Startup Snapshot: This Week in Packaging Innovation
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The Award Goes To… A Sneak Peek at The Standout Nominees
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Packaging Startup Award winners announced
ThePackHub’s inaugural Packaging Startup Awards, sponsored by Ocado, culminated in a much-anticipated awards ceremony during London Packaging Week on Friday, 22nd September.
A distinguished panel of 15 judges, comprising brand owners and retailers with lots of packaging industry expertise, rigorously evaluated the submissions. This year’s competition attracted an impressive 94 entries from around the globe, spread across six categories.
Paul Jenkins, Managing Director of ThePackHub, and Laura Fernandez, Senior Packaging Sustainability Manager at Ocado Retail, had the honour of announcing the winners.
The packaging startups that took home the awards have each set a high bar in innovation, sustainability, and creative design. We are delighted to shine a spotlight on their commendable accomplishments.
And now, without further delay, let us unveil and celebrate this year’s distinguished winners:
Alternative Materials
Releaf Paper
Connected Packaging
Konvoy
Increased Functionality
Choose Planet A (The Good Cup)
Online
Bulkify LImited (Moree)
Refill & Reuse
Dizzie
Waste Reduction
ecomlr
We will be featuring each winner in more detail soon.
https://packagingstartupawards.com/live/en/page/home
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Who will pick up the top prizes next week?
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
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Innovation Zone Snapshot – Special edition ketchup label incorporates plantable tomato seeds
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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 Special edition ketchup label incorporates plantable tomato seeds
Kraft Heinz has announced the introduction of a special edition ketchup bottle designed to promote the core tomato product ingredient. The new bottle for the Brazilian market incorporates a plantable label that consumers can then grow their own tomatoes. The goal of the “First Tomato” activity is to highlight the ketchup’s main ingredient. The brand originated the activity following consumer insight that many still don’t believe that Heinz Ketchup is essentially made from tomatoes. The campaign has been developed by the São Paulo headquartered Africa Agency. The brand wanted to show that the quality of its product comes from the naturalness of the ingredients hence encouraging consumers to plant their Heinz tomatoes at home. Consumers who buy 55 reais (£7.50) or more in Heinz products at Pão de Açúcar’s e-commerce channel can win the Heinz Ketchup complete with the plantable label.
#2 Wood fibre-based material looks like plastic or glass
Premium paperboard company Holmen Iggesund has announced the introduction of a new wood material that can be used as a replacement for glass or plastic. The aim of the Conic prototype is to help brands achieve their sustainability goals whilst also supporting shelf and in-the-hand pack impact. The new wood fibre-based and malleable material looks like plastic or glass and uses an emerging technology developed by Holmen Iggesund, which makes it possible to replace plastic with natural materials in malleable products. The solution is seen as having the most likely initial applications for the cosmetics industry, which has many products in plastic formats that can now be made of these durable wood fibre materials. The first prototype conceived is a conically shaped filling cup and a transparent container, which can be used for creams or liquid soaps. The product is packed in an outer box incorporating Holmen Iggesund’s multi-layered Solid Bleached Board Invercote carton. The pre-launch prototype requires further development work including the conception of an industrial demonstration plant.
More info in The Innovation Zone.
#3 Prototype rPET water bottle developed that uses no and low-value plastics
Danone-owned leading water brand Evian has announced the culmination of a four-year collaboration with Canada-based recycling technology developers Loop Industries. The fruits of the development partnership is a ground-breaking prototype rPET bottle that utilises no and low-value plastics. These materials might otherwise go to waste. The technology can utilise PET plastic waste from a range of sources including plastic collected from the ocean as well as coloured and opaque plastics. The process involves breaking down plastic waste into monomers, which are purified and then repolymerised into virgin quality Loop PET plastic. The aim of the rPET prototypes is to enable more plastics to be kept in use and lessen the reliance on fossil fuel sourced plastics. Evian has vowed to switch to 100% recycled plastics for all of its plastic bottles by 2025. The new Loop plastic recycling technology will be rolled out across all markets.
More info in The Innovation Zone.
