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September 2023

Who will pick up the top prizes next week?

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The moment we’ve been waiting for is here! We are thrilled to unveil the finalists for ThePackHub’s inaugural Packaging Startup Awards sponsored by Ocado!

The entries have been assessed by our 15-strong expert panel of judges who have brought their wealth of knowledge and experience to proceedings.

These outstanding startups have showcased innovation, sustainability, and creativity in the packaging industry, and we are proud to recognize their achievements. Each of these finalists brings something different to the table.

The winners will take the spotlight and receive their much-deserved accolades at the prestigious London Packaging Week on Friday, 22nd September. Make sure to mark your calendars – you won’t want to miss this!

You can register for London Packaging Week here. 

Without further ado, let’s celebrate our finalists…

Alternative Materials

Kelp Industries Ltd, one.five, Pulpex, Releaf Paper

Connected Packaging

Aura, Bulkify Limited, Konvoy, PiQR

Increased Functionality 

Choose Planet A, Folia Materials, Nexshift Inc, Recover Packaging,

Online

Beans Coffee Club, Bulkify LImited,  Spudos,

Refill & Reuse

Bower Collective, Cauli, circolution, Good Club (Dizzie)

Waste Reduction

Choose Planet A, ecomlr, Magnomer, Papair

Until next time. Happy innovating.

March 2023

Trend Tracking: Paper bottles are getting traction and here’s why

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Innovation Zone

ThePackHub Innovation Zone Snapshot

by Paul Jenkins, Managing Director of ThePackHub.
I’m pleased to share with you an Innovation Zone snapshot update, which provides a glimpse into the emerging trends on ThePackHub’s global packaging innovation platform.
The Innovation Zone database platform is a reliable destination for keeping up-to-date with the latest global packaging initiatives. With a comprehensive collection of packaging innovations worldwide, you can stay informed about the latest developments and advancements in packaging. Visit our platform today to learn more.
Don’t keep the latest in packaging innovation to yourself! Share the knowledge with your colleagues and friends by forwarding this newsletter to them.  Click here to subscribe.

Trend Tracking: Paper bottles are getting traction and here’s why

This week, I’m taking a deep dive into the world of paper bottles.

The packaging industry is constantly seeking sustainable alternatives to single-use packaging materials. The search for innovative solutions to replace plastic is ongoing, and The Innovation Zone is closely monitoring the switch to various materials in pursuit of improved sustainability.

One of the latest and most intriguing solutions we’re tracking is the development of paper bottles. They are quickly gaining attention as an alternative to traditional packaging materials such as glass, plastic, and aluminium. Some question the introduction of paper bottles as an alternative material particularly if there is a plastic lining used, which can negate the ‘plastic-free’ headline these solutions often aim to garner.

However, paper bottles are made from renewable materials, and are recyclable and biodegradable, making them a potentially effective tool in reducing carbon footprint particularly compared to glass. They are also lightweight and unbreakable, easily transportable, and can be customized in shape and design to meet specific product needs.

As consumer demand for environmentally friendly products grows, paper bottles are emerging as a viable and exciting solution for the packaging industry. While concerns about the use of plastic liners must be addressed, the potential benefits of paper bottles in reducing the industry’s impact on the environment make them a promising innovation.

GIVE ME FIVE!

Here are five new paper bottle initiatives we think you should know about recently posted to the Innovation Zone.

  1. PA Consulting and PulPac launched the Bottle Collective to industrialize a low-cost, high-speed dry moulded fibre recyclable bottle process, with the aim of replacing single-use plastic bottles for various products. Fibre bottles use less water and have already been prototyped, with brand partners working to scale production by 2025.
  2. Distillery 98’s Half Shell Vodka, sold in a Frugalpac paper bottle, uses recycled paperboard and food-grade inner pouch, with 77% less plastic and five times less carbon footprint than glass. The vodka is filtered through Gulf oyster shells and reflects the Florida coastline’s ecology.
  3. SUPA Innovations developed a world-first paper bottle for eco-mate laundry and washing up liquids, with an internal seaweed and natural plant latex coating for biodegradability. The bottle is compostable or recyclable, avoiding a plastic lining.
  4. Cullen Packaging’s Fibre Bottle is a fully recyclable moulded pulp product for dry goods, using natural and recycled materials and a closed-loop recycling system. The product could potentially replace 270m single-use plastic bottles annually.
  5. P&G is trialing paper bottles for Lenor’s Fabric Conditioner with Paboco and Albert Heijn, gathering feedback to develop a fully recyclable paper bottle at scale to reduce the carbon footprint of packaging. The bottle is made from FSC-certified paper fibres with an inner layer of recycled plastic.

