Innovation Zone ThePackHub - thepackhub.com

 

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.

 

You can join more than 7,300 others and stay up to speed on the latest packaging news from ThePackHub by following us on LinkedIn – www.linkedin.com/company/thepackhub

Offer ends on Friday
Save £250 with very early bird

Everything you need to know the global packaging trends and more!

ThePackHub’s Global Packaging Trends Compendium 2021 will be packed with vital trend information, analysis and insight from a world perspective.

Find out which brands, retailers and suppliers are bringing packaging innovations to market.

Offer ends on Friday. Find out more and save £250 on a pre-order

Watch ThePackHub’s latest webinar


 

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 Inclusive burger packaging design makes life easier for less able consumers

 

McDonald’s India West and South has launched a new packaging format that has been created to make their products more inclusive. The new burger packaging design coincides with International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPWD). The aim is make the McDonald’s experience enjoyable for all and has been created over months of development. The current packaging typically requires customers to use both their hands to enjoy the food, which makes it difficult for those with upper-limb disabilities. The new EatQual pack addresses the challenge to ensure that everyone can bite into their favourite burgers easily. The new packaging will be available across all McDonald’s restaurants in West and South India. The idea for the packaging came from Indian integrated marketing communications agency DDB Mudra.


#2 Ultra-thin food-grade film made using 30% recycled plastic

Charlotte, North Carolina-headquartered Sealed Air continues to strive towards creating 100% recyclable or reusable packaging solutions by 2025. The business has announced the introduction of an ultra-thin, food-grade film made using recycled plastic. The new soft plastic CRYOVAC rBDF S10 film contains Certified Circular Resins (CCR). The film is made using up to 30% food-grade CCR, which is certified by the International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC). Along with its levels of recycled plastic content, the new film can also contribute to further enhance sustainability through its ultra-thin barrier. It is just 21 microns, which is a third lighter than HFFS (Horizontal Form Fill and Seal) packs and three times thinner than other thermoformable films available on the market. The use of CCR in CRYOVAC Brand rBDF S10 Film complements the shrink packaging’s ultra-thin, high resistance and anti-fog performance. The high gloss finish and transparent clarity of film can help to enhance the appearance of food. The film can be used to wrap foods with or without trays. The overwrap film combined with modified atmosphere is applicable for use for meat, fish, cheese as well as convenience food and ready meals.

More info in The Innovation Zone.


#3 Reusable pizza packaging continues German trial

 

The introduction of a deposit for pizza boxes and other takeaway packaging has been touted in Nuremberg and some other German cities as a way to keep public areas clean and tackle single-use takeaway packaging waste. Customers would have to pay a refundable deposit for the packaging. The COVID-19 pandemic means that German restaurants can only sell take-away meals, which is exacerbating the problem. The problem with polystyrene food to go packaging is that it is not recycled and may take years to decompose. Greasy cardboard boxes are also difficult to recycle. A new reusable box for pizza is being tested as way to combat these challenges. The Pizzabow solution is made of recyclable plastic and has a universal size with all pizzerias using the same type of box. For hygiene reasons, pizza is served on paper trays, which helps to reduce cardboard use by up to 55%. When the pizza is handed over, the consumers takes it out of the green bowl, which is easy to do thanks to the tabs on the cardboard tray. Consumers simply stack the empty bowls back on top of each other and give them back to the pizza delivery person. See also Returnable packaging can be used several times by San Francisco restaurants.

 

More info in The Innovation Zone.


#4 Embedded printed electronics for fragrance brand designed to engage

German studio Look Labs has launched Cyber eau de parfum. It is a unisex fragrance that incorporates an illuminated label utilising embedded printed electronics to deliver a strong sustaina­bility message. Printed electronics technology has been used with an aim to make the product resonate with a younger generation of smart and tech-savvy consumers. The perfume bottle has also been designed to be refillable. When consumers press the power button, the word Cyber lights up in a bright red light with both the recycling and earth symbols blinking to act as a reminder for consumers to pay more attention to the environment. The perfume retails for $280 for a 100 ml bottle and refills are available to order on the brand’s website.  See also OLED enabled drink bottles engage and delight.


Watch our latest ThePackhub Expert Interview

 

 

CEO Neil Cashman discusses Snapsil’s range of easy to use packaging innovations for the pharmaceutical and medical markets. You can watch here. 


Packaging question of the week

Has the rollout of sustainable packaging been affected by the coronavirus?  Vote and comment now. 

Last time: 58% believe there is no change to this year’s seasonal packaging designs.


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.

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