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February 2022

Innovation Zone Snapshot – World-first paper cap created for paper tubes

Read more ›

Innovation Zone

ThePackHub Innovation Zone Snapshot

Welcome to this week’s Innovation Zone snapshot from ThePackHub.
ThePackHub collates more than 100 new packaging innovations every month for our Innovation Zone platform. We now have 5,625 searchable initiatives listed. We have selected four new initiatives for you today.

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

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

This Thursday – Book on our next packaging webinar

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 be joined by Mauro Cozzi – CEO and Co-founder of Emitwise – accounting for carbon in packaging innovation.

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

This Thursday 24th February at 3pm UK.

Book your free place here.

More upcoming webinars to book

Sustainable Packaging TODAY                      Recyclable Packaging Innovations
In partnership with Packaging World
More info here                                              More info 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 World-first paper cap created for paper tubes

There have ongoing developments reported in the Innovation Zone to improve the recyclability of tubes of various formats. However, the caps that accompany their use are perhaps a little behind in terms of optimising their end-of-life design. Swedish manufacturer of paper cores, tubes, bobbins and cylindrical packaging, Scandicore have collaborated with PulPac to create what is reported to be the world’s first caps for paper tubes that are made of paper themselves. PulPac’s Dry Moulded Fiber technology is patented and is available to be licensed to producers through the PulPac Modula standardized machine platform, available at their PulPac Tech Centre for sample and bridge volume production. Dry Molded Fiber products boast high physical strength combined with efficient use of water and energy as well as substantial reductions of CO2. The cap is expected to reach consumers in the first half of 2022, via a number of Europe’s leading online stores.

 

#2 Magnetic ink technology delivers efficient recycling material separation

US recycling optimisation business Magnomer are the proud developers of special ink technology, allowing for easier and more efficient separation of shrink labels from PET in the recycling process. Called Magmark SS, the ink is used in the shrink labels to magnetise them, meaning they can be seamlessly pulled from the PET flakes in the recycling process using a magnetic pulley structure. This has a 99.5% accuracy. The inks reportedly do not interfere with optical sort or magnets in MRFs (material recycling facilities) and front-end reclaimer operations. They are bleed-resistant and are designed to survive caustic washing. The company have already secured partnership pilots with the likes of PepsiCo and Fuji Seal.

More info in The Innovation Zone.

#3 Locally-sourced hay used to protect garden tools

Tool manufacturer Stihl France is changing its protective packaging for its garden tools from crumpled kraft paper to hay. The hay, which provides the mechanical protection needed to transport the products, can then be used as bedding for animals, to make decorative objects, or reused again to protect another package. Stihl state that nearly three-quarters (72%) of customers claim to have reused the hay packing material. The hay comes from a farm located just 10 km from the Stihl logistics centre in Quincy-Voisins (Seine-et-Marne), which from a carbon emissions point of view is better than transporting kraft paper that comes, in most cases, from Northern European paper mills. The move has been well received by consumers, with 98% approving of the change. Using hay has also turned out to be more cost effective than kraft, as it is 34% cheaper.

More info in The Innovation Zone.

#4 Long term aim of 25% reusable packaging announced

As part of its ongoing sustainability goals, Coca Cola has announced that it aims to make 25% of its beverage packaging reusable by 2030. In order to achieve this goal they will package their products in returnable glass or plastic bottles or, alternatively, in refillable containers. At present, returnable glass bottles and refillable polyethylene (PET) account for more than 50% of the company’s product sales in more than 20 markets. In 2020, Coca-Cola’s traditional refillable and returnable packaging represented around 16% of its total volume. Due to the global nature and diversity of the business, they plan to adopt different methods in each market to achieve this goal. Coca Cola states that the use of reusable packages provides added value for consumers and customers while supporting their ‘World Without Waste’ goal to collect a bottle or can for every one they sell by 2030.

 

Packaging question of the week

The Global Recycling Foundation will hold its annual Global Recycling Day for the 5th time on Friday 18 March. Will you be participating? Vote and comment on LinkedIn now. 

Last week, 65% thought that refillable or returnable bottles were the future of the beverage market.


February 2022

Innovation Zone Snapshot – Body wash launched in reusable and refillable format

Read more ›

Innovation Zone

ThePackHub Innovation Zone Snapshot

Welcome to this week’s Innovation Zone snapshot from ThePackHub.
ThePackHub collates more than 1,000 new packaging innovations a year for our Innovation Zone platform. We now have 5,610 searchable initiatives listed. We have selected four new initiatives for you today.