In conclusion, the packaging industry’s search for sustainable alternatives to single-use materials is ongoing, and paper bottles are emerging as a promising solution. Whilst their relative sustainability needs to be challenged and concerns about plastic liners must be addressed, the use of renewable materials, recyclability and biodegradability make paper bottles a potentially effective tool in reducing carbon footprint.

With developers continuing to innovate and explore and improve sustainable paper bottle packaging. this area looks set to continue to grow.

Leading brand owners, retailers, and packaging suppliers trust the Innovation Zone to stay ahead with the latest packaging innovations. Contact me to learn how membership can enhance your company’s understanding.

ThePackHub’s Refillable & Reusable Packaging Compendium Volume 2 is out now. The most comprehensive reuse packaging trend summary available. Find out more and order here.

ThePackHub’s latest webinar was broadcast last week and you can now watch it (again) in full.

The webinar provides a comprehensive overview of the latest advancements in plastic packaging innovation. It features David Rimmer, a Managing Director at Unette, who shares his insights and experience on how his business is working towards a more sustainable future. The webinar explores the latest trends in plastic packaging, including sustainable solutions, easy-open and lightweight designs, and technological advancements. It also discusses the benefits of using plastic packaging, as well as the challenges the industry faces in terms of sustainability and waste reduction. The webinar is suitable for anyone interested in staying up-to-date on the latest developments in plastic packaging innovation, including packaging industry professionals, sustainability advocates, and individuals interested in technology and innovation.

Watch here.

Please visit ThePackHub or call us on +44(0)118 963 9990 to find out more about our range of packaging innovation services.
Until next time. Happy innovating.

March 2023

Trend Tracking: recycling initiatives are increasing and this is why

Read more ›

Innovation Zone

ThePackHub Innovation Zone Snapshot

by Paul Jenkins, Managing Director of ThePackHub.
I’m pleased to share with you an Innovation Zone snapshot update, which provides a glimpse into the emerging trends on ThePackHub’s global packaging innovation platform.
The Innovation Zone database platform is a reliable destination for keeping up-to-date with the latest global packaging initiatives. With a comprehensive collection of packaging innovations worldwide, you can stay informed about the latest developments and advancements in packaging. Visit our platform today to learn more.
Don’t keep the latest in packaging innovation to yourself! Share the knowledge with your colleagues and friends by forwarding this newsletter to them.  Click here to subscribe.

Trend Tracking: recycling initiatives are increasing and this is why

This week, I’m taking a deep dive into recycling.

The number of recycling initiatives posted to our Innovation Zone platform continues to be impressive. We’re tracking many examples and have already posted 129 recycled content or recyclable initiatives since the start of 2023.

The desire for recyclable packaging results from several factors, including ongoing environmental concerns, various regulations and pacts, technological advancements and consumer pressure to deliver more sustainable packaging. On that last point, 85% of US consumers strongly believe in recycling, according to the Recycling Partnership. A survey conducted by Amcor, indicated that most consumers (76%) desire to increase their recycling efforts, with recyclability being the most important sustainability factor in packaging that concerns them. Research from Kantor last year shows that 60% of consumers are seeking “better plastic choices”.

GIVE ME FIVE!

Here are five new recycling initiatives we think you should know about recently posted to the Innovation Zone.

ProAmpac have launched ProActive Recyclable R-2050, a sustainable flexible packaging series for frozen food, fresh produce, dry foods, and pet treats in Europe, which is a patent-pending, PE-based alternative to conventional multi-material laminated structures. The R-2050 series offers high clarity, drop resistance, stiffness, dimpling resistance, puncture resistance, and directional tear without the need for laser scoring. It is also widely recyclable and OPRL-compliant in the UK.

Fedrigoni Self-Adhesives have released a range of 100% recycled fibre labels with 30% rPET liners, designed for high-performance applications where wet strength technology is required, such as wine and beer bottle labels. The group aims to double the volume of sustainable items in its product portfolio by 2030, and the 100% Recycled Premium Papers are FSC-certified.

Polytag have developed a low-cost and easily retrofitted two-part UV tag reading solution in collaboration with researchers at the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre. The UV tags will provide packaging lifecycle data to key stakeholders in the supply chain, and retailers Co-op and Ocado have already partnered with Polytag. Co-op’s two-litre own-brand spring water bottles will have UV tags printed on their labels and be detected by Polytag’s UV tag reader at the Abergele Recycling Centre in North Wales.

