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ThePackHub Innovation Zone Snapshot

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

Register to attend here: https://www.packaging-london.com/

Paul Jenkins of ThePackHub will be opening day one of the Packaging Innovations stage at 10:30am.

‘Innovation in 2022: the key trends defining your next packaging project’

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#1 Recyclable paper bottle would be beauty industry first

New York-based global beauty and cosmetics company Estée Lauder has joined the Pulpex partner consortium. Pulpex, along with early partners, Pilot Lite Group and Diageo, have created a paper bottle using wood pulp. Manufactured from pulp from FSC-certified (Forest Stewardship Council) renewable feedstock from responsibly managed forests, they are aiming for the bottle to be recyclable in standard waste paper streams. Estée Lauder are the first leading beauty brand to join the consortium. They intend to explore opportunities for their own brands utilising the same bottle-making technology. Estée Lauder recently committed to reducing the amount of fossil-based plastic packaging in their products to 50% or less by the end of 2030, They also set the goal of achieving 100% FSC-certified forest-based fibre cartons, and ensuring over 75% of its packaging is recyclable, refillable, reusable, recycled, or recoverable by 2025. Their brands include Estée Lauder, Clinique, DKNY, and Michael Kors.

#2 Insulative e-commerce paper packaging is fully recyclable

Multinational technology and e-commerce company Amazon has launched packaging for their Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods online grocery deliveries which is fully recyclable, while still maintaining insulation and other protective properties. The pack was trialled and piloted several times in multiple US cities to ensure the positive properties of the pack were working to their full extent. The packs are made from recycled paper and are easily recyclable in standard US waste streams. The change will reportedly save over three hundred tonnes of plastic film, over 1,400 tonnes of cotton fibre and over 6500 tonnes of non-recyclable mixed plastic every year. Amazon’s new recyclable grocery packaging fits perfectly in line with the organisation’s sustainable objective to be entirely carbon neutral by 2040.

More info in The Innovation Zone.

#3 Method to prevent small plastics slipping out of recycling process developed

PET (polyethylene terephthalate) is considered an easily and infinitely recyclable material with infrastructure in place to recycle the material in many markets around the world. However, the process is not perfect and some small PET bottles can slip through the sorting process in recycling facilities, and so end up unrecycled. To tackle this issue,  Global leading packaging company Amcor have developed a method to recycle small PET bottles. The container design will allow for spirit bottles 50ml in size to be recycled. The process is a straightforward one and works by causing the bottles to increase in width when squashed, causing them to be too large to escape the sorting facility.

More info in The Innovation Zone.

#4 Own label refillable cleaning spray bottles launched

Latest ThePackHub Expert Interview

Packaging question of the week

Did 2021 see more greenwashing in packaging or less? Vote and comment now. 

ThePackHub Innovation Zone Snapshot

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

Very Special Offer – Half Price
Save on Global Packaging Trends Compendium

Watch our latest webinar

#1 Reusable trial begins in German fast-food restaurants

Global fast-food heavyweights McDonald’s is trialling a reusable packaging system in some restaurants in large German cities, including Munich and Berlin. The trial involves participating consumers receiving their food in reusable packaging, which can either be taken out or used in the restaurant. The consumer pays a deposit on collection of the packaging, which is then reimbursed when the consumer returns the packaging back to the participating McDonalds. They plan to roll out the system into all of their German restaurants by the end of 2022, based on feedback on functionality from consumers and employees. This execution and process is different to another McDonald’s reusable cup initiative with Loop.

#2 Beauty brand switches to compostable paper tube deodorant

Deodorant packs come in many shapes, sizes and formats. The tube composition is traditionally packaged in multiple materials, including plastic, effectively making them impossible to recycle. More plastic-free and paper-based health and beauty innovations are coming to market, with brands striving to improve their sustainability. Hong Kong beauty brand Coconut Matter have launched a compostable paper tube for their deodorant. The deodorant is the company’s biggest product, so they wanted to lead the way with this sustainable initiative. The company have plans in the future as well, including water-free formulas, which will allow for less packaging to be used.

More info in The Innovation Zone.

#3 Seaweed-coated foodservice packaging starts UK roll out

UK-based Tri-Star Packaging has introduced foodservice kraft boxes coated with Notpla, an innovative, sustainable material made from seaweed. Notpla decomposes in less than six weeks in a home composting environment and does not require any special conditions to degrade. The Notpla coating is made of a highly renewable resource, brown seaweed, which grows up to 1 metre per day. Seaweed doesn’t compete with food crops and doesn’t need fresh water or fertiliser. The kraft boxes are manufactured in the UK from sustainable sources which can include up to 25% grass. The method of production for the boxes also has a reported much reduced carbon footprint compared to standard board manufacturing, saving over 250kg of CO2, and 3,000 litres of water per tonne of carton board. The boxes are said to be suitable a range of foods from fast foods such as burgers and fries or dry curries, Notpla boxes are available in two sizes – 738ml (26oz) and 1307ml (46oz).

More info in The Innovation Zone.

#4 Hand soap refill kit is a category first

Latest ThePackHub Expert Interview

Packaging question of the week

Do you plan to visit the Packaging Innovations show in London on 1st & 2nd December? Vote and comment now. 

Last week, 78% said they prefer to refill their products at home rather than on the go.

