Featured discussions

Anne Marie MohanSenior Editor

Sep 3rd, 2009

What’s the difference between biodegradable and compostable?
“Kittw04,” Designer

Please explain the difference between biodegradable and compostable materials. I have read through several definitions but am still not quite clear on it. Both seem to end up with CO2, H2O, and biomass, while biodegradable will be degraded by microorganisms. But some compostable material might be involved with microorganisms as well. Is this right? Please share some examples of materials in these groups. Many thanks! Read 12 responses to this question: greenerpackage.com/node/1405

PVC vs. PET
“Jwill,” Vice President of Operations, Chef’s Requested Foods, Packager

Can someone tell me which is a more sustainable package? PVC or PET? Read 7 responses to this question: greenerpackage.com/node/1265

What package upcycling are you doing?
“EcoArtist,” Art Director and EcoArtist

I think package design is a great opportunity to see beyond the first life for the initial product and create a second life after use to upcycle it into something else. I have been upcycling packaging into art and now realize the potential of packaging. It doesn’t have to be an addition to the landfill or recycle plant. What is your company doing to upcycle your packaging? Respond to this question: greenerpackage.com/node/1447

Greener Corp.

A holographically printed, tamper evident label with external QR code and die-cut tear strip spans the gap between shipper sidewalls and top.

Nutricosmetics’ Tamper Evident Label Takes QR Path to Smart Features

HEBE LIFE’s D2C nutricosmetic products use a label with a QR code that delivers on consumer engagement, geolocation and tracking, anti-counterfeiting and brand protection, not to mention product authentication.

Zero Co Forever Containers

Refill Revolution

Refillable and reusable packaging continues to come through the innovation funnel. See a few examples from ThePackHub’s September Packaging Innovation Briefing Report.

The 250-mL aluminum bottle is a stock package from Trivium that is direct printed in up to six colors and is topped with a silver screw cap. Photo Credit: Sue Rice @suericecreative

Pelee’s Aluminum Wine Bottles Blossom

Pelee Island Winery expands its packaging options with a 250-mL aluminum bottle for its Lola series that mimics the grace and beauty of its glass bottle counterpart.

Conference Report: Maturing Craft Brew Industry Faces Channel & Generational Shifts

Take Five Video: In a maturing market, craft brewers are dealing with change on two fronts: the drastic, immediate impacts of pandemic-related channel shocks; and the slow, imperceptible tectonic landscape shift of generational, demographic change.

Screen Shot 2021 09 16 At 1 41 32 Pm

Exhibitors Primed and Ready for Return of PACK EXPO Las Vegas & Healthcare Packaging EXPO

The excitement for the show is building for the industry to reconnect in Las Vegas next week. Hear what these solution suppliers are doing to welcome the industry back.

Zambelli, simple yet special

Zambelli, simple yet special

A streamlined flow of packaging material and an efficient environment for your operators. Do you want to know how? Read about Zambelli's solution.

The circular system for UPM RafCycle’s LabelLoop portfolio of labels is shown here.

Circular Label System Assists Baker with Zero-Waste Goals

As a way to help meet its ambitious zero-waste commitments, FGF Brands joins a label liner recycling program that collects and recycles waste liner for incorporation into new label facestock.

Jones Soda has brought its packaging to life with a series of limited-edition augmented reality bottle labels that showcase 15 extreme athletes and edgy artists in action.

Jones Soda Bottles Come to Life with AR Labels

Reflecting on the fact that its labels are the original user-generated content, for its 25th anniversary, Jones Soda relies on content creators to take its labels to the next level with augmented reality.

85% of participants are looking to expand their current portfolio of automation solutions in secondary packaging

Robotics in the Digital Age of Secondary Packaging: Future Trends

Robots and cobots are expected to expand to 95% of all secondary packaging lines within ten years, according to a report by PMMI Business Intelligence.

Included in the line are three clean-ingredient, vegan deodorant varieties—Cucumber Sage, Citrus Vetiver, and Coconut Jasmine—a body balm stick in a Coconut Pineapple scent, and a body lotion stick in Lavender Coconut.

Grove Collaborative is First with Plastic-Free Refillable Deodorant Pack

Company expands its Peach line of clean, vegan personal care products with deodorant and body lotion packaged in a 100% aluminum ‘forever case’ with refills in 100% aluminum cartridges.

Pelv 2021 Hrz 4c

Back to PACK EXPO Las Vegas: Industry Comes Together to Unleash Pent-up Innovation

PMMI’s PACK EXPO Las Vegas comes roaring back in 2021 with new features, exhibits, and programs in a hygienic, safety-minded space.

Standard Parts for Packaging and Processing Machinery and Equipment

Standard Parts for Packaging and Processing Machinery and Equipment

JW Winco is a leading supplier of Standard Machine Components and Assembly Hardware. Standard parts are extremely versatile in their application and can offer great opportunities. Visit our website to learn more!

Labels on Amerex Corp.’s line of hand, portable, and wheeled fire extinguishers provide critical instructions on the type of fire the unit is designed to handle and how to operate the device.

Label Precision is Paramount for Fire Extinguisher Products

Even though consumers hope they never have to use Amerex's products, if needed, the company’s fire extinguishers must be ready to go, with durable labels that provide clear instructions and certification that the product meets critical UL standards.