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

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

Book on our next packaging webinar

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 be joined by Mauro Cozzi – CEO and Co-founder of Emitwise – accounting for carbon in packaging innovation.

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

Book your free place here.

More upcoming webinars to book

Sustainable Packaging TODAY                      Recyclable Packaging Innovations
In partnership with Packaging World
More info here                                              More info here

Let’s hear your views!

E-commerce packaging fails

Vegan sales were up by 500% at Aldi UK this Veganuary

Bloomberg Intelligence also predicts that the global vegan market will grow another 24% in 2022 and will double in size in a little over three years.

So what impact might this have for the packaging industry?

Are we at the start of a significant packaging trend?
Will this be another on-pack logo that brands will strive for?
Are brands and retailers looking at doing this for their packaging?

We’d love to have your thoughts on this one.

Join the conversation and find out what others think here.

#1 Body wash launched in reusable and refillable format

Unilever in the US has launched its Dove Body Wash in a reusable and refillable format. Consumers have the choice of two different options to choose from. The more expensive option is the Dove Reusable Aluminum Bottle + Body Wash Concentrate, which is priced at $14.99 (£11.06) and is comprised of an aluminium bottle plus a squeezable concentrated body wash, which is a 4oz (114ml)  bottle that is 4x concentrated, and when diluted with water makes up 16oz (455 ml) of body wash. The body wash concentrate bottle uses 50% less plastic than a standard bottle and is made from recycled plastic. The other option is Dove Reusable Bottle + Body Wash Concentrate which has a recycled, reusable plastic bottle, along with the concentrated body wash and retails at $9.99 (£7.37) USD. The refill concentrates are priced at $6.79 (£5) USD. Both formats are available in three scents: Daily Moisture, Cucumber and Shea Butter & Warm Vanilla.

 

#2 Dishwashing brand packaged in refillable rPET pouches

Multinational packaging and paper group Mondi have collaborated with German chemical and consumer goods company Henkel to launch 100% recyclable and refillable pouches for Henkel’s dishwashing brand Pril. It is reported that the pack’s plastic content has been reduced by 70% from previous iterations, and is to be used to refill an rPET pump dispenser bottle. Simple and light to carry, consumers can easily empty the packaging without leaving any waste product within, due to its ergonomic design. The collaboration benefits both companies’ goals of packaging all of their products in 100% recyclable or reusable materials by 2025.

More info in The Innovation Zone.

#3 Plastic alternative for Finnish bedding products

Familon, a leading Finnish bedding brand, is moving away from conventional fossil-based plastic bags to a more sustainable alternative for its bedding products. Early in 2022 they started packing their products into Paptic. Also manufactured in Finland, Paptic is made from wood fibres, is reusable and recyclable with cardboard and packaging papers. The materials’ main raw material originates from sustainably managed forests, and the process for manufacturing Paptic is almost identical to that used in papermaking, and can be made on standard papermaking equipment, with a few minor modifications. The materials used to make Paptic are available as FSC certified. The innovative materials are durable, strong and and repel moisture. They have a unique haptic feature.  Familon and Paptic encourage consumers to continue using the bag before it is eventually recycled. The pillow bag can be used as a mailer, the larger quilt bag can be used for waste sorting, or as a laundry bag.

More info in The Innovation Zone.

#4 Australian researchers develop self-cleaning bioplastic

Researchers at the RMIT (Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology) in Australia have announced that they have developed a self-cleaning bioplastic that they hope will be able to prevent food waste and also aid recycling processes in food and beauty markets. The new bioplastic is based on the lotus leaf, which is native to Northern Australia. It is notoriously water-repellent, and the new bioplastic has been designed to mimic its properties. Lotus leaves are renowned for having some of the most water-repellent surfaces known, and is due to the leaf’s surface structure, which is tiny pillars topped with a waxy layer, meaning it makes the surface almost impossible to get dirty. Commercial applications of this self-cleaning bioplastic could be in food or beauty packaging applications. The self-cleaning feature of this bioplastic removes the friction and lets a product easily slide down, for such products as ketchup, mayonnaise, toothpaste or sun cream where it is difficult to remove all the product.

 

Packaging question of the week

By 2030, 25% of Coca-Cola beverages will be in refillable or returnable bottles. Is this the future for the beverage market? Vote and comment on LinkedIn now. 

Last week, 70% thought that we’d see more plastic reduction/elimination in 2022. 30% thought there would be more carbon reduction initiatives.


