New markets, megatrends bring business opportunities

The cannabis market, new technologies for creating recycled-content and recyclable PET containers, and consumer and retail megatrends are covered at The Packaging Conference.

Anne Marie MohanSenior Editor

Apr 12th, 2019

The Packaging Conference has a long track record of presenting some of the newest technologies.

The Packaging Conference has a long track record of presenting some of the newest technologies.

The Packaging Conference has a long track record of presenting some of the newest technologies and latest thinking on the packaging industry. Said Thierry Fabozzi, President of PTI, a co-organizer of the event with SBA-CCI, in his opening remarks at the 2019 edition, “The purpose [of the conference] has always been to bring both technology and business opportunities together to make the industry better.”

Gathering nearly 200 attendees, including members of Consumer Packaged Goods companies, and packaging materials and equipment suppliers, at the Waldorf Astoria in Las Vegas in February, The Packaging Conference 2019 met its purpose. Comprising an agenda of 24 presentations, the event addressed topics of ongoing interest, such as sustainability, the state of the beverage industry, consolidation, and package design, among others, as well as one new and very hot topic—cannabis. Following are just a few of the highlights.

Five megatrends impacting the packaging industry

What is America drinking?

New technologies for PET enable recycled content and recycling

Cannabis content hits its mark

Dr. R. Andrew Hurley

Taking the Fifth (Panel): Create an Invitation to Engage

Using a fifth-panel carton allows for more space to educate consumers on your product and provides an interactive, sensory experience that can send a powerful message about your brand.

Wyld Cannabis-Infused Gummies feature a clean botanical look with bright inner carton and child-resistant jar.

2021 Healthcare Packaging Design Gallery

This year’s gallery featured many calming and minimalist aesthetics, signifying a consumer looking for relief at home and work—outside of the clinical setting.

Branding Lessons from Vital Farms’ Fantastic Egg Carton

Packaging is your product’s greatest salesperson. On today's Take Five video, see how ethical food company Vital Farms uses attention-grabbing graphics, sustainable packaging materials, and clever consumer communication tools to elevate its egg packaging.

Schematic for a iPhone starter kit, as imagined by middle schoolers and presented to a packaging professional from Apple.

Middle Schoolers Take on Big Brand Packaging Projects

Challenged to invent packaging systems for the likes of Apple and Ford, these middle schoolers impressed both in the pack designs themselves, and their ability to communicate their reasoning.

Budweiser’s three new limited-edition cans celebrate American freedom, featuring a red, white, and blue design emblazoned with stars and stripes.

Budweiser Busts out Patriotic Cans for ‘Historic Summer’

Beer giant kicks off the summer season with three limited-edition can designs that celebrate American freedom, with a portion of sales being donated to non-profit Folds of Honor.

Check out The Cobot Spot from Universal Robots

Check out The Cobot Spot from Universal Robots

Looking for automation solutions for packaging and palletizing? This is your destination for all things cobot. Whether it’s webinars, video case studies or product information, you’ll find it all in this one spot.

The Ultra Digital Enhancement press installed at Germany S.A.C.I.A.G. in Paraguay.

Digital Enhancement of Folding Cartons

Scodix, the world’s leading provider of digital enhancement solutions for the graphic arts industry, recently announced that Germany S.A.C.I.A.G has installed a Scodix Ultra Digital Enhancement Press.

Inclusive Packaging

The Unilever brand Degree is introducing a new deodorant product line named Degree Inclusion that seems important to me, and I’ll tell you why.

4sight Inc. Joins Product Ventures

4sight Inc. joins Product Ventures creating a premier structural packaging innovation agency. Stuart Leslie, Founder of 4sight Inc., joins Product Ventures as the new VP of Industrial Design.

Custom actuator on aerosol container appeals to today's consumer.

Hot Shot Insect Killer Gets Custom Actuator

A custom actuator designed specifically for Spectrum Brands’ Home & Garden business unit is a key feature on the firm’s Hot Shot® Ant, Roach & Spider Killer line.

On the Rocks Product Line

Business is Booming for On the Rocks Ready-to-Drink Cocktail Brand

Spirits-based is one of the fastest growing segments of the US ready-to-drink market, and the OTR premium RTD brand doubled its sales in the first half of 2020.

Check out The Cobot Spot from Universal Robots

Check out The Cobot Spot from Universal Robots

Looking for automation solutions for packaging and palletizing? This is your destination for all things cobot. Whether it’s webinars, video case studies or product information, you’ll find it all in this one spot.

The Peach Body Care refill system comes in plastic-free, refillable body lotion and body balm stick formats that utilize clean and vegan formulas with 100% natural fragrances.

Plastic-Free Deodorant & Body Care Refill System Launched

A reusable aluminum case from Grove Collaborative is refilled with deodorant and body care balm sticks, also packaged in aluminum.

A material change allows for a 20% reduction in material usage for HDPE Advil bottles while maintaining all critical performance characteristics of the bottle.

GSK’s Head of Sustainability on Advil Bottles’ 20% Plastic Reduction

The new material will reduce the amount of plastic in the environment by nearly 500,000 pounds. Sarah McDonald: “It was about seven years of work behind the scenes together with our partners on the materials side and on the manufacturing molding side.”

