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ThePackHub Innovation Zone Snapshot

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

New Webinar – Designing an Effective E-Commerce Package in Today’s Competitive Packaging Landscape

In this webinar, you’ll learn:
• How to satisfy both product protection and sustainability for an effective package
• How COVID-19 played a part in the e-commerce boom
• How to address issues like porch piracy, anti-counterfeiting and authentication
• The best new e-commerce and omnichannel methods and strategies for your next project

Book your free place here.

New – 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.

NEW – Watch ThePackHub’s last webinar

We are joined by Mauro Cozzi CEO and co-founder of carbon footprint reduction experts Emitwise. Hosted by Paul Jenkins and Barrington Pamplin of ThePackHub.

Do you have a sustainable packaging innovation worthy of national recognition?

ThePackHub is collaborating with the Packaging Innovation show at the NEC, Birmingham May 25th & 26th for their Ecopack Challenge. Paul Jenkins of ThePackHub is one of the judges alongside Jane Bevis of OPRL, Laura Fernandez of Ocado and Simon Oxley of Pret.

The Ecopack Challenge was conceived with the intention to challenge the packaging industry by placing sustainability at the focus of its operations.

You can enter the Ecopack Challenge here.

If you want to discuss a potential entry, contact Paul Jenkins for more information.

#1 World-first reusable pouch with tracking system hits market

UK reusable packaging pioneers Bower Collective have introduced what is claimed as a world-first reusable pouch. The BowerPack can be used up to 10 times before it is recycled by the company through a specialised partner. The pouch utilises a one-way valve system, which only allows liquids to flow in one direction out of the pack. This should prevent contaminants from entering the packaging. BowerPack utilises an innovative tracking system, using digital infrastructure experts Reath’s unique digital passports to give each pouch an individual and distinguishable identity, adding an extra layer of security to the constant reuse of the pack, and allowing the company to know which product is in any pouch at any given moment. The customer also gains from the use of the tracking system – they can scan the QR code and check for themselves how many times their pack has been reused, and how much carbon and plastic waste has been prevented. Once a customer is finished with the pack, they simply pack it into an envelope and send it to Bower who will clean and get them ready for reuse again.

#2 Chocolate manufacturing food waste used for new biomaterial

A material designer from Germany is using food waste from chocolate factories to create a solid biomaterial. Paula Nerlich, who is now studying for a PhD at Newcastle University in the UK, has developed a product called COCOA, a material composed of 50% of the shells that initially protect the cocoa beans, mixed with other vegan, compostable and more environmentally friendly ingredients. She selected this ingredient, which represents several tons of surplus every year. Indeed, in the cocoa industry, only the bean is important and only parts of the surplus from chocolate production find further use. Many attempts were undertaken before being fully satisfied with the texture of her material and its physical form. Once this had been achieved a collaboration with Canada-based Punctuate Design to create a physical product from her new material. with whom KUSK was developed, a speculative container concept for the cosmetics industry.

More info in The Innovation Zone.

#3 Muesli pouch can be rolled for easy recycling

O F Packaging is an Australian packaging company that specialises in sustainable flexible and carton packaging. They have now been awarded The Diamond award at the Dow 2021 Packaging Innovation Awards, which is the highest honour, and had 189 entries, leading to 36 shortlisted finalists. The solution is a high barrier, kerbside recyclable Muesli Pouch for muesli manufacturer Brookfarm. Once the pack is empty, the flat pack can be rolled up into a tube by the consumer and secured with a label that is attached to the pack, ready for kerbside collection and subsequent recycling. The recyclable muesli pouch, as part of the Australian Roll ‘n’ Recycle programme, took over a year of development and testing.

More info in The Innovation Zone.

#4 Cheese traceability enhanced via microchipped labels

ThePackHub Expert Interview

Packaging question of the week

Are you seeing more carbon neutral/negative promoted packaging introductions? Vote and comment on LinkedIn now. 

Last week, 87% say that packaging material shortages are causing delays or changes to their sustainability plans.

ThePackHub Innovation Zone Snapshot

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

New – Book on our next 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.

NEW – Watch ThePackHub’s last webinar

We are joined by Mauro Cozzi CEO and co-founder of carbon footprint reduction experts Emitwise. Hosted by Paul Jenkins and Barrington Pamplin of ThePackHub.

Do you have a sustainable packaging innovation worthy of national recognition?

ThePackHub is collaborating with the Packaging Innovation show at the NEC, Birmingham May 25th & 26th for their Ecopack Challenge. Paul Jenkins of ThePackHub is one of the judges alongside Jane Bevis of OPRL, Laura Fernandez of Ocado and Simon Oxley of Pret.

The Ecopack Challenge was conceived with the intention to challenge the packaging industry by placing sustainability at the focus of its operations.

You can enter the Ecopack Challenge here.

If you want to discuss a potential entry, contact Paul Jenkins for more information.

#1 Next-generation paper bottle includes paper closure

Paboco, a Danish paper bottle manufacturer, has announced that it is a step closer to achieving its goal of having a 100% paper-based bottle. In a partnership with Swedish start-up Blue Ocean Closures, they have intentions to include a recyclable paper closure that fits the paper threaded neck of its bottle prototype. Blue Ocean Closures claims that its screw cap solutions are fully bio-based, with a top-seal barrier layer that can be biodegradable or adapted to any type of filled goods. Meanwhile, Paboco says its paper threaded neck allows for the cap to be screwed directly onto the paper bottle, avoiding adding further processing steps or non-fibre materials. Paboco’s current prototype bottle features a very thin PE (polyethylene) internal lining, but they are actively looking at bio-based liquid barrier solutions. Paboco claims that the thin PE coating is a common barrier material for paper in the recycling stream.

