Flexible packaging

Co-packing industry assesses opportunities and challenges

The contract packaging industry has no shortage of opportunities and challenges, and some of them were discussed formally and informally at the Contract Packaging Association’s annual meeting, which concluded April 2 in Tucson, AZ. First, the opportunities. One of the hottest segments of contract packaging today is pharmaceutical products, and it’s promising even more growth for co-packers with the right facilities, capabilities, and certification approvals. Speaking to association members, Bill Sharpless said the $400 billion pharma industry is growing at 3% annually. Sharpless is marketing director of pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and medical packaging at Alcoa Flexible Packaging.

April 17, 2007

Flexibles: Page 193

Flexibles

A Global Perspective on Sustainable Packaging from Kraft Foods

The recently redesigned PET-based bottles for Kraft’s Crystal Light and Fruit2O brands are 18 percent lighter than the bottles they are replacing. Following the completion of the phased introduction of the new bottles in the U.S., Kraft will reduce its PET usage by 8.7 million pounds per year.

April 17, 2007

Flexibles

Compartmentalized pouched water for on-the-go 'Fidos'

The fetching 16-oz, dog-bone-shaped stand-up pouch is reclosable and features two compartments.

April 10, 2007

Flexibles

Pulp-based film

Hutchinson Miller Sales has introduced a pulp-based film that combines the ease-of-use of paper and the durability and other performance qualities of film.

April 6, 2007

Flexibles

User-friendly blister

MTS Medication Technologies has developed an environmentally friendly, high-barrier blister to augment its medication compliance packaging consumables product line.

April 6, 2007

Flexibles

New plastomers/elastomers

Dow Chemical has introduced 8 new grades of Versify™ Plastomers and Elastomers, each designed to deliver performance and processing benefits to address specific market needs.

April 6, 2007

Flexibles

Air cushioning brightens Sunrise Medical's shipments

Shipments of the company’s Quickie-brand wheelchairs now arrive undamaged. Sunrise packaging personnel also appreciate the new protective cushioning.

April 4, 2007

Flexibles

Slimmer sun-block bottle is easier to grip

In Brazil, Schering-Plough has introduced Coppertone Sun Block for Kids with a flip-top closure and a ribbed, slimmer waist. These features combine to make the 15-mL bottle easier for seniors and kids with moist hands to grip and operate using one hand. The bottle improves on earlier editions by discarding polyvinyl chloride shrink film, which eliminates the costs of applying the film in production.

April 4, 2007

Flexibles

Dual technologies give food carton multiple benefits

Two proprietary technologies distinguish the Kraft Nabisco Entertainment Cracker package, from Graphic Packaging International (www.graphicpkg.com). Z-flute structural reinforcement and Composipac film lamination combine to create a package that provides oxygen and moisture barriers, strength, and scuff resistance, all while delivering point-of-purchase impact.

April 4, 2007

Flexibles

Packaging environmental efficiency study released

A new 56-page study that takes a careful, measured look at environmental efficiency for various formats may be An Inconvenient Truth for packaging.

April 4, 2007

Flexibles

Reducing Total Cost Of Ownership

By switching from a PLC-based controls architecture to a functionally integrated controller, Talon builds a simpler machine that costs less to build and to maintain.

April 3, 2007

Flexibles

Salsas in 48-oz bottle twin-packs

In February 2007, San Antonio Farms, San Antonio, TX, began club-store marketing of double-packs of salsas in 48-oz-volume, six-layer PP/EVOH barrier jugs with .015” wall thickness and 82-g empty-bottle weight. Shelf life of the bottled salsa is 12 months. Average retail price of the salsa twin-packs is between $5.00 and $6.00.

April 3, 2007

Flexibles

Design firm bags new Pringles Select packaging

Say the word “Pringles,” and the image of a saddle-shape chip in a cylindrical container comes to mind. But when LPK (www.lpk.com), the design agency for Procter & Gamble’s Pringles’ brand, came up with a design for the company’s new Pringles Select gourmet potato chips, the firm dropped the cylindrical can in favor of a block-bottom pouch.

April 3, 2007