Smart packaging: What consumers want

Smart packaging is necessary for not only the supply chain, but also the consumer, according to Dr. Paul Butler, Smart Packaging Consultant and Academic Visitor of the Department of Materials at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom.

Abbey Lewis-ReinholdtAssistant Editor

Feb 29th, 2004

Butler mentions that more and more consumers are finding that smart packaging is necessary because of their rapidly changing lifestyles, the convenience, and the emotional appeal. He said that consumers want their packaging to help them save money and time, provide entertainment, and help keep them healthy.

What's ahead

Some packaging technology to look forward to in the future: a beverage that will chill itself, food products with indicators that will alert consumers when the food is unsafe, and containers that dispense sticky liquids without waste or mess. In conclusion, he added that the future of packaging lies with smart packaging, so-called value-added consumer packaging that does more than contain product. This includes the incorporation of sound and vision in packaging, and the implementation of new materials to be developed or discovered that will continue to enhance brands and provide real consumer benefits.

The above information was delivered at a speech during the Intelligent and Smart Packaging USA 2004 seminar in Las Vegas that took place late January.

CPA President Rob Reinders

A Bright Future Filled with Opportunities for CPA

New President of CPA, The Assn. for Contract Packaging and Manufacturing Rob Reinders shares news on the Virtual Experience series, the 2021 industry report, and new partnerships.

PACK EXPO Las Vegas and Healthcare Packaging EXPO. Packaging. Processing. One Powerful Show.

PACK EXPO Las Vegas Follows Nevada Lead on Masks

World's most comprehensive packaging and processing show in 2021 will proceed without any further restrictions on gatherings or capacity limits.

Anne Marie Mohan, Editor, Contract Packaging magazine

Driving Consumer-Centric Packaging Innovation

Packaging is a critical asset that plays a major role in the success of a product. CP/CMs need to be proactive in understanding consumer preferences to advise their CPG customers on innovation.

Paper Tube Whiskey Pack Leaps Off the Shelf

Named for a pioneering species of Irish toad, the folks at Natterjack Irish Whiskey and Gortinore Distillers & Co. tend to do things differently.

CPGs in Maine will pay fees based on the costs of recycling for each packaging material used.

Maine First State to Charge CPG Fee for Packaging Material Recycling

Maine passed the nation’s first bill to place the cost of recycling on CPGs instead of the consumer, while also offering incentives to those who use recyclable packaging. Oregon is expected to follow suit in the coming weeks.

Syntegon's checklist for confectionery packaging

Syntegon's checklist for confectionery packaging

Wondering how to select the optimal solution for your specific product and packaging needs? We packed all the important questions for you to consider into a handy Confectionery Packaging Checklist.

Getty Images 1138796177

Pandemic-Related Health and Hygiene Consumer Trends Affecting Beverage Market

Product safety demands and active health management are two areas that have increased since the start of the pandemic, and the results on the beverage industry will likely be long-term.

Results of a carbon footprint study conducted by South Atlantic Packaging and Wake Forest University are reported in the company’s ‘April 2021 Sustainability Report.’

Co-packer’s Sustainability Study Results in New Strategy

The South Atlantic family of contract packaging companies analyzes its business’s carbon footprint, with the results of the LCA driving an ambitious climate pledge for 2050.

The Face + Body natural sunscreen tube in sugarcane bio-resin replaces Raw Elements’ previous plastic tube, which was made with PCR.

Sugarcane Tubes Sweeten Sustainability Profile

The Face + Body natural sunscreen tube in sugarcane bio-resin replaces Raw Elements’ previous plastic tube, which was made with PCR.

Global CPGs Kellogg and PepsiCo Grow Grocery E-Commerce During the Pandemic | Emerging Brand E-Commerce Spotlight

E-commerce grocery sales have increased during the pandemic, and the number of consumers ordering online is expected to remain elevated. Both large CPGs and smaller emerging brands are taking steps to meet the growing demand and utilize online retail.

Thanks to a new AbilityOne contract, Transylvania Vocational Services needed to increase production of its instant non-fat dry milk to better serve food banks.

Bagger Helps Dry Milk Packager Meet Food Bank Demand

With a new contract to serve increasing food pantry needs amid the pandemic, the maker of ready-to-eat foods and various powdered products chose a VFFS bagger and auger combination to help improve efficiency as well as sanitation.

Syntegon's checklist for confectionery packaging

Syntegon's checklist for confectionery packaging

Wondering how to select the optimal solution for your specific product and packaging needs? We packed all the important questions for you to consider into a handy Confectionery Packaging Checklist.

News from CPA, The Association for Contract Packagers and Manufacturers

The CPA has been busy of late, releasing its ‘2021 State of the Industry Report’ and lining up a number of value-added services for its contract packaging/manufacturing members.

Robby Martin, Engineering Specialist, Bush Brothers & Company

Exclusivity Within a CP/CM, Customer Relationship

When is it time to develop an exclusive agreement with your contract packager/manufacturer around a new product or technology, and what factors should you consider? Bush Bros. Robby Martin shares his experiences.

Prior to the MGS assembly module, bulk actuators are dumped into a hopper; a centrifugal bowl is utilized to singulate and orient them.

Metered Dose Inhaler Line Centralizes Control from Canisters Through Pallets

A deep dive into a “one machine” concept for a metered dose inhaler line, with system integration for 18 pieces of machinery and components from a variety of OEMs.