ThePackHub Innovation Zone Snapshot

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

Very Special Offer – Half Price
Save on Global Packaging Trends Compendium

Watch our latest webinar

#1 Child-proof blister pack is easier to open by older people

Packlock is an innovative blister pack designed to be child-resistant, but also easy to open by older people. In Germany, it is reported that 200,000 children are poisoned annually, with around 60% being caused by medication. Also, 77% of medicines are taken by people over 60 years of age. The design of the Packlock requires both ends to be squeezed at once, while then pushing the tablet out of the blister, meaning it is difficult for children to access the medication. Packlock is not a fundamentally new medication packaging, the existing blister packaging is merely modified and further processed. The packaging process requires an additional step in which the blisters are folded and sealed. It is also available in a biodegradable packaging variant made of cast fibre and monofilm. The packaging is provided with a closure seal and can be hung on the usual shelves in retail stores. Packlock is also suitable for packing button cell batteries.

#2 Powder technology makes for very accurate dosing

Netherlands-based packaging development company Mezzo International have been busy with several new designs and concepts as reported in the Innovation Zone recently. They are on the innovation trail once again, with a new powder dosing technology. The concept involves a custom-built tub that can accurately dispense powdered goods at a pre-determined level. All the user needs to do is tilt the tub, which will fill the dosing chamber that holds up to 20 grams of powder. The dosing accuracy is +/- 5%, giving users safe and accurate dosing. The new concept pack could have applications in the pharmaceutical market and for food products. It can be designed bespoke to the needs of the brand, allowing for many customisation and unique-to-the-market options. There is also a similar technology by the Mezzo team in development for pharmaceutical tablet dosing.

More info in The Innovation Zone.

#3 Prototype face cream lid enhances accessibility

Olay North America has announced the launch of a new prototype lid, which it says will improve accessibility for disabled people. The new lid, called the Easy Open Lid, incorporates a winged cap that allows for easier opening. Other features include an extra grip on the raised lid, a high contrast product label, and braille text that reads “face cream” to allow consumers to differentiate between products. The new lid will be available on four of their most popular products: Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream, Vitamin C + Peptide 24 Face Moisturiser, Retinol 24 Face Moisturiser, and Collagen Peptide 24 Face Moisturiser.  P&G’s Olay have made the decision not to patent the new lid, as they feel that others may join them in making products more accessible to the disabled. The Easy Open Lid will be offered to consumers at no additional cost, with the purchase of any of the four Olay moisturisers with the new design.

More info in The Innovation Zone.

#4 Mono-material bread pack with smart drawstring developed

Latest ThePackHub Expert Interview

Packaging question of the week

Do you prefer to refill your products at home or on the go? Vote and comment now. 

Last week, following COP 26, 70% think we will see more plastic packaging activity to meet the carbon reduction objectives.

ThePackHub Innovation Zone Snapshot

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

Very Special Offer – Half Price
Save on Global Packaging Trends Compendium

Watch our latest webinar

#1 Perforated membrane for pouches improves powder dosing

A trio of German machinery manufacturers have joined forces to present themselves as ‘The Packaging Group’. Fawema, HDG and Wolf announced that they were joining forces at FachPack 2021 in Nuremburg. They announced the launch of a new product, the ‘Push & Dose’ membrane. The innovation is designed for particulate products such as herbs and spices that would traditionally be in glass or plastic jars with shaker-style tops.  Other possible uses include cheese and milk powders, as well as medical and cosmetic powders. The fitment consists of an elastic, perforated membrane between springy plates, which can be fitted into pouch packaging. Material and production costs are reduced as fewer materials are used, as are transport costs due to the lighter weight when compared to glass and rigid plastic containers.

#2 Waterless body wash concentrate incorporates reusable key

A Canadian start-up called Everist has announced the addition of a third product to join the hair care products it launched this year. The new product from Everist is the Waterless Body Wash Concentrate. All three products are concentrated paste formulations that are activated with water. The packaging consists of recyclable aluminium tubes and a PET (polyethylene terephthalate) cap. A useful reusable key fits on the end to wind the tube as it empties, enabling the consumer to extract as much of the product as possible. Everist have a return programme for their caps called CapBack, where they can be returned and recycled. Consumers can also purchase a 100% biodegradable and home compostable Konjac Sponge. The body wash is priced at $24 USD/$28 CAD per tube and the sponge at $12 USD/$16 CAD. The 100ml tube is the equivalent of a standard 300ml bottle.

More info in The Innovation Zone.

#3 Bottle cap design stops e-commerce transit leakages

Neville and More, a packaging supply company based in the south of England focuses on bottles, jars and closures. The business has developed an e-commerce approved top. The safety mechanism ensures that the products contained do not leak on their way to the customer, but is still easy for them to dispense. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the e-commerce channel has increased significantly and more liquid cream products are being shipped than ever before, and packaging has to withstand sometimes inevitable rough handling of its distribution. The disc top cap benefits from a built-in push-up mechanism that ensures that the contents are not accidentally dispensed during shipping to the customer. The new top is available in the popular 24/410 neck size, making it suitable for use with hundreds of Neville and More’s standard bottles in recyclable PET (polyethylene terephthalate) and HDPE (high density polyethylene).

More info in The Innovation Zone.

#4 Single-dose paper-based vial has numerous potential applications

Latest ThePackHub Expert Interview

Packaging question of the week

Following COP 26, will we see more plastic packaging activity to meet the carbon reduction objectives? Vote and comment now. 

Last week, 43% believe that the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference will have a long term impact on the packaging industry. 22% think it won’t make any difference.