Smurfit-Stone: Bag-handling robot

The Robotic Vision System, or RVS, from Smurfit-Stone (Salt Lake City, UT) works with custom-designed end-of-arm tools and the Fanuc system robot.

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The RVS visualizes bags in 3D, assessing their length, width and depth. Customized end-of-arm tooling lets the robot find and pick up an empty bag, apply it to the filler, identify the pallet on which it belongs and determine the current height of layers on that pallet before placing the new bag.

WestRock

When is a Retrofit Appropriate for Packaging Machinery?

Retrofits of existing packaging machinery can result in substantial cost savings, and enable an incremental approach to Industry 4.0 initiatives. But they may not always be the right choice.

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Report: Innovative New Robotics at PACK EXPO Las Vegas

PMMI Media Group editors fanned out across the many booths at PACK EXPO Las Vegas to bring you this Innovations Report. Here’s what they saw in the robotics category.

Beverage manufacturers can find the right solutions for these challenges at PACK EXPO East (March 21-23, Philadelphia).

Four Drivers Changing the Beverage Industry

PACK EXPO East offers CPG solutions to the packaging and processing beverage challenges of functionality, sustainability, consumer health consciousness and convenience.

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Solving Packaging Format Challenges: Communication is Key

When CPGs and OEMs discussed challenges surrounding packaging formats, designs, and materials, most said improving industry partnerships is the solution.

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Leaders In Packaging 2022: A Thank You from the Publisher

'Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.'– Henry Ford

Lip A Lexandria

Alexandria Tech Students Earn PMMI, PMG Packaging Scholarship

This Minnesota State system school boasts a strong Applied Mechatronics program located right in the center of a well-known, thriving packaging machinery building region in and around Alexandria, Minnesota.

Unilogo Robotics’ Cleanline packaging system targets liquid product CPGs in industries like cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and household cleaners and chemicals.

Linear Servo Track System Allows Production-on-Demand for Liquid Filling

With the help of a track system from B&R, this Polish OEM is building machines that make it practical for liquid products CPGs, like cosmetics or pharma companies, to plan for short and specialized product runs.

Sustainability Secrets from Tetra Pak & Compass Group USA

Tetra Pak and Compass Group Talk Sustainability

Listen as global packaging and processing heavyweights break down how brands develop on-pack messaging that appeals to consumers.

Mounted on a conveyor at PACK EXPO Las Vegas were three digital printing technologies from GSI: Colorize 360 (A), Colorize 180 (B), and NOLabel (C).

In-house CMYK Case Printing for CPG Companies

By combining a sophisticated understanding of inks with the latest in ink-jet print engines, GSI and IP are bringing in-house, on-line CMYK Case printing to the packaging line.

The company opted for HERMA Basic applicators for nine packaging lines, applying 300mm-long top labels for product identification and tamper evidence, as well as a label on the side of the kit’s box.

Korea-Based Biotech Co. Outfits Nine COVID-19 Test Kit Lines with New Labelers

Bioneer is meeting test kit needs with applicators that apply 300mm-long top labels for product identification and tamper evidence.

Typical of the short-run projects Spectrum can handle with its new digital press is this carton for a dozen 4-fl-oz bottles of a brain boost supplement.

B2+ Digital Inkjet Press Brings New Opportunities

Plenty of commercial printing companies have expanded into the packaging market in recent years, and many times they do so by way of digital printing technology. Spectrum Printing Co. of Tucson, Ariz., is a good example.

Global Minute: Packaging and Machinery Updates from the UK, Iraq, Spain, and Mexico

Packaging updates from around the globe; retailer-led sustainable packaging material directives, high-speed automated solutions, and paper can package design.

Kellogg's trials paper liner bags

Kellogg's Tests Paper Cereal Liner, and Other Fiber-Based Plastic Replacements

See a few examples of paper or fiber-based packaging innovations from ThePackHub’s January Packaging Innovation Briefