the refill/reuse revolution, the importance of trend scanning and much more!

ThePackHub will present four sessions consisting of keynote speakers and case studies from leading brand owners, retailers and FMCG companies.

We’ll keep you updated on speaker announcements over the next few weeks and we can’t wait!

You can register your free place here.

#1 Air capsule packaging alternative to conventional corrugated shipping cases

Procter & Gamble China has revealed a novel packaging solution called  Air Capsule Express packaging. The development was recently shared by their R&D Technology General Manager, and is being touted as an alternative to conventional corrugated board shipping cases for protecting fragile items in the last mile of delivery, and reducing the quantity of packaging.  Air Capsule is P&G’s patented invention where they are finding industry partners to collect it for recycling. The Air Capsule Express packaging is made from a single material that is inflated with air, is waterproof, recyclable, and weighs 40% less than a normal shipping case. Procter & Gamble China joined the GRPG (Green Recycled Plastics Supply Chain Joint Working Group) to investigate waste separation recycling and plastic recycling enterprises. The Air Capsule Express was developed jointly with the GRPG, who together carried out pilot trials for recycling of the Air Capsule Express as a way of promoting a greener circular economy.

#2 PCR paperboard blister packs developed

Ohio-based Rohrer has announced the launch of two new blister pack options with an eye very much on the environment. All-Paper Blister is a packaging solution, as the name implies, made entirely of paper. All-Paper Blister cards and inserts are made using paperboard derived from post-consumer waste (65% PCW) sources, or from Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) certified paperboard. The other option, the ecoCombo, features thermoformed blisters that are created using post-consumer recycled PET (50% PCR). Both blister pack solutions are said to run on current production lines with existing heat-sealing equipment, and can be ordered in convenient quantities, ie. 5,000 to 100,000. Superior print and decoration is available on a variety of substrates, including Rohrer’s Process+ seven-colour processing.

More info in The Innovation Zone.

#3 Edible film in development made from pineapple waste

A team of researchers from the Department of Analytical Chemistry, Nutrition and Food Sciences at the University of Alicante in Spain have developed a new packaging material made from pineapple waste. Both the core and peel are used to make the plastic-like material. The new packaging format effectively thwarts potential pineapple food waste where as much as half of each fruit is wasted with the rind and core being the parts most commonly discarded.  It is said to have properties which can increase the level of preservation of the food it holds, increasing shelf life. The end goal of the development is to have created an edible film that can be used to control the shelf-life of susceptible foods such as red meat.

More info in The Innovation Zone.

#4 Mono-material PET blister lidding solution meets industry requirements

ThePackHub Expert Interview

Packaging question of the week

Planet Patrol say 10 brands account for half of the UK’s packaging litter. Are the biggest brands most to blame for the waste? Vote and comment on LinkedIn now. 

Last week, 61% think that fast food reusable packaging, like Burger King’s trial, will stay.

ThePackHub Innovation Zone Snapshot

More information on our Innovation Zone packaging database – https://www.thepackhub.com/the-innovation-zone/

This Thursday – Recyclable Plastic Packaging webinar

We are delighted to also be joined by Dr. Elef Kassianidis, Sales Director, UK & Ireland of flexible packaging experts Hatzopoulos.

Hosted by Paul Jenkins, Managing Director and Barrington Pamplin, Technical Director of ThePackHub.

Book your free place here.

Watch ThePackHub’s last webinar

Innovation & Design Stage – Powered by ThePackHub

ThePackHub is delighted to help curate content for the Innovation & Design Stage at the upcoming Packaging Innovations at NEC on 25th & 26th May. The stage will host discussions and debates to uncover the latest trends and innovations in design and product packaging.

Get inspired by thought leaders and begin to shape your future packs with discussions such as innovations driven by the packaging tax, the refill/reuse revolution, the importance of trend scanning and much more!

ThePackHub will present four sessions consisting of keynote speakers and case studies from leading brand owners, retailers and FMCG companies.

We’ll keep you updated on speaker announcements over the next few weeks and we can’t wait!

You can register your free place here.

#1 Marker technology helps recycling separation process

Recycling optimisation and sorting company Polysecure have collaborated with plastic producers Röchling to create a new innovation called SmartMarker, which is designed to aid in the process of separating specific plastics in order to recycle more efficiently. The solution is not only useful for recycling – the SmartMarker tech can offer counterfeit protection as well. It works by giving their plastic products a unique identifier made of tiny marker particles, which are fully transparent and do not affect the properties of the product in any way. This allows them to track the origins of the material as well as separate it from other materials for easier recycling.

#2 Flavour-adjusting electric chopsticks make low-salt food taste salty

Japanese manufacturer of beverages and pharmaceutical products, Kirin Holdings has partnered with Tokyo-based Meiji University researchers to demonstrate a set of electric chopsticks that can boost people’s perception of saltiness. The researchers say that the “electric taste sensation” system pairs one regular chopstick with another that’s connected to a wrist-worn power supply and control computer. Apparently, the system uses very weak electricity, not enough to affect the human body – to adjust the function of ions such as sodium chloride and sodium glutamate to change the perception of taste by making food seem to taste stronger or weaker. Gel “food” samples were given to participants, with precisely measured salt levels representing “normal” salted food and a reduced-salt version with some 30% less salt in it. When the device was turned on, subjects rated the reduced-salt food as slightly saltier than the “normal” food, on a “saltiness intensity evaluation point” scale.

More info in The Innovation Zone.

#3 Collectable lego-like packaging for new cannabis brand

New York design studios MA-MA and Pràctica have come together for the rebranding of Canadian actor and comedian Seth Rogen’s Houseplant cannabis brand. The new packaging is comprised of stackable containers that resemble Lego bricks. Along with the lego-like cannabis containers, MA-MA and Pràctica designed a custom typeface and modernist line illustrations of Houseplant products for the package rebranding. The cube-shaped containers come in three bold colours, green, pink and orange, against a blue background, corresponding to the different strains of cannabis they contain. The lids have a circular protrusion, making them stackable like Lego. Houseplant were keen on having the flower container be something people would want to display on their shelves as a collectable keepsake. The design is said to subtly reference the nostalgic imagery of classic modernist product design packaging, with product shapes dictating the visuals.

More info in The Innovation Zone.

#4 Digitally-enabled tracking tool for pharmaceutical manufacturers launched

ThePackHub Expert Interview

Packaging question of the week

Burger King’s trial of reusable packaging in some UK outlets is one of several pilots globally, do you think this method will stay? Vote and comment on LinkedIn now. 

Last week, 76% say the UK Plastic Packaging Tax needs to be changed/amended.