Packaging Blog - ThePackHub

When we see anything in the packaging world which we think is a little out of the ordinary, or worthy of a little more comment, then we post something here.

Get the latest postings to the best packaging blog available straight to your inbox.

Just click on our logo below to subscribe to our regular blog posts and keep right up to date on our latest thoughts and observations on packaging innovations and developments:

SUBSCRIBE TO ThePackHub BLOG NOW

May 2020

Innovation Zone Snapshot – Plastic-reduced sunscreen tube makes market introduction

Welcome to this week’s Innovation Zone snapshot from ThePackHub.

ThePackHub collates up to 20 new packaging innovations every week for our Innovation Zone database (book a one-to-one online demo here).

We have selected four new initiatives for you today.

Very Special Offer

For the first time, we are offering PDF-only copies of our Sustainable Packaging Compendium. Get your hands on 500+ innovations across two volumes for just £299 / $362 / €335*

Order now and receive straight away.

* currency rate may vary.

Next Free Webinar from ThePackHub

Friday 12th June at 10am BST & 1pm ET (6pm BST)

All new innovations.

Join us for our latest 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.

Hosted by Paul Jenkins, Managing Director and Barrington Pamplin, Technical Director of ThePackHub. Feel free to share with your colleagues.

Question of the week

Packaging question of the week

Which of these should be the packaging innovation priority over the next 12 months?

Vote now. Will you choose Plastic Reduction or Carbon Footprint reduction?

You can join over 5,600 others and stay up to speed on the latest packaging news from ThePackHub by following us on LinkedIn – www.linkedin.com/company/thepackhub

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 Plastic-reduced sunscreen tube makes market introduction

Cosmetic packaging experts Albéa have produced a new packaging innovation for L’Oréal’s La Roche-Posay sunscreen product. The Innovation Zone first tracked the development of a breakthrough innovation of a tube where the majority of the plastic is replaced by a bio-based paper-cardboard material. See: Paper-based cosmetics tube set to shake up market. The paper- based tube possesses 45% less plastic compared to conventional tubes. It is claimed that the launch of the sunscreen tubes incorporating cardboard reduces the environmental footprint of the overall packaging with a life cycle analysis showing that the new Anthelios skincare brand has the lowest carbon footprint in its category. They are able to maintain barrier performance even through the removal of the aluminium. It is planned to make the switch to other La Roche-Posay products. This disruptive packaging is part of a strategy which aims to reduce the use of plastic in La Roche-Posay products. The brand has an objective to incorporate 70% recycled plastic in its packaging by 2025. It is currently at 25%. That change would see the reduction of 10,000 tonnes of virgin resin usage.

More info in The Innovation Zone.

#2 Patented ‘click-in’ design improves user experience for new refill pack

Founded in 1967, ECOS makes more sustainable laundry detergents and cleaners for its domestic US market. The Chicago-based cleaning brand has announced the introduction of a new refill solution that includes a patented ‘click-in’ design to improve user experience. Their novel Mother & Child ECOS Refill Kit system has been designed to be both easy to use and space-saving as well as reducing single-use packaging usage. The new system incorporates a refill bottle design that is easy to pour combined with a smaller bottle that’s comfortable for one-handed usage. Both bottles snap together through a patented technology helping to make it compact and handy to store between uses. This click-in system also reduces plastic use as it requires no shrink-wrap to hold the bottle together. The new refill system provides the equivalent volume of five containers in one kit with a significant reduction in the amount of bottle plastic compared to five individual containers. The Mother & Child ECOS Refill Kits are available at Whole Foods Market across the United States.