Pellets of ice move down the central “pant leg” and arrive on left and right electromagnetic vibratory feeders for discharge into insulated containers.

Dry Ice Feeding for COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution

Equipment for dispensing dry ice into insulated containers holding COVID-19 vaccines had to be designed and produced by this OEM in just eight weeks.

IoPP’s 2021 Salary Survey Results: How Did Your Compensation Stack Up?

After a flat salary year in 2020 with heightened uncertainty about both traditional salary increases and bonuses, 2021 results indicate confidence returning. Meanwhile, job security is high and fewer people are seeking greener pastures at new jobs.

Getty Images 826359470

Increase in Online Grocery Shopping Impacts Beverage Pack Sizes and Machine Needs

Manufacturers are being pressed to readjust strategies or accelerate previously made plans in order to address the e-commerce channel surge and meet related demands.

Last year's salary freezes are thawing, and compensation optimism is slowly but surely heating up.

2021 IoPP Salary Survey: Salary Freezes Begin to Thaw. How Does Your Compensation Compare?

After a flat salary year in 2020 with heightened uncertainty and worry about both traditional salary increases and bonuses, 2021 results indicate that confidence is returning. Meanwhile, job security is high and fewer people are seeking greener pastures.

Getty Images 182690736

Which Post-Pandemic Consumer Trends are Here to Stay?

Experts at the Consumer Goods Forum Global Summit discussed how the pandemic has impacted consumers, and which trends are here to stay, including e-commerce, CPG accountability, and sustainability.

More in Home

With the SeaWell system, trays are thermoformed with cavities into which a GRAS technology blend is dropped and secured with a heat-sealed piece of nonwoven fabric.

Active Packaging Technology Improves Seafood Safety, Shelf Life

SeaWell Protective Active Packaging from Aptar Food + Beverage – Food Protection integrates technology that keeps excess liquid from accumulating around the seafood, reducing bacterial growth, preserving quality, and improving consumer perception.

2021 Pelv Hcpe Pelv Dominant Tagline Rgb

PACK EXPO Las Vegas and co-located Healthcare Packaging EXPO to Reunite the Packaging and Processing Industry this September

Strong Industry Commitment Evident in Number of Early Registrations

Emma Cole, a member of the Batavia Environmental Commission, presents Green Ole Award to Hector Leon, director of operations for GreenSeed Contract Packaging.

GreenSeed Contract Packaging Recognized as Local Leader in Environmental Sustainability

The company was awarded the 2021 Green Ole Award by the Batavia Environmental Commission for making the city more “eco-friendly” through operational initiatives that resulted from its strategic and collaborative partnership with global CPG Danone.

AMERIPEN retained John Dunham & Associates to analyze the financial and societal impact made by the U.S. packaging industry, which is the largest producer of packaging in the world.

Report Details Packaging Industry’s Massive Impact on the U.S. Economy

Commissioned by AMERIPEN, a first-of-its-kind report details the financial and societal value of the U.S. packaging industry, providing data that can be used to help educate policymakers as they consider packaging-related legislation.

Nestlé’s Vittel Water Beta Tests Both a Durable Reusable Bottle and a Paper Bottle

Take Five Video: Vittel® mineral water used the Tour de France to test prototypes for two bottle types: One uses a durable plastic outer shell for reusability, the other uses a paper outer shell for easy recycling. Both use thin film inner liners.

When consumers scan the unique QR code on the back of the pouch, not only do they get verification that the package is authentic, they also get customized messaging.

A Whole New Connected Packaging Platform

A leader in digitally printed flexible packaging, ePac Flexible Packaging has launched a platform that leverages the power of digital printing to create serialized, trackable packaging especially suitable for small and medium-sized brands.

Getty Images 641361088

Beverage Manufacturers Turn to Dynamic Machines and Automation to Meet SKU Expansion

Manufacturers are being pressed on all fronts to expand offerings in the beverage market, and they are turning to OEMs and suppliers to offer solutions at all points in the manufacturing process.

Groovy beach vibes and sun-drenched coastal signage inspire the look and feel of packaging for the new Beach St. Vodka Soda beverage.

5 New Beverage Packaging Designs Celebrate Summer

From a soda can that provides access to virtual hip-hop concerts to a tequila seltzer package illustrated to conjure that ‘south of the border vacation’ feel, these recently released package designs celebrate summer togetherness.

Colgate-Palmolive products range from personal and home care items to pet food.

Colgate-Palmolive Focuses on Machine Health to Improve Supply Chain Operations

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the connection between production operations and the supply chain. In response, Colgate-Palmolive is connecting asset health and the supply chain to free up capital for strategic growth.

Figure A—Alan Day of State of Flux describes SRM as consisting of six main pillars that are all interconnected.

Kellogg and Mars: Views on Supplier Relationship Management

A growing body of evidence shows that if CPG companies are excessively fixated on price and price alone, other forms of value are not being capitalized on.

Three Growth Opportunities: Functional Beverages, Plant-Based Products & Men’s Personal Care

If ‘Knowledge is power,’ then understanding changing consumer preferences can help you grow your business. Here are three markets showing significant opportunities: functional drinks, plant-based protein alternatives, and men’s personal care products.

Paul Palmieri, CEO and co-founder at Tradeswell

What CPG Brands Can Learn from DTCs About Improving Holiday Sales

CPG brands should know winning online is not about staying ahead of new, challenger brands. It’s about anticipating the needs of the market and taking control of their ecosystems.