#4 Smaller gravy drums save 40 tonnes of paper per year
Premier Foods, the owners of the UK’s favourite gravy brand, Bisto, has announced that it has made the drums that their gravy granules are sold in smaller in height by 8mm. The move to the shallower tub is reported to save 40 tonnes of paper per annum. Bisto is manufactured at Premier’s plant in Worksop, Nottinghamshire, which required significant changes to the production lines. This included new sensors to be able to detect the shorter tubs, and alterations to sealing and capping equipment. The new pack will contain an extra 20g of product, the equivalent of six servings, but the price per serving will remain the same. The move will be across the range of flavours, which includes Beef, Chicken, Turkey, Onion and Vegetable. The Worksop site produces 50 million tubs of granules annually. They are also currently investigating alternative materials for their recyclable plastic lid.
More info in The Innovation Zone.
Packaging question of the week
How does your recycling change when you are on holiday/vacation? Vote and comment now.
Last week, 59% will be attending a face-to-face packaging trade show, exhibition or conference before the end of the year.
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.
Innovation Zone Snapshot – Chocolate range gets recyclable overhaul
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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 Chocolate range gets recyclable overhaul
Confectionary giants The Ferrero Group has announced that its iconic Ferrero Rocher range will switch to a more recyclable box with reduced materials use. The packaging has been criticised by some in the past for its lack of recyclability. The “new eco-designed boxes” are the outcome of a partnership between Ferrero Group’s R&D department and materials science experts Milliken. The transition to a recyclable box apparently saw the development of more than 29 different plastic resins iterations. The final design is made from PP, which is easier to recycle across markets around the world. The new design will use 40% less plastic for its 16-piece box and 38% less plastic for its 30-piece box. The company further calculates that approximately 2,000 tonnes of plastic globally will be saved in the first year of rollout and will have at least a 30% lower carbon footprint. The box will maintain its transparency and will see a phased roll-out in markets across the globe. The initiative is part of Ferrero’s commitment to making 100% of its packaging reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025.
#2 Refillable packaging scheme moves in-store
Market-leading UK supermarket chain Tesco is now offering a range of reusable packaging for some of the major brands in trial stores to reduce the use of single-use packaging. The retailer has previously worked with Loop with an online refill offering with the next phase of the programme to move to in-store availability. When customers visit the Loop display within 10 selected English stores, they can expect to see more than 80 brands in refillable packaging. When they are finished with the contents of the packs, they can return to the Tesco store where it will be cleaned and restocked to be sold again. A deposit of £0.20 is paid per product and will be refunded through the use of an app upon return to the Loop display within the Tesco store.
More info in The Innovation Zone.
#3 Rainbow recyclable packaging for chocolate brand
UK-based multinational packaging giants DS Smith are collaborating with Dutch chocolate company Tony’s Chocolonely to launch a six-pack of chocolate with fully recyclable packaging. The distinctive ane impactful multipack has a viewing window on both sides, allowing the shopper to see the “rainbow range” of chocolate. The bottom of the pack folds inwards and secures, so the chocolate can be easily packaged and closed. The mono-material pack, which incorporates a useful carry handle, is made from 100% corrugated cardboard, allowing for the easy recycling of the pack in standard paper waste streams across markets. This pack has been delivered in accordance with DS Smith’s goal to produce only reusable or recyclable packaging by 2023.
More info in The Innovation Zone.
#4 PaperLock technology keeps potatoes fresh as well as reducing plastic use
Tasteful Selections has announced the launch of plastic-free potato packaging. The introduction of the recyclable and compostable packaging is in line with a fruit and veg sector industry trend to switch out of plastic-based materials. This new paper packaging with ‘PaperLock’ technology offers both light protection and absorption properties that protect the produce as well as reduce the amount of plastic used. The new packaging has been in development for a long time which has seen improvements in fibre strength and packaging integrity to make the item more comparable with plastic
More info in The Innovation Zone.
Packaging question of the week
Will you be attending a face-to-face packaging trade show, exhibition or conference before the end of the year? Vote and comment now.
Last week, 89% think that consumers need more incentives to increase their recycling.
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.
Innovation Zone Snapshot – Yoghurt cup made with 80% paperboard reduces plastic usage
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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 Yoghurt cup made with 80% paperboard reduces plastic usage
US yoghurt brand Chobani has introduced a new paper-based cup with the objective of reducing the amount of plastic used. The cup is 80% paperboard and has a plastic lining to create a barrier. The paperboard is made from responsibly sourced and renewable material. The move is a first for a national dairy brand in the US market. The cups are not yet widely recyclable due to the current infrastructure of the US recycling industry. The aim is to reduce the amount of plastic used compared with regular plastic yoghurt cups. Chobani worked closely with its packaging supplier to ensure that an airtight seal and the same shelf-life were achieved. The new packs will have ‘new paper-based cup’ on the pack. The initiative demanded almost two years to develop and Chobani aim to roll this out across their wider portfolio in due course.