February 2022

Innovation Zone Snapshot – Elimination of fossil-based snack packaging is long term goal

Read more ›

Innovation Zone

ThePackHub Innovation Zone Snapshot

Welcome to this week’s Innovation Zone snapshot from ThePackHub.
ThePackHub collates more than 1,000 new packaging innovations a year for our Innovation Zone platform. We now have 5,574 searchable initiatives listed. We have selected four new initiatives for you today.

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

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

Book on our next packaging webinar

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 be joined by Mauro Cozzi – CEO and Co-founder of Emitwise – accounting for carbon in packaging innovation.

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

Book your free place here.

Just announced: Recyclable Packaging Innovations – Thursday 19th May – book your free place here. 

Let’s hear your views!

E-commerce packaging fails

You need only to search #packagingfail on social media to see lots of posts from angry consumers venting their frustrations with recent online delivery packaging. Feedback has never been so quick, so public and so brutal.

ThePackHub tracks lots of development in the fast-growing e-commerce sector to make packaging fit for purpose with ‘rightsizing’ high on the agenda.

Is enough being done?
Packaging that is the right size doesn’t make social media right?
What is your experience as a consumer?

We’d love to hear your thoughts.

Join the conversation and find out what others think here.

#1 Elimination of fossil-based snack packaging is long term goal

As part of Pepsico’s strategic sustainability goals, known as Pepsico Positive, the business has announced that they intend to eliminate virgin fossil-based plastic for its crisp and snack bags by 2030. This will include their brands such as Walker’s, Doritos and Lays. As part of this commitment, they will start trials in France on the Lay’s brand, with 30% bio-based renewable packaging. Then, in the UK, later in the year, one of the ranges of the Walker’s brand will commence trials with recycled content. The content in the packs will be derived from previously used plastic and the renewable content will come from by-products of plants such as used cooking oil or waste from paper pulp. Pepsico hopes to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by moving to virgin, fossil-free materials. Already in the UK, PepsiCo has reduced some of its multipack outer packaging by up to 30% using innovative technology in its manufacturing facilities.

 

#2 Twin flip tube houses two distinct products

The UDN Packaging Corporation, based in the city of Shenzhen, close to Hong Kong, has launched what they call the UDN Twin Flip Tube. This new solution is a two compartment tube with separate flip top lids. Aimed at the personal care and cosmetics market, it is designed for dispensing two distinct products that work well together when mixed but cannot be stored in a single container. The two independent flip covers keep the process clean and easy. The UDN Packaging Corporation was founded in 2003 and specialises in tube packaging solutions for cosmetics, personal care, FMCG, medication, food and skin care. They have over 75 patents, and over the years have developed over 350 types of cap and 215 types of head style. It is not clear about the potential recyclability of the solution.

More info in The Innovation Zone.

#3 Colour-changing technology indicates product temperature

Australian packaging manufacturer Caps & Closures have developed a new packaging initiative called ThermoShield. The solution indicates to the user the internal temperature of the product inside, using colour-changing thermochromic technology, which directly responds to temperature changes.  The cap works between a temperature range of -20°C and +70°C. In order to show any change, a temperature shift of at least 30 degrees needs to take place. Caps & Closures have introduced an easy process for brands to personalise and adapt the packaging to their own needs, allowing them to customise the type of closure used, trigger temperature, and even the colours used. The pack is free from BPA (Bisphenol A) and phthalates, and it is safe for contact with food.

More info in The Innovation Zone.

#4 Paper-based dips are fully compostable

Castlemaine Kitchen, an Australian manufacturer of dips, has launched a new range in paper-based packaging. It is packaged in fully compostable paper tubs with a board sleeve and what appears to be a distinctive die cut logo. It has been launched under the Nuffin brand. Castlemaine Kitchen hopes to eliminate 25 tonnes of plastic annually, most of which it claims would end up in landfills or waterways. Although made primarily from kraft paper, the tubs have a very thin layer of PLA (polylactic acid), a plant-based bioplastic as a barrier, which means that the whole tub is compostable. The tubs are sealed with an aluminium foil lid, which can be recycled separately. The tubs and sleeves are recommended to be recycled in Australia’s green FOGO (commercial composting) bins. The new format was extensively tested prior to launch for durability. The dips come in four varieties, Hommus, Tzatziki, Chive & Onion and Fetta & Cracked Pepper. The Nuffin dips range can be purchased in Woolworths Supermarkets and Metro stores.

