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 unique Innovation Zone platform. We now have 5,820 searchable initiatives listed. We have selected four new ideas 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.

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

Date: Wednesday, April 27, 2022
Time: 10:00AM-11:00AM CT (16:00-17:00 UK)

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

FREE one hour webinar. Catch up on the latest recyclable plastic 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 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.

Watch ThePackHub’s last webinar

Catch up on the latest sustainable packaging innovation trends with this whistle-stop tour of the latest initiatives. We cover many of the recent important in-market and developmental sustainable examples to inspire you and keep you up to speed.

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.

Sustainable Packaging Innovations webinar from ThePackHub with Emitwise. Broadcast 24th February 2022.

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.

Our friends at Halo have just launched another packaging research opportunity with PepsiCo. Here’s the link to the opportunity and here’s the registration page for their webinar on 28th April.

#1 Personalised chocolate packaging encourages consumers to be more colourful

Multinational digital print experts HP have collaborated on digital print projects with global confectionery company Mondelez several times over the years. This time, they are working together again to develop the personalisable ‘Color Your Break’ campaign in Belgium for the Milka chocolate brand. The campaign will see the Milka LEO variant embellished with colourful designs using HP’s digital print technology. The companies commissioned twelve artists to create almost 300 designs for the packaging. The designs are only half coloured in, with the thought that consumers will take a break and finish the colouring themselves. Additionally, consumers can go to a dedicated website and be able to co-create their own designs using the hundreds of different pieces of art to customise their own versions.

 

#2 PP material switch from aluminium lidding might improve material sorting

MCC Verstraete is a Belgian company specialising in IMLs (in mould labels). They have launched a new product called SealPPeel, designed as a replacement for aluminium lidding. SealPPeel is a PP (polypropylene) heat seal die-cut lidding option designed to optimise the recyclability, consumer convenience and shelf appeal of PP packaging. By using SealPPeel in combination with a PP tub, the packaging becomes a mono-material, ensuring the complete pack is easily sorted and recycled as consumers no longer need to separate the tub and seal to correctly throw the empty packaging away. MCC claim that due to the offset printing technique, the cost of printing and producing multiple SealPPeel SKU’s is much lower compared to aluminium lidding, and can be colour-matched to the container. It is claimed that SealPPeel also easily peels off without tearing nor leaving residues, contrary to aluminium lidding. It is also suitable for microwave use and has high puncture resistance.

More info in The Innovation Zone.

#3 Packaging material created from cucumber peel

The development of alternatives for the use of plastic in food packaging continues. Another example comes via researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, who have developed a new packaging material made from cucumber peel. They managed to extract cellulose nano-crystals from the peel, which can be turned into a strong substitute for single-use plastics, due to their potential for modification and biodegradability. The advantage of using cucumber peels to get cellulose nano-crystals instead of other sources is that they have a greater cellulose content of 18% more than other peel wastes.

More info in The Innovation Zone.

#4 Sliced loaf range introduced in paper packaging

Warburtons has introduced a new range of sliced loaves called Seeds & Grains, which is packed in paper packaging. In a move to support consumer desire for more sustainable packaging, the paper-based packaging is 100% recyclable. It is part of Warburtons’ work to improve its impact on the environment as part of an overarching five-prong strategy that focuses on carbon management, ethical sourcing, packaging, food waste, people and communities. The range is comprised of three 700g loaves which are 100% wholemeal, high in fibre and protein and low in saturated fat and sugar, according to Warburtons. Calories per slice range from 119-130. The three products in the range are The Big 21, Plant Power, and Make It Grain. The loaves will be available exclusively in Asda with an RSP of £1.85, with a further UK rollout to follow.

 

ThePackHub Expert Interview

Sustainability and climate change expert Tom Wood, Carbon Accounting Lead, of net-zero carbon specialists Emitwise talks about the growing demand for carbon emission reduction insight.

Packaging question of the week

Packaging that is designed to be composted. Where does it go in your household? Vote and comment on LinkedIn now. 

Last week, 66% say that they are seeing more carbon neutral/negative promoted packaging introductions.

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