#2 Beer handle pack diminishes plastic use by 70%
The beer multipack collation market is undergoing a lot of change with many changes coming to market that primarily focus on reducing or eradicating plastic use. No specific new format appears to be dominating with several constructions coming to our attention at the Innovation Zone. Skol beer brand has announced the commencement of a new packaging format pilot that promised to reduce the amount of plastic used by 70% for their beer packs. The Snap Pack replaces the previously used shrink film. The new solution wraps around the cans with a useful handle attached directly to the top of the packaging. The cans are fixed together with the use of glue dots. The new beer packs will be tested in Ribeirão Preto. The product is in line with Ambev’s intention of zero plastic pollution by 2025.
More info in The Innovation Zone.
#3 Gas-tight coating helps to extend fizziness of drinks
Researchers at the Ruhr University Bochum (RUB) in Germany have found a way of extending the fizziness of cola for much longer than is normally achieved. Thanks to a process called Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapour Deposition (PEVCD), an extremely thin gas-tight coating of a few nanometers thick can be applied to the inside of a PET (polyethylene terephthalate) bottle. This reduces the escape of gas by 20-100 times, thereby extending the shelf life of fizzy drinks from four weeks to around a year. The coating is very environmentally friendly too, as the amount of coating used is negligible. The process could be of interest to other areas of the food industry, such as milk production and for extending the shelf life of other foodstuffs. It could also have some applications for medicines and microelectronics.
More info in The Innovation Zone.
#4 Soap in refillable corrugated board pack reduces plastic use
California-based Lab Clean, a manufacturer of environmentally conscious health and beauty soaps for personal care, has announced the launch of a foaming soap product that comes in a refillable corrugated board pack. The product, launched under the Bayes brand, consists of a plastic pouch with a spout at its base inside a corrugated box, reducing plastic use by around 70%. The internal pouch is said to comprise only 25% of the overall packaging weight. The product comes in four different fragrances, Lavender, Lemon Basil, Rosemary Mint and Eucalyptus Lavender, and the pouches contain 2 litres (67 fl oz). Lab Clean has produced Bayes Foaming Hand Soap using plant-derived ingredients, which is confirmed by the USDA as ‘Biobased Certified.’ The Bayes Eco Refill box is available for purchase on Amazon.
More info in The Innovation Zone.
Packaging question of the week
Do you use in-store soft plastic recycling schemes? Vote and comment now.
Last week, 27% have home composting
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.
Innovation Zone Snapshot – Scottish brand uses aluminium cans for coffee beans
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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 Scottish brand uses aluminium cans for coffee beans
ThePackHub’s Innovation Zone have been documenting several occurrences of aluminium drinks cans being used for products outside of the beverage industry. See for example Cakes in aluminium cans appeal to on-the-go consumers. Another example of a brand doing this is a new innovation from Manifesto Coffee, based in Perth, Scotland. The innovation centres around the typical waste generated from coffee, and how the founder of Manifesto disliked the lack of perceived sustainability created. The brand has launched coffee beans in drinks cans, allowing coffee packaging to be fully recycled as well as creating a distinctive point of difference in store.
#2 Alternative fast food packaging starts German trial
Chilean circular economy company Algramo facilitates consumers to purchase affordable, refillable containers as part of a circular and sustainable model. The model began in Santiago with packs being refilled in mobile units close to consumers’ homes. Following an injection of $8.5 million, they are now looking to expand further within Chile, as well as starting pilot schemes in Mexico, Colombia and the United Kingdom. Using point of sale dispensing displays, consumers use their purchased reusable packaging to refill with any one of a range of products, including dry products such as rice, chickpeas, lentils, sugar and pet food, and also wet products such as laundry detergents and conditioners. An online site, along with a mobile app and reusable smart packaging are combined with a digitally verified top-up option known as PaaW (Packaging as a Wallet). Unilever and Purina are currently on board, and advanced talks are in progress with Colgate Palmolive and Walmart.