 

Packaging question of the week

Which one of these will we see the most in the packaging industry in 2022? Vote and comment on LinkedIn now.

Last week, 78% thought that the growth of NFC (near-field communication) and RFID (Radio-frequency identification) packaging will continue this year.


February 2022

Innovation Zone Snapshot – Colour technology delivers limitless customisation for aluminium cans

Read more ›

Innovation Zone

ThePackHub Innovation Zone Snapshot

Welcome to this week’s Innovation Zone snapshot from ThePackHub.
ThePackHub collates more than 1,000 new packaging innovations a year for our Innovation Zone platform. We now have 5,550 searchable initiatives listed. We have selected four new initiatives for you today.

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

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

Book on our next packaging webinar

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 be joined by Mauro Cozzi – CEO and Co-founder of Emitwise – accounting for carbon in packaging innovation.

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

Book your free place here.

Just announced: Recyclable Packaging Innovations – Thursday 19th May – book your free place here. 

Let’s hear your views!

Refillable Toothpaste packaging

This eye-catching recent initiative from Turkish designers Pelin Özbalcı and  is still at concept stage. ThePackHub has tracked a few refillable packs for toothpaste in recent times. Refillable and reusable packaging continues to be utilised across many different product categories.
Toothpaste is perhaps not the ideal product to try to decant from one pack to another. Is this something you could see working or are there better solutions to reduce the environmental impact of the category?

Let us know your thoughts.

Join the conversation and find out what others think here.

#1 Colour technology delivers limitless customisation for aluminium cans

The humble and well-established aluminium can doesn’t tend to change much, so it is good to see a customisation technology development being deployed n this area. Luxembourg-based producer of glass and metal products Ardagh have developed a hugely versatile technology, allowing brands to fully customise the design of their beverage can packaging. Called ‘H!ghend’, the technology uses cyan, magenta, yellow and black combinations (CMYK) to create limitless colour varieties and even text or images, which can be used by brands to fully express and communicate messages of flavour or importance. Brands can also opt to upgrade the colour to ‘H1ghend Pro’, offering different and more varied graphical possibilities and further customisation.

 

#2 Bike range launched in recyclable packaging

Alicante, Spain-based bike company Mondraker have launched a new packaging initiative. As a brand, they appreciate that bikes are an excellent carbon-avoiding method of transport, so they wanted to maintain the sustainable aspects of bike-riding by transitioning their bicycles into 100% recyclable cardboard packaging, with no plastic in use. The packaging mainly consists of cardboard, but the adhesive tape used is apparently derived from rice and the security seal is made from potato pulp, making the whole pack fully recyclable or compostable. The packaging is also delivered with two hook-and-loop fastener straps to encourage reuse. An additional benefit is the reduction of assembly time for the bikes, due to the efficient positioning of the bike within.

More info in The Innovation Zone.

#3 Inflatable packaging concept can incorporate many different product sizes

The e-commerce channel continues to grow at pace and has nearly doubled in size since before the pandemic. This huge growth has inevitably caused a rise in packaging waste that is not recycled or reused and ends up in landfill. A reusable solution to this problem is from French designer Simon Chantrel, who has developed INFLATE – a reusable pack concept specifically for e-commerce that is intended to replace the single-use disposable cardboard boxes in use by many large companies today. The inflation aspect of the packaging means it can be used for many different product sizes, simply by inflating is less or more. Once the consumer has received their product delivery in this packaging, they can return it to a collection point for its reuse. It is not clear what the process is to inflate and then deflate the pack.

More info in The Innovation Zone.

#4 Sustainable paper cup aims to redefine disposability

Tel Aviv-based startup QUPP have introduced a paper cup with a stirrer attached, with the aim of redefining the meaning of the word “disposable”. QUPP aimed to design a pack that could truly be “disposed” of while adhering to the needs of the “disposable” supply chain – from production, consumer use and all the way through to post-consumer impact in the environment. The integrated stir tab is a great point of difference and is reported to be 75% lighter than the current lightest stirrer on the market. The cup uses FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified paper which is 100% recyclable due to the lack of a plastic lining, and is also standard size so is compatible with conventional lids. Additional sustainability benefits include the fact that the pack can be made on a single production line, saving costs and making the production process simpler.

 

Packaging question of the week

Will the growth of NFC (near-field communication) and RFID (Radio-frequency identification) packaging continue this year? Vote and comment on LinkedIn now. 

Last week, 79% thought that Morrison’s move to replace ‘use by’ dates on most of its milk products to ‘best before’ was a step in the right direction.


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