#3 Pilot for reusable and refillable in-store coffee dispensers for Swiss stores commences

Nestlé is working on their pledge to make 100% of its packaging recyclable or reusable by 2025. The largest food company in the world also plans to reduce the use of virgin plastics by one third in the same period. The business is testing reusable and refillable dispensers as part of a wider trend that has seen many initiatives in this area over the last 12 months. The majority of initiatives are small pilots rather than extensive and permanent roll-outs as brands and retailers test consumer take up as well as operational logistics. Nestlé has been piloting reusable and refillable in-store dispensers for their instant coffee as well as pet food in three Nestlé shops located in Switzerland. Consumers can bring their own reusable containers to buy different Purina cat food and Nescafé coffee variants. Digital product information such as ingredients, nutritional values and shelf life that is typically found on the packaging is accessible as well as full traceability of the products. Nestlé is working with Czech company MIWA (MInimal WAste) on the systems. The dispensers have apparently been well received by consumers during a short trial. Nestlé is testing their reuse and refill options across several product categories and is rolling out these dispensers across more locations in due course.

More info in The Innovation Zone.

#4 Colour-changing cups launch may not be reusable quite yet

The reusable coffee cup market has experienced significant growth in recent times as consumers around the world look to reduce their on-the-go single-use cup usage often incentivised with coffee shop discounts. The Covid-19 pandemic has left the market in turmoil due to many outlets temporarily banning their use due to hygiene factors. However, this has not stopped global coffee chain Starbucks with their planned launch of a new version of their colour-changing cups. The Confetti Cold Cup changes colours when a cold drink is poured inside and comes in five different colours. Starbucks will still not refill the reusable cups at this point in time. The new cups will be introduced in the US and European markets.

More info in The Innovation Zone.

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.

May 2020

Innovation Zone Snapshot – Plastic-reduced toothpaste tube delivered through paper use

Welcome to this week’s Innovation Zone snapshot from ThePackHub.

ThePackHub collates up to 20 new packaging innovations every week for our Innovation Zone database (book a one-to-one online demo here).

We have selected four new initiatives for you today.

Next Free Webinar from ThePackHub

Friday 29th May at 10am BST & 1pm ET (6pm BST)

All new innovations.

Hosted by Paul Jenkins, Managing Director and Barrington Pamplin, Technical Director of ThePackHub. Feel free to share with your colleagues.

Question of the week

How will the biodegradable and compostable packaging market fare over the next 12 months?

Cast your vote here

You can join 5,600 others and stay up to speed on the latest packaging news from ThePackHub by following us on LinkedIn – www.linkedin.com/company/thepackhub

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 Plastic-reduced toothpaste tube delivered through paper use

Japanese global printing business Toppan has developed a new tube container that incorporates paper to reduce the amount of plastic waste generated. The new solution can be used for food, cosmetics and medicine applications. Toppan has developed a paper-made tube container that reduces the amount of plastic by 50% compared to a conventional laminated tube typically used for applications such as toothpaste. The overall thickness of the new tube is a third of a typical laminated version. The significant change from 0.3 mm to 0.1 mm has been achieved through the use of paper that has reduced the amount of plastic used by 50%. Toppan has also reduced the plastic parts in the tube’s head to deliver another significant reduction of plastic of 65%. By utilizing the stiffness of the paper, a firm pack shape can be maintained when the content decreases. The means of folding the paper-based pack reduces elasticity apparently making the contents easier to squeeze than conventional laminated tubes. It is also easier to squeeze the contents to the end compared to a regular laminated tube. See also Paper-based cosmetics tube set to shake up market.

More info in The Innovation Zone.

#2 Bag-in-Bag initiative makes recycling easier for consumers

Leading European packaging business Coveris is on the innovation trail again already having several entries in the vaults of the Innovation Zone. The €800 million annual turnover business has announced the introduction of an initiative that improves recycling for a new Bag-in-Bag packaging concept. The patented solution has been created for the food and pet food sectors and makes recycling easier for consumers by combining the attributes of flexible film and paper with a technology that ensures easy separation of the materials. There is no apparent compromise in terms of product safety and visibility. Coveris’ Bag-in-Bag initiative incorporates an inner layer that has strong barrier properties to protect the contents, alongside an outer layer made of paper, reducing the dependence on plastic. After use, the bag’s two components can reportedly be easily separated via tear tape.