More info in The Innovation Zone.
#3 Process to recycle black plastic in development
Global manufacturer of personal, home care, and foods products, Unilever has announced that they have patented a process whereby products made from coloured PCR (post-consumer resin) can be successfully recycled. Black plastic packaging has been problematic for recycling systems using NIR (near infra-red) sorting, but by using a new multilayer format, Unilever’s new process allows these to be successfully recycled. The outer layer is made up of black coloured 95% PCR HDPE (high density polyethylene). A NIR coloured masterbatch enabled a more intense colour to be achieved. A thinner outer layer of the N-PCR (natural plastic recyclate) is then combined with a thicker inner layer of at least 50% coloured plastic waste (J-PCR). In order to avoid malodours associated with J-PCR, an additional inner layer of N-PCR can be added. Both materials are readily available, N-PCR being derived from milk and dairy bottles, and J-PCR from coloured bottles used in other consumer applications.
More info in The Innovation Zone.
#4 Plastic and recycled board combination blister pack launched
German thermoforming machinery manufacturer Illig have brought to market a plastic and recycled board combination blister pack as an alternative to conventional all plastic structures. The new solution, called I-Pack, reduces plastic content by over 50%. Illig’s HSU 35b system is suitable for blister packs that are a combination of board/plastic/board, known as a double card blister, or solid board, suitable for non-food items. It is available in a number of blister heights and can be configured with 3, 6, 8, 10 or 12 cavities. The board sections of the pack are easily separated for ease of recycling, while a large sealing edge allows for an airtight closure. A number of equipment options are available such as automatic product feed, carton blister fixation, brochure inserts, marking and coding systems. The system is modular, allowing flexibility and efficiency for owners and co-packers.
More info in The Innovation Zone.
Packaging question of the week
Do you have home composting? Vote and comment now.
Last week, 61% do not find it easy to recycle on the go.
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.
Innovation Zone Snapshot – Reusable e-commerce packaging makes French introduction
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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 Reusable e-commerce packaging makes French introduction
Online shopping has increased significantly over the last decade or so further fuelled by changes to consumer behaviour due to the Covid-19 pandemic. This has increased the need for sustainable packaging and ways to mitigate the amount of extra waste created. French e-commerce company CDiscount is collaborating with startup Hipli to offer their online customers reusable packaging that can be used up to 100 times to avoid 25 kilograms of waste per reusable pack. The packaging has been delivered with versatility in mind in terms of the number of items it can carry. It can fold and unfold to fit through letterboxes. After consumers have had their products delivered, they can send the pack back at no cost to them.
#2 Alternative fast food packaging starts German trial
McDonald’s Germany is currently trialling alternative packaging in 30 stores. The current board packaging has been replaced with thin paper wrappers, which it says equates to a saving of around 70% of material. The trial will run for a few months in order to give customers the opportunity to give feedback on the alternative packaging. If feedback is positive, the new format could be rolled out across all German restaurants quickly. Since May 2021, the “Deutschlandburger” and McWraps have been sold in paper containing a percentage of grass, rather than board boxes. Plastic straws have also been eliminated and replaced by paper versions, and plastic dessert packaging has also been replaced with a plastic-free alternative. Also, since 2020 McDonald’s Happy Meals toys no longer contain batteries and are increasingly packed in paper.
More info in The Innovation Zone.
#3 Patented recyclable PE film helps keep chicken fresh
Michigan-based Dow Chemicals has launched its Phormanto™, PE (polyethylene) film offering into the Colombian chilled chicken market. The solution is said to keep chicken fresh for up to two weeks, while also offering reliability, hygiene and safety. It is also recyclable. The thermoformable PE Phormanto™ technology is patented and has a breathable structure and has a high transparency. Fresh chicken is the latest product to be packed successfully in Phormanto™, thanks to the collaboration with packaging machinery manufacturers Ulma. The packs are said to be leak-proof, have improved visual appearance and can be presented vertically on supermarket shelves. It has been calculated that using this format, in-store waste can be reduced by an estimated 40%. Previous products packed in Phormanto™ include cheese, sausages and snacks.
More info in The Innovation Zone.