Vinventions recently launched the Nomacorc Ocean closure made from Ocean-Bound Plastic (OBP), which is collected under ethical and profitable conditions certified to Zero Plastic Oceans standards to prevent marine pollution. Two partnerships have been forged with Donnafugata Estate in Sicily and Maison Bouey in France for their wines.

5 Tesco have partnered with Keep Sea Blue to incorporate a minimum of 30% Recycled Seaside Plastic (RSP) into the plastic packaging for its fish products, including salmon, haddock, cod, and sea bass lines. The RSP is collected within 10km of the Mediterranean Sea from beaches, coastlines, and coastal communities. The PET packaging will be sorted, ground, washed, and recycled for food-grade packaging materials.

In summary, these innovations are typical of the initiatives we are tracking in the Innovation Zone and demonstrate the continued focus on recycling in the packaging industry. ProAmpac’s ProActive Recyclable R-2050 and Fedrigoni Self-Adhesives’ 100% recycled fibre labels provide sustainable alternatives to conventional packaging without sacrificing performance. Polytag’s UV tag reading solution offers a way to collect packaging lifecycle data. Vinventions’ Nomacorc Ocean and Tesco’s partnership with Keep Sea Blue to incorporate recycled seaside plastic in its fish product packaging demonstrates a commitment to reducing the use of virgin plastic using plastic destined for the sea. These initiatives highlight the industry’s efforts to move towards more sustainable packaging via recycling efforts.

We expect this recycling trend is expected to continue into the foreseeable future.

Leading brand owners, retailers, and packaging suppliers trust the Innovation Zone to stay ahead with the latest packaging innovations. Contact me to learn how membership can enhance your company’s understanding.

ThePackHub’s Refillable & Reusable Packaging Compendium Volume 2 is out now. The most comprehensive reuse packaging trend summary available. Find out more and order here.

NEW – Book now
Plastic Packaging Innovations Webinar

Join us on our one-hour webinar on the latest advancements in plastic packaging innovation – volume 2.

In this comprehensive overview, we again dive into the newest initiatives and in-market developments shaking up the plastic packaging industry.

This webinar is perfect for anyone looking to stay up-to-date on the latest advancements in plastic packaging innovation.

Register here.

ThePackHub’s latest webinar was broadcast this week and you can now watch it (again) in full.

In this comprehensive overview, we dive into the newest initiatives and in-market developments that are revolutionizing the plastic packaging industry. Our featured guest, David Rimmer, Managing Director at Unette, is an industry expert who has driven sustainable solutions and delivered easy-open, lightweighted plastic packaging.

He shares his insights and experience with us, so you can learn about the latest developments in plastic packaging and how his business is working towards a more sustainable future. Join us as we explore the latest trends in plastic packaging, including sustainable packaging solutions, easy-open and lightweight designs, and advancements in technology making plastic packaging more efficient and effective.

Click here to access this informative one-hour session.

Please visit ThePackHub or call us on +44(0)118 963 9990 to find out more about our range of packaging innovation services.
Until next time. Happy innovating.

February 2023

Trend Tracking: switching to paper-based packs is showing no signs of slowing

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Innovation Zone

ThePackHub Innovation Zone Snapshot

by Paul Jenkins, Managing Director of ThePackHub.
I am delighted to bring you my personal Innovation Zone snapshot update, a peek at the emerging trends from ThePackHub’s 6,800-strong global packaging innovation platform.
I might be a bit biased (!) but The Innovation Zone database platform is THE go-to destination to keep up to speed with all the latest global packaging initiatives.

 

Don’t keep the latest in packaging innovation to yourself! Share the knowledge with your colleagues and friends by forwarding this newsletter to them.  Click here to subscribe.

Trend Tracking: switching to paper-based packs is showing no signs of slowing.

 

This week, I’m taking a deep dive into paper-based packaging.

The number of paper-based packaging examples posted to our Innovation Zone platform is on the up. In fact, we’re tracking more examples than ever and have already posted 18 since the start of 2023. The Nestle switch to paper-based KitKat packs in Australia is probably the most head-turning of them this year.

A study by Two Sides states that 55% of UK consumers prefer paper packaging as being better for the environment, 51% for being easier to recycle and 77% for being home compostable.

