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Contract Packaging
How Versatile Packagers Stays Versatile
Versatile Packagers shares the keys to building long-lasting co-packing partnerships.
October 30, 2024
Versatile Packagers Executive Director Bob Vande Weghe.
Recycling
Glass Industry Sets Ambitious Recycling Goal
Why does glass have such a low recycling rate, and what are some of the myths surrounding glass recycling? The Glass Packaging Institute, SMI, and Diageo share their insights.
October 29, 2024
(l. to r.) Scott DeFife, president of the Glass Packaging Institute (GPI), Laura Hennemann, senior VP of Sustainability & Corporate Affairs at SMI, and Gabriel Opoku-Asare, director of Society/ESG at Diageo North America.
Filling, Capping & Closing
Robots Fill, Mix, and Cap Personalized Skincare Bottles in Mass Customization Play
Cosmetics and nutraceuticals, like this skincare line, are at the leading edge of hyper-personalization and batch-size-one packaging. SmartSKN is an interesting example using AI-driven data and inventory management to achieve mass packaging customization.
October 28, 2024
SmartSKN currently has five of these robotic filling/capping systems in its Beverly facility.
Cartoning
Gift Box for Skin Care is Lightweight Yet Luxurious
Developed for Finnish cosmetics brand HejBuddy, the box is 50% lighter than a traditional rigid box and features an outer sleeve that can be customized for seasonal promotions.
October 26, 2024
The promotional packaged designed for HejBuddy’s skin-care products uses a micro-flute corrugated board with a white kraft liner. Image courtesy of Metsä Board.
Contract Packaging
Co-Mans and Co-Packs See Bottlenecks Across Packaging and Processing Lines
From processing to inspection and quality assurance, contract manufacturers and packagers are finding problems across several aspects of production.
October 24, 2024
Nearly 1/5 (19%) of CP/CMs say secondary packaging is a source of bottlenecks.
Recycling
Capri-Sun, Hyke, and Marks & Spencer Introduce Recyclable Packaging Innovations
ThePackHub
See a few examples of recyclable packaging innovations from Capri-Sun, Hyke, and Marks & Spencer from ThePackHub’s Innovation Zone.
October 24, 2024
Capri-Sun's new mono-material pouches include a tethered cap to align with upcoming EU recycling regulations.
PACK EXPO
Students Display Robotics Talents at ‘Future Innovators Robotics Showcase’
High school teams demonstrate the next generation of robotics and automation skills in the spirited competition at PACK EXPO International.
October 23, 2024
Screenshot 2024 10 23 At 11 52 53 Am
Bio-based
Paper-Based Canister Keeps Powdered Collagen Fresh and Dry
Vital Proteins switches from a plastic canister to one made from 80% paper for its powdered collagen peptides, making the container curbside recyclable and reducing the company’s use of plastic by 4 million lb.
October 23, 2024
Made from Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certified fiber, a new paper-based package will reduce the plastic used across all Vital Proteins canister offerings by more than 90%.
Recycling
Untangling the Thermoform Recycling Conundrum
Thermoform packaging waste is an excellent source of rPET, but collection and sorting challenges must be overcome to make it a profitable commodity for MRFs.
October 22, 2024
(From l. to r.) Megan Moore of NAPCOR, Zach Muscato of Plastic Ingenuity, and Jeff Snyder of Rumpke explained the challenges related to thermoform recycling.
Recycling
MRF LRS Improves Aluminum, HDPE Recovery with CMI-Funded AI Robot
EverestLabs’ RecycleOS AI-based sortation algorithm and robot helps LRS catch mis-sorted aluminum and HDPE, valuable material that otherwise would have gone into landfill. Revenue generated from the extra capture supports further CMI can-capture efforts.
October 22, 2024
Screenshot 2024 10 22 At 1 17 37 Pm
Recycling
The Business of MRFs Explained
At the Packaging Recycling Summit, three prominent recyclers discuss how MRFs are navigating today's economic and technological challenges.
October 22, 2024
(From l. to r.) Jim Marcinko of WM, Justin Davis of AMP, and Jeff Snyder, of Rumpke Waste & Recycling explained the economics of MRFs.
Bio-based
Nestlé Continues to Embrace Paper with New Quality Street Tub
The new paper-based carton for Quality Street sweets for Christmas offers the same shape and brand color, but is now 100% curbside recyclable.
October 21, 2024
The paper carton for Quality Street enables more boxes to fit on a pallet and is said to have the potential to reduce CO2 emissions significantly. Image courtesy of Smurfit Westrock.
Sustainability
The Major CPGs Committing to Carbon Emission Reduction Pledges
Companies like Amazon, Coca-Cola, Unilever, and more have set their sustainability goalposts over the next decades with these carbon emission goals and pledges.
October 18, 2024
Companies are examining their entire operations, including the impacts of those they work with, to lower their carbon emissions.
Package Design
Frank's RedHot, e.l.f. Cosmetics, and Don Smallgoods Introduce Packaging Designed for User Engagement
ThePackHub
See a few examples of packaging innovations designed for user engagement from Frank's RedHot, e.l.f. Cosmetics, and Don Smallgoods from ThePackHub’s Innovation Zone.
October 18, 2024
Frank's RedHot's new PET bottle mirrors the shape and details of the original glass bottle while adding usability features.
Package Design
Google Writes, and Shares, the Book on Plastic-Free Packaging
Available to all brands, Google’s ‘Plastic-Free Packaging Design Guide’ details the solutions it developed to eliminate plastic from its packaging, including technologies and suppliers.
October 17, 2024
David Bourne of Google shared the company’s journey to develop 100% plastic-free packaging by 2023.
Bio-based
Paper Cable Ties Eliminate 1,200 Miles Worth of Plastic Ties
After removing the plastic blister and plastic cable tie from its blister card packaging, Munchkin replaces them with a paper cable tie and backing plate, for 133,000 lb less plastic.
October 16, 2024
For product categories such as these infant spoons, Munchkin is using a new paper cable tie with a molded pulp backing plate to hold the products in place on the blister card.
Recycling
Colgate, Amazon Report ‘History-Making’ Progress with AI for Recycling
AI provider Glacier develops custom programs for Colgate and Amazon to detect tube and bioplastic packaging, respectively, as it makes its way through MRF sorting systems.
October 15, 2024
As Rebecca Hu of Glacier and Greg Corra of Colgate-Palmolive explained, AI is enabling the collection of tube recycling data in real time at the MRF.
Operational Excellence
Packaging Consultants Council is Back
The Institute of Packaging Professionals (IoPP) has relaunched the PCC as a central hub for companies seeking packaging experts and consultants with diverse industry experience.
October 14, 2024
Rob Kaszubowski, managing director, packaging optimization, NTT DATA
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