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 5,755 searchable initiatives listed. We have selected four new initiatives 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 – Book on our next 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.

NEW – 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.

#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

Swedish fast food chain MAX Burgers is to start using Liplid’s unique coffee lid, incorporating Pulpac’s dry moulded fibre technology, to replace plastic lids in its restaurants. The unique lid is placed inside, rather than on, the cup to prevent leakage and improve the stability and drinking experience of on-the-go beverages. The innovative design, using 25% less material, has already received a great deal of international attention, including winning the 2022 World Star Packaging Awards. See Bio-based lid improves on-the-go drinking experience.  The patented design uses FSC (Forestry Stewardship Council) approved fibres, and using dry moulding technology saves significant amounts of valuable water resources and energy, resulting in a reported 80% lower CO2 footprint compared to alternatives on the market. This technology is also said to offer highly competitive unit economics, making it possible to replace single-use plastics a global scale.

 

New – 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

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.

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