#4 Chromic ink technology helps spirit brand stand out
Phillips Distilling Company, based in Minneapolis in the States, has announced the launch of two new ink-based packaging innovations. The first is a vodka called UV, which has a photochromic design that activates a spectrum of colours when exposed to UV sunlight. When exposed to light, colourful wave designs appear on the neck and primary label. When removed from light the colours disappear leaving the black UV logo. According to research, sunlight-activated inks drive a purchase intent of 64%. The second innovation is that of a vodka called Cubist which is said to be the first “Freezer Vodka™”. This vodka is specifically designed to be stored in the freezer and has a thermochromic label that changes blue when the vodka has reached its optimum temperature, zero degrees Celsius, or lower. Research has shown that vodka drinkers prefer their vodka ice cold and often store it in the freezer.
More info in The Innovation Zone.
Packaging question of the week
Do you find it easy to recycle on the go? Vote and comment now.
Last week, 57% have used reusable takeaway packaging.
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.
Innovation Zone Snapshot – Plastic tube development includes 40% recycled content
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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 tube development includes 40% recycled content
A new plastic tube that includes over 40% recycled content has been developed in a four-way partnership. Huhtamaki, LyondellBassell, Plastuni Lisses and Groupe Rocher have combined on the new solution. Each company took ownership of a particular part of the process. The resin was supplied by LyonellBassell, the laminate material was manufactured by Huhtamaki, the tube was manufactured by Plastuni Lisses, and Groupe Rocher is the brand owner. The resins used by LyondellBassell are from their CirculenRenew polymers, and are manufactured with renewable feedstock derived from waste and residues including used cooking oil, utilising a mass balance approach. They are certified under the ISCC (International Sustainability and Carbon Certification) PLUS standard. The new tube is said to be suitable for product applications in the cosmetics, personal care, oral care, and food sectors.
#2 Snack caddies now fully recyclable
Pladis, the global confectionery and snack food company, has announced that they have made their Jacob’s Mini Cheddars and Cheeselets caddies fully recyclable. They are using Sonoco’s EnviroCan and will also intend to extend this to their Cracker Crisp and Twiglets products later this year. The new caddies are made from 100% recyclable paperboard and can be recycled along with other paper and board products. The move is part of a larger initiative by Pladis to make all of its packaging recyclable reusable or compostable by 2025, with the aim of saving up to 600 tonnes of packaging from going to landfill. Last year, the Mini Cheddars outer packaging was reduced in both height and board grade, which Pladis states means fewer trucks on the road and a saving of over 127 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually. They have also committed to the complete removal of black plastic and PVDC from their products this year.
More info in The Innovation Zone.
#3 Industry-first blister packs made from 75% paper
Huhtamaki has announced the introduction of an industry-first paper-based blister pack for pharmaceutical tablets and capsules. The initiative has been developed in conjunction with leading providers of process technology and packaging solutions for the pharmaceutical industry Syntegon. The solution is designed to replace established Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) and aluminium blister formats. The Push Tab packs are made from renewable FSC paper and contain 75% paper material combined with a water barrier coating. The paper is sealable. The coating has been successfully trialled through a water vapour transmission rate test. Syntegon developed the machine to produce blisters from Huhtamaki’s Push Tab paper materials. Huhtamaki is also working on the development of thin-layer barrier technologies, which could lead to increased paper content in due course.
More info in The Innovation Zone.
#4 Plastic-free sandwich pack delivers on shelf life
UK convenience food producer and Innovation Zone members, Greencore is aiming to reverse the environmental impact of prepackaged sandwiches with a new fibre-based, plastic-free pack launch. The initiative is in collaboration with leading flexible packaging company ProAmpac and will see the packs distributed in UK supermarkets Co-op and Sainsbury’s. The initiative, which was 18 months in the making, is seen as a “world-first” for a market with a staggering estimated 600 million prepacked sandwiches consumed in the UK every year. The pack has a plastic-free window and is made entirely from paper-based material. The new pack provides the exact level of moisture resistance to ensure that the sandwiches have the same shelf life as those packaged in plastic. According to Greencore, their research has indicated that consumers find it challenging to separate the plastic film from typical sandwich packaging meaning that the packs are often not recycled even if in theory they can be.
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More info in The Innovation Zone.
Packaging question of the week
Have you ever used reusable takeaway packaging? Vote and comment now.
Last week, when buying industry reports, 62% prefer to receive PDF only
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.