Brands and retailers are increasingly switching to paper-based packaging due to consistent demand from consumers for non-plastic packaging alternatives.  The move can often help meet recyclability objectives and assist to reduce plastic waste. Paper-based packaging is, as well as being recyclable, also biodegradable and compostable. Technological advances have made paper-based packaging more versatile, formable and durable, and it can be printed with high-quality graphics, enhancing the product’s branding and consumer appeal.

Not every change is seen positively, with comments about greenwashing and appeasing consumers being made for some initiatives, particularly when they are not supported by LCAs or carbon footprint reduction claims.

Many of the developments we’re tracking are in market launches and this change is predicted by us to continue for some time yet.

GIVE ME FIVE!

Here are five new paper-based initiatives we think you should know about recently posted to the Innovation Zone.

1 – Enova Pack by Evopak is a flexible packaging material made from adaptive polymers and paper that is recyclable, compostable, biodegradable, and safe for marine and wildlife. It has high barrier properties and puncture resistance, while remaining flexible and water-resistant. The material runs on form fill & seal machines and has been successfully used to package vegan lentil chips.

2 – nucao, a vegan chocolate maker in Germany, has switched to primary packaging made from NexPlus Advanced paper by Koehler Paper, citing its excellent barrier properties and printability. The packaging is 100% recyclable, reduces CO2 footprint, and aligns with consumers’ preference for eco-friendly options.

3 – Toppan, a Japanese provider of advanced printing and communication technology, has developed an NFC tag label that uses paper as the substrate for the antenna instead of PET film. The new label is designed to break if removed, preventing fraudulent use, and is 30% thinner than previous products. With increasing demand for sustainable materials, the use of paper in place of plastic aligns with current environmental initiatives.

4 – Mitsubishi HiTec Paper, a German paper manufacturer, has introduced a new product called PACK, aimed at sustainable packaging of toys and small items. The FSC and PEFC certified paper, made from virgin fibres and available in 75gsm weight, offers excellent heat-sealability, making it ideal for pouch packaging. It has been tested successfully on leading packaging machines and is a sustainable alternative to plastic film composites.

5 – Chocal Packaging Solutions provides an alternative to conventional plastic packaging with their Chocal Paper Fibre technology. This formable and printable packaging is produced using coated paper-based materials, making it food-safe, highly stable, and eco-friendly. The biopolymer coating provides water, odour, and fat barrier properties, and the trays can be customized to various depths and printed with colour and text. All CPF variants are compostable or recyclable.

In summary, the demand for non-plastic packaging alternatives is driving an increase in paper-based packaging, with brands and retailers switching to meet recyclability objectives and reduce plastic waste. Consumers have shown a preference for paper packaging, with many citing its environmental benefits and recyclability. Technological advances have made paper-based packaging more versatile and durable, and it can also be printed with high-quality graphics to enhance branding and consumer appeal. However, not all changes are viewed as the best route to take, with concerns about greenwashing and the need for evidence-based claims to support sustainability initiatives.

This paper-based trend is expected to continue in the foreseeable future.

Leading brand owners, retailers, and packaging suppliers trust the Innovation Zone to stay ahead with the latest packaging innovations. Contact me to learn how membership can enhance your company’s understanding.

ThePackHub’s Refillable & Reusable Packaging Compendium Volume 2 is out now. The most comprehensive reuse packaging trend summary available. Find out more and order here.

This week
Plastic Packaging Innovations Webinar

Join us for a FREE one-hour webinar and discover the cutting-edge advancements in plastic packaging innovation. Get a comprehensive overview of the latest initiatives and in-market developments that will inspire and inform you.

Hear from industry expert David Rimmer, Managing Director at Unette, as he shares insights on how his business is driving sustainable solutions and delivering easy-open, lightweighted plastic packaging.

Don’t miss this opportunity to stay ahead of the curve and learn from industry leaders. Sign up now!

Register here.

ThePackHub’s latest webinar was broadcast this week and you can now watch it (again) in full.

Don’t miss out on the latest e-commerce packaging trends! Watch ThePackHub’s recent webinar now for a comprehensive look at innovation in the industry. Discover inspiring in-market and developmental examples, and hear from Ian Beresford of Essentra Tapes on the crucial role packaging plays in creating a positive first impression and shaping consumer perceptions of sustainability.

Click here to access this informative one-hour session.

Please visit ThePackHub or call us on +44(0)118 963 9990 to find out more about our range of packaging innovation services.
Until next time. Happy innovating.

ThePackHub Ltd 3 Redlands Court, Chapel Lane, Shotteswell, Banbury, OX17 1JB . Tel: 0118 963 9990 . Email us >