#3 Pet food brand transforms into toy for cats post-use

Global cat food brand Whiskas has created some added value to their packaging as well as giving a ‘stay of execution’ to the recycling process with the launch of boxes that can be transformed into a toy for cats. The Mars Petcare owned brand has created a promotional pack in conjunction with Brazilian online store PetLove. The concept was created by Sao Paulo based marketing and advertising agency AlmapBBDO. Shoppers just need to buy a 40 units multipack of Whiskas sachets to acquire the new packaging design called the Curiosity Box. The new packaging facilitates reuse and contains assembly instructions with the pack able to turn into a rocket for a fun post-use toy for indoor play for the curious pet. The Whiskas team intends to launch other configurations including aircraft and submarine shapes in due course. The idea of transforming a simple delivery box into something else that can then be recycled when it has reached the end of its useful life is part of a small micro-trend with the Innovation Zone tracking several over the last 12 months or so. See also Secondary packaging for television range encourages reuse.

More info in The Innovation Zone.

#4 Own-brand dishwasher cleaner made from recycled fishing nets

Denmark’s multinational discount grocery chain Rema 1000 aims to make the packaging of all its own-brand products recyclable by 2023. As part of this sustainability drive, the no-thrills retailer has introduced its dishwasher cleaner in packaging made from recycled fishing nets. The retailer has teamed up with the Danish company Plastix for the technology required for the packaging material. Plastix’s mission is to transform used and abandoned fishing nets, ropes and rigid plastic equipment that would previously have ended up in landfill or eventually the ocean. Plastix mechanically recycles them into high-quality raw plastic material. The collaboration with Plastix now leads to the first packaging of its kind. The recycling technology developed by Plastix transforms this difficult to recycle plastic into a dark green packaging material. The shade of green in the new packaging material derived will vary with different productions. This is turned into an opportunity by creating a point of difference for the brand and a potential talking point for consumers that emphasises how the imperfect plastic was derived.

More info in The Innovation Zone.

Until next time. Happy innovating.

May 2020

Innovation Zone Snapshot – Resealable front closure for stand-up pouch creates point of difference

Welcome to this week’s Innovation Zone snapshot from ThePackHub.

ThePackHub collates up to 20 new packaging innovations every week for our Innovation Zone database (book a one-to-one online demo here).

We have selected four new initiatives for you today.

Next Free Webinar from ThePackHub

This Friday 15th May at 10am BST & 1pm ET (6pm BST)

All new innovations.

Hosted by Paul Jenkins, Managing Director and Barrington Pamplin, Technical Director of ThePackHub. We will be chatting with Catherine Conway of Unpackaged about the refill market. There will be opportunities for Q&A as well as a poll or two. Feel free to share with your colleagues.

You can join 5,500 others and stay up to speed on the latest packaging news from ThePackHub by following us on LinkedIn – www.linkedin.com/company/thepackhub

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 Single-serve frozen dessert packs respond to heightened food safety consumers

Many segments have now incorporated the functional practicality of resealable stand-up pouches across sectors such as nuts, dried fruit, muesli, confectionery and snacks. Resealing makes it easier to consume on the go as well as serving to keep the contents fresh. Midor owned confectioner Swiss Delice has introduced a twist on the format for their Thins brand by incorporating an unusual resealable front closure. The Swiss Delice Thins brand has now solved the problem of stickers used for resealing that can lose their adhesive force with a new type of resealable closure on the front. When the front flap is opened, the contents are more visible than with a conventional closure strip. Four varieties of the brand are now available in the new pack format in the German market.

More info in The Innovation Zone.