Hold on Marty McFly, We’re Going PACK to the Future

The much-anticipated PACK to the Future exhibit tracks the history of packaging from antiquity, through the industrial revolution, to the current Industry 4.0. Learn where we went and where we’re headed on today's Take Five video.

Bart Watson, Chief Economist for the Brewers Association

Live at Craft Brew Conference: Small, Independent Brewers Face Transition

In a maturing market, craft brewers are dealing with change on two fronts: the drastic, immediate impacts of pandemic-related channel shocks; and the slow, imperceptible tectonic landscape shift of generational, demographic change.

State Of Industry 2

Global Economy Passes Pre-COVID GDP as Business Investments Pick Up; Risks Remain

After a 3.5% contraction in 2020, global real GDP is projected to increase 6% in 2021, its strongest advance since 1973, but there are still potential risks.

BIC Transforms its Approach to Plastic Products & Packaging

New sustainability goals around its use of plastic drive BIC to look at new options for products and packaging, including a greater use of recycled materials, a move from plastic to paperboard, and refillable and reusable alternatives.

Reusable Deodorant Packaging Helps Keep Consumers Smelling Nice, More Sustainably

Personal care brands are introducing a range of refillable deodorant systems using a various materials and packaging systems to reduce the use of plastic. Watch this Take Five video to find out more.

PACK EXPO Partner Program

Partners Provide Unmatched Expertise at PACK EXPO Las Vegas

Associations line up to participate at and support PACK EXPO Las Vegas and Healthcare Packaging EXPO.

After a semester of helping students craft packages for design competitions, I ask them to create a budget for their package.

Budgeting Bliss: Package Design Students Prepare Estimates

A successful package is more than just a snazzy design, a whole lot more, but even the best design won’t make it to the shelf if it costs too much to make.

More in Home

Secondary packaging trends are being driven by retail demands, e-commerce growth, and direct-to-consumer (DTC)

Three Models of Secondary Packaging Operations

Secondary packaging trends are being driven by retail demands, e-commerce growth, and direct-to-consumer (DTC). See how these three models are impacting end-of-line operations.

The reusable bottles for the refill-on-the-go and return-on-the-go systems are made from stainless steel or aluminum for durability.

Unilever Expands Refill Trials in the U.K.

After a successful trial with Asda last year, Unilever is launching the largest refill trial of its kind in the U.K., offering popular personal and household care products in return-on-the-go and refill-on-the-go formats.

XTS greatly reduces jams and downtime as it moves perfectly stacked pizzas into cases. Shown here is a freshly erected case on the right and two stacks of pizzas about to be pushed into the case on the left.

Flexibility, High Throughput on Pizza Case Packer

The M2000 case packer does the work of three machines, erases downtime and excess mechanical parts, and delivers big on flexibility and throughput.

Noice natural gel toothpaste comes in an amber glass bottle with reusable pump dispenser. Refills use a screw-top closure.

Reusable, Recyclable Glass Toothpaste Bottle is ‘Noice’

Noice Care offers its natural toothpaste in an amber glass bottle with a reusable pump dispenser for D2C; a reusable, refillable glass bottle is available through the Loop shopping platform.

There are seven areas currently trending in the U.S. packaging machinery market.

Top Seven U.S. Packaging Machinery Trends in 2021

According to a new report by PMMI Business Intelligence, there are seven areas currently trending in the U.S. packaging machinery market.

CPG manufacturers need to work with retailers, distributors, and supply chain partners to share sales information through the supply chain, from the farmer to the checkout line.

CPGs to Spend $23.8 Billion on Digital Transformation by 2030

As the sharing of information along the supply chain becomes more critical, CPGs are increasingly creating digital threads to inform their production plans with relevant data.

Either carbonated or still water can be filled on the glass line.

Hi-tech Bottling Comes to Remote Armenian Mountains

A&M Rare’s new, ultramodern bottling plant seems almost surreal in a place where unspoiled scenery and mountain grandeur are on full display.

Market Trend Snapshots: Personal Care, Dairy, Meat, and Frozen Foods

Today’s Take Five video quickly covers a few of the market trends that were discussed at Natural Products Expo West conference including personal care trends, a market that was drastically affected by the pandemic.

Digital Commerce 360

U.S. E-Commerce Sales Rise 9.3% in 2021 Second Quarter

Digital sales hit $211.70 billion in the second quarter, up a modest 9.3% from $193.62 billion for the same period the prior year.

Margaret Knight’s flat-bottomed bag machine patent model. Courtesy of the Smithsonian, National Museum of American History.

PACK to the Future: The Story Behind the Historical Exhibit at PACK EXPO Las Vegas

Take a journey through the history of packaging, explore milestones that shaped the present, and learn more about industry trends influencing the future.

Torn Apron’s chef-prepared, restaurant-quality grab-and-go meals are packaged in vacuum skin packs that let the bright colors of the fresh ingredients shine through.

Tray Sealer Helps Startup Brand Become a Savory Success

Using a combination of vacuum skin packaging and High Pressure Processing, grab-and-go meal startup Torn Apron is producing 4,000 tray packs/week of restaurant-quality meals that have a shelf life from 50 to 60 days.

The new 100% recycled-content lid now had a longer front flap, providing more billboard space.

‘Cluckin’ Great’ Egg Carton Redesign

Vital Farms increases the sustainability of its shell-egg packaging, with a new carton that uses 100% recycled content for both the molded pulp base and the paperboard lid.