Consumers are telling brands with their wallets that they want the brands to have a stance, to say something, to have an opinion, and to vocalize that opinion in a way that lets them know where they stand.

unPACKED with Packaging World Podcast: Did 2020 Change Packaging Forever?

Listen to the unPACKed with Packaging World podcast for Matt Reynold's take on the seismic shifts in packaging caused by COVID-19 and societal call for social responsibility.

Cacao Water Just Cacao Copy

Innovation/Supply in the Post-Pandemic Era (are we there yet?)

Can the supply of/demand for recycled goods and bio-based materials replace geo-based packaging materials (metal, glass, plastics) without creating bio-based supply choke points?

The stainless steel container for Shell lubricants was designed to be reused up to 100 times, effectively eliminating the need for 100 plastic containers.

Shapely, Reusable Steel Can for Shell Drives Motor Oil First

Shell introduces a two-piece, contemporary stainless steel can for its lubricant products for trial in the Loop reusable shopping platform in France.

Goodpop's New Twin Pops debuted with a packaging redesign.

GoodPop’s Mission: Pledge Good. Do Good. Feel Good.

This good-for-you frozen treat company has refreshed its packaging with a new look that calls attention to its mission to create social and environmental good.

All a gift recipient needs to do is cut a single taped edge of the shipper, and the OPF corrugated case pops open and lays flat to present the gift inside.

Shipper Plays a Starring Role In Progressive Unboxing Experience

A corrugated shipper’s primary job in e-comm is to get its contents to a consumer’s doorstep intact. But this one is able to do so with a bit of theater and flair.

Superfood smoothie maker TUSOL Wellness uses a range of shades directly representing the hero ingredient of each of its individual smoothie sachets.

5 Emerging Trends in E-commerce Package Design

The rise in e-commerce in 2020 forced brands to rethink their package design to connect with consumers outside the retail environment. Here are five design trends that resulted and advice on how to select the style that’s best for your brand.

More in Package Design

Injection-molded PP and a unique package closure are keys behind the success of this new product from CleverFoodies.

CleverFoodies Leverages Injection-Molded Package

The five can design finalists.

INX Can Design Contest Voting Now Open

A week-long voting period for the second annual Colored by INX Can Design Contest is now open to the public.

The BoxMaker has announced the purchase of a second HP PageWide C500 Press, adding significant capacity as the converter launches a nationwide expansion.

The BoxMaker is Big on Digital for Corrugated

The BoxMaker, a leading U.S. manufacturer of digitally produced packaging, has announced the purchase of a second HP PageWide C500 Press, adding significant capacity as the converter launches a nationwide expansion.

The redesign features a modern design that, with color and chalkboard imagery, suggests gourmet bistro food.

Specialty Deli Meat Pack Redesign Highlights Home-Prepared Meal Possibilities

This past year, more people than ever prepared meals at home, with 71% of Americans stating that they will continue this trend after the pandemic, according to food and beverage agency Hunter.

Video conferencing software and the adoption of digital communications across demographics has enabled virtual consumer focus-group testing during COVID.

5 Benefits of Virtual Focus Group Testing

Necessitated by the pandemic, virtual consumer focus-group testing offers benefits such as reduced costs, more authentic outcomes, and a wider pool of subjects from which to draw.

Degree Inclusive's pack design employs a hooked cap design and integral handle.

People with Limb, Vision Disabilities Gain Access with Inclusive Deodorant Pack Design

A revolutionary deodorant pack prototype from Unilever’s Degree brand, now in beta-testing in certain communities of people with disabilities, makes the deodorant application process much more accessible.

Dr. R. Andrew Hurley, Associate Professor, Clemson University

Old-School Prototyping Speeds Modern Packaging Design Workflow

A five-step packaging prototype design process based on ‘old-fashioned’ tools from Dr. R. Andrew Hurley helps students reap the benefits of both physical and digital tools.

Refreshed package kicks off Cinco de Mayo for Pasote Tequila

Pasote Tequila Celebrates Cinco de Mayo with New Premium Packaging

From our companion website in Latin America, Mundo PMMI, 3 Badge Beverage Corporation has renewed the bottle and label for one of its most renowned products, Pasote Tequila, in conjunction with this traditional holiday.

Men’s Grooming Brand L’Atelier Shelter Breaks Category Norms

Packaging for L’Atelier Shelter men’s grooming products uses a simple, dark design to convey mystery and creativity; refill packs enhance sustainability.

SuperCorrExpo 2021 to be Held Live in Orlando

SuperCorrExpo® (SCE), organized by TAPPI and AICC, will be held August 8–12 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla.

Rheo Flexibles Image

Rheo Engineering Launches Rheo Flexibles

Rheo Engineering launches a new company division: Rheo Flexibles. It will provide a full range of single use products, all designed and manufactured at the Peoria, Ill., facility.

Hershey Brazil has capitalized on digital printing of flexible film as a way of celebrating female talent during International Women’s Day.

Hershey Celebrates International Women's Day with Digital Print Campaign

At Hershey Brazil, the #HerSheGallery transforms a chocolate bar wrapper into a celebration of women, as Hershey once again uses a digital print campaign to mark International Women's Day.