#2 Medications packed together at different temperature now possible

The use of packaging to deliver temperature control has been an area of development for many years with several new initiatives coming to the attention of the Innovation Zone. Leading provider of thermal packaging solutions for the biopharmaceutical and life sciences sector, Packaging Technology Group has launched a solution that takes the capability to another level with a dual temperature capability. The requirement to thermally protect medications and preserve the efficacy of drugs whilst in transit continues to be a priority for biopharmaceutical producers. The new shipper from the Fall River, Massachusetts business is made using sustainable paper-based materials and is an addition to their TRUEtemp Naturals Cellulose range of recyclable and repulpable products. This solution allows medications and therapies with different temperature requirements to travel together in the same container. The option to ship medications with two different temperature profiles together provides a new way to help save on shipping assembly and logistics costs. The dual temp shipper is especially useful for immunotherapies products where a frozen medication can travel alongside another that needs refrigeration.

#3 Prefabricated cardboard sleeve reduces packaging for clothing range

The drive to reduce the amount of plastic used for packaging continues across just all about all product categories. There is a desire that any packaging reductions do not lead to performance compromises to ensure that the products remain protected during transportation. Packaging is also used to help navigate shoppers to find important information and the products have to look presentable both in the store and on the supermarket shelf. German chain of coffee retailer Tchibo is known for its range of non-coffee products that change weekly that often includes clothing. Their in-house packaging team have succeeded in delivering a prefabricated reduced material cardboard sleeve that is folded around the clothing. A cardboard insert in the form of a bow serves to deliver stabilization. The suspension that holds the sleeve together is made from recycled plastic and there are plans for this to be replaced by a waste paper solution in due course. The almost plastic-free packaging is a unique concept that has already been patent registered. The savings in reduction in plastic use are significant with 30 million plastic packs per year.

More info in The Innovation Zone.

#4 Dumbbell-shaped bottle has practical use

Distinctive pack shapes are used by innovators to create a point of difference and on occasion can also deliver some functional benefits. The use of disruptive pack shapes can be a key tool to help create stand out and get noticed on shelf. This is further enhanced when the shape helps to magnify the product proposition. A dumbbell-shaped bottle for isotonic sports drinks by the Kosovo-based Bibita Group does just that. The 710 ml Dum Dum brand bottle has a practical use though the dumbbell-shape. The unusual bottle design not only promises to attract consumer attention but also unmistakably points to the core athlete target group. The practical use fits well into the hands of the consumers for potential light dumbbell training. Just don’t drink the contents first! See also Water brand gets noticed with dumbbell-shaped bottle.

More info in The Innovation Zone.

Until next time. Happy innovating.

May 2020

Innovation Zone Snapshot – Single-serve frozen dessert packs respond to heightened food safety consumers

Welcome to this week’s Innovation Zone snapshot from ThePackHub.

ThePackHub collates up to 20 new packaging innovations every week for our Innovation Zone database (book a one-to-one online demo here).

We have selected four new initiatives for you today.

We had fun delivering our packaging trends webinar last Friday. We will be emailing a link to view it in full in the next 24 hours. Thank you to all who joined us despite it being a public holiday in several countries. Oops! There is information below on our next one on sustainable packaging innovation trends.

Next Free Webinar from ThePackHub

Hosted by Paul Jenkins, Managing Director and Barrington Pamplin, Technical Director of ThePackHub. There will be opportunities for Q&A as well as a poll or two. Feel free to share with your colleagues.

You can join nearly 5,400 others and stay up to speed on the latest packaging news from ThePackHub by following us on LinkedIn – www.linkedin.com/company/thepackhub

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 Single-serve frozen dessert packs respond to heightened food safety consumers

The Covid-19 global pandemic is inevitably having an impact on packaging innovation development. Time will tell whether shopper and consumer behaviour has permanently changed but there is certainly evidence that heightened concerns for health and food safety and presently a concern for many. This has led to new launches that have been fast-tracked to meet this new consumer sentiment. See Tamper-proof pizza box reassures pizza home delivery customers. Another new example is My/Mo Mochi Ice Cream which has launched single-serve packs in the US market. The frozen dessert brand’s packaging format features a single mochi ice cream ball in a fully-enclosed pack. The brand claims that the single-use format will help reduce food waste and spoilage by preserving quality and increasing product shelf life compared with unpackaged mochi ice cream. The pack will improve hygienic standards by eliminating open exposure.

