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#1 Paper-based sachets are 100% recyclable
Unilever-owned sauces brand Colman’s is moving its powdered Meal Makers sachets into a 100% recyclable paper-based format. The current sachet is a non-recyclable multi-layer combination of plastic, aluminium and paper. The new format is a barrier paper that conforms to On-Pack Recycling Label (OPRL) guidelines. The first product to move to the new format is Colman’s Sausage Casserole, with the rest of the range expected to switch by the end of the year. Colman’s have estimated that the move to the barrier paper will save over 240 tonnes of material per annum once the change has been fully implemented. As part of their ongoing sustainability commitments, Unilever have committed to halving its use of virgin plastic and making sure that all of its packaging is either reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025.
#2 New plastic-free pack for potato chips introduced
Spanish potato chips brand Marinas has introduced a 100% recyclable pack in a bid to make the products more sustainable. Potato crisps packaging is not widely recyclable with collection schemes from the likes of TerraCycle the real only means to recycle packs. There have been some compostable pack developments. See for example – New UK crisp brand in 100% compostable pack. Marinas is taking a step forward with their environmental commitment, becoming one of the first brands in the potato chips sector to completely remove plastic from its bags. The innovation is replacing traditionally used plastic, instead using a film made of plant-based compostable material collected from FSC and PEFC certified forests.
More info in The Innovation Zone.
#3 Sauce tube pack resembles the form of a pepper
Nongfu Wangtian, a brand of pepper sauces from China, has launched a range that resembles the form of a pepper in a tube format rather than the traditional glass bottle. The lid is shaped like the stem of a pepper and can be used for hanging the product in-store, intended to give the consumer the feeling of picking the chilli in person. The product comes in three varieties of red, yellow and green colours to denote the varying heat of the sauce. The depiction of the pepper is picked out in gloss print, with the background in matt. Customer research by the design team showed a willingness to try of 87%, and a 46% preference to conventional glass bottles. The pack is made of corn starch and will fully degrade within six months under normal composting conditions. The design was created by design agency Shenzen BOB.
More info in The Innovation Zone.
#4 Secondary packaging for cans replaced with paper
Headquartered in Dortmund, Germany, international packaging manufacturer KHS Group are launching a new secondary packaging system for drink cans. Traditionally, the secondary packaging format has been made of shrinkwrap film, which is often not recyclable. The plastic material is out of favour with brands and retailers looking at material alternatives to reduce their plastic footprint. KHS’s new offering for secondary packaging is made out of paper. This type of pack can replace shrink film or wraparound carton packaging on sets of 12 or 24 cans. The production of this packaging is high-capacity, coming in at around 90,000 cans made per hour. The replacement of plastic with a paper solution encourages a circular economy as it can be recycled and is also biodegradable.
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More info in The Innovation Zone.
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James Cutting of [T=0] discusses his career journey and what attracted him to his current role. He tells us how his groundbreaking business is able to create 1000’s of artworks in seconds enabling brand owners and retailers to significantly improve their speed to market.
Packaging question of the week
Do you use in-store recycling schemes? Vote and comment now.
Last week, 76% have reusable and/or refillable packaging in their kitchen cupboards.
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.