#2 Compostable solution introduced with reduced pack noise

Snack manufacturer and PepsiCo subsidiary Frito-Lay have introduced 100% biobased packaging for a second time. They originally introduced plant-based packaging on their SunChips product as far back as 2010. However, the brand made the headlines at the time not about the brand’s move to renewable packaging and more about the bags’ noisiness, with many consumers complaining that the noise was just too much to bear. The new bags, supplied by Atlanta-based PrintPack are made of non-food, plant-based materials with newly developed compostable inks. A QR code directs consumers on locating composting drop-off sites or how to obtain a prepaid shipping label for the bags to be mailed to TerraCycle. Currently, the packaging is being used for Frito-Lay’s Off the Eaten Path chips. According to PrintPack, the new bags utilise special sound/frequency dampening technology employed in the structure to reduce the overall volume.

More info in The Innovation Zone.

#3 Labelless PET bottles launched in Japan

Material reduction programmes continue to be a priority for brand owners. Japanese tea company Kirin is removing labels from their PET bottles, for their Gogo no Kocha sugar-free tea. During the early stages of the pandemic, Kirin trialled this method of labelless packaging, using cardboard boxes with brand and nutritional information printed on them. This allowed them to remove the labels from their bottles without affecting consumer experience. The removal of labels is seen as an issue during the process of recycling PET bottles, because either consumers will have to do it or the recycling firms will have to do it. The bottles will now be more easily recycled at the end of their use, saving costs and making the whole process quicker.

More info in The Innovation Zone.

#4 Cicada wings bacteria-killing qualities inspires new food packaging format

New – ThePackHub Expert Interview

Packaging question of the week

Are packaging material shortages causing delays or changes to your sustainability plans? Vote and comment on LinkedIn now. 

Last week, 60% claimed that soft drinks taste better in glass. Only 18% say that the material makes no difference.

ThePackHub Innovation Zone Snapshot

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

New – Book on our next 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.

NEW – Watch ThePackHub’s last webinar

We are joined by Mauro Cozzi CEO and co-founder of carbon footprint reduction experts Emitwise. Hosted by Paul Jenkins and Barrington Pamplin of ThePackHub.

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 Post consumer recycled PP refill tubs reduce supply chain carbon footprint

French natural skincare, beauty and organic cosmetics producer L’Occitane en Provence has collaborated with VPI, part of the Faiveley Plast group, who specialise in injection moulded plastic parts for use in luxury goods. Together they have developed a new refill tub made from 100% PCR (post-consumer recycled) PP (polypropylene). The companies say that the 100% PCR PP reuses fossil resources, thus reducing the use of virgin fossil-based plastics. In addition, the lightweight rPP reportedly offers a lower carbon footprint across the entire supply chain. The refill method means consumers initially purchase the tub along with aluminium packaging that the tub fits inside. The heat-sealed tubs can then be replaced and reloaded into the aluminium packaging for future purchases. The design of the grip creates an unsnapping and re-snapping closure, which reportedly ensures a user-friendly and pleasant mode of use. The refill tub will be used for its Shea Ultra Rich Body Cream.

#2 Lidless cup starts Canadian rollout

Fast-food chain A&W Canada is piloting a fully recyclable, compostable coffee cup. The solution, from UK-based company Butterfly Cup, has no straw, lid or plastic lining and is suitable for hot and cold beverages. A&W claims to be the first quick-service restaurant in North America to pilot the Butterfly Cup. The Butterfly Cup has numerous worldwide patents, is said to biodegrade naturally and quickly in the right conditions, can be recycled with other paper-based products, and is also said to be cost-effective. The board used to manufacture the Butterfly Cup is both FSC (Forestry Stewardship Council) and PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) approved. The pilot initiative was rolled out in participating restaurants across the Greater Toronto area earlier this week.

More info in The Innovation Zone.

#3 Mobile refill scheme goes direct to Orlando communities

Good Fills is an Orlando Florida start-up that started in January 2022 and offers a mobile refill service for soaps and laundry items, among other household items. The mobile service visits community and farmer’s markets in the Orlando area, with times and dates available on the Good Fills website. For first time customers, they offer bottles for sale that meet FTC and FDA regulations. If you’re a returning customer, they ask you to bring back your bottles. If you’re done with your bottles, they will buy them back for $2. They sell their products by weight, but are happy to approximate any volume you desire. The container weight is subtracted out so you only pay for what you need. Good Fills is a mobile zero-waste store aiming to reduce plastic consumption by refilling family-friendly soaps, detergents, and cleaners, and have curated a selection of eco-friendly positioned national brands and boutique hand-crafted local brands.

More info in The Innovation Zone.

#4 Dry moulded fibre coffee lid makes Swedish introduction

New – ThePackHub Expert Interview

Packaging question of the week

Are raw material shortages affecting your packaging business? Vote and comment on LinkedIn now. 

Last week, 77% claimed that the war in Ukraine putting additional pressure on your packaging supply chain.