More info in The Innovation Zone.

#2 Paper-based alternative for pharmaceutical blister packs gets financial injection

An Australian start-up has developed a paper-based alternative to replace plastic for items like single-use coffee pods and pharmaceutical blister packs. The paper is derived made from plant waste. Varden have introduced the new solution called Paperseal and have received funding from Horizon Ventures to accelerate expansion. A bespoke machine has been designed that gets around the challenges of forming 3D shapes using paper. The process forms paper fibres into shapes without creating holes that let product flavour out and air in. The machine is able to mould the fibres to create an effective water and oxygen barrier. The Paperseal solution promises to ultimately lower production costs and decrease the carbon footprint at no sacrifice to product performance. Varden is in talks with two coffee brands along with several large multinational pharmaceutical companies. A production facility is planned for Europe within 18 months and the U.S. within two years.

#3 Single-dose cheese sachets launched in compostable packaging

Italian cheese brand Dalter has announced the introduction of compostable sachets in a compostable and biodegradable material. The solution is suitable for preserving the properties of the product and to deliver an adequate shelf-life. It is claimed that Dalter’s introduction of the new single-dose bio-based material sachets is the first for mature hard cheeses. The material has been designed to keep the freshness and aroma of the cheese intact. The pack is made from the processing residues of agricultural products. The product can be industrially composted where available. See also New low-gauge biodegradable films developed.

More info in The Innovation Zone.

#4 Refillable household product range confirm new UK distribution points

As part of a wider trend, UK retailer Co-op (Heart of England) is fitting refillable packaging units in 35 of their stores via a new distribution agreement with social enterprise LocoSoco, which delivers a wide range of refillable household products. LocoSoco as a business was launched to help local communities to realise their economic and sustainable potential. The LocoSoco eco-refill stations have been in situ for a short period so far and have already created strong interest translating into impressive sales. One 120ml refill bottle costs £2.50 and is filled by the individual shopper. Subsequent refills are under half that price with an RRP of £1.20 including VAT. Refillable stations are a significant growth area with many retailers trialling their own new systems or in collaboration with brands. See also Detergent refill station trial leads to expansion.

More info in The Innovation Zone.

Until next time. Happy innovating.

Blog

Innovation Zone Snapshot – Plastic-reduced sunscreen tube makes market introduction

Very Special Offer

Next Free Webinar from ThePackHub

Question of the week

Packaging question of the week

#1 Plastic-reduced sunscreen tube makes market introduction

#2 Patented ‘click-in’ design improves user experience for new refill pack

#3 Pilot for reusable and refillable in-store coffee dispensers for Swiss stores commences

#4 Colour-changing cups launch may not be reusable quite yet

Innovation Zone Snapshot – Plastic-reduced toothpaste tube delivered through paper use

Next Free Webinar from ThePackHub

Question of the week

#1 Plastic-reduced toothpaste tube delivered through paper use

#2 Bag-in-Bag initiative makes recycling easier for consumers

#3 Pet food brand transforms into toy for cats post-use

#4 Own-brand dishwasher cleaner made from recycled fishing nets

Innovation Zone Snapshot – Resealable front closure for stand-up pouch creates point of difference

Next Free Webinar from ThePackHub

#1 Single-serve frozen dessert packs respond to heightened food safety consumers

#2 Medications packed together at different temperature now possible

#3 Prefabricated cardboard sleeve reduces packaging for clothing range

#4 Dumbbell-shaped bottle has practical use

Innovation Zone Snapshot – Single-serve frozen dessert packs respond to heightened food safety consumers

Next Free Webinar from ThePackHub

#1 Single-serve frozen dessert packs respond to heightened food safety consumers

#2 Paper-based alternative for pharmaceutical blister packs gets financial injection

#3 Single-dose cheese sachets launched in compostable packaging

#4 Refillable household product range confirm new UK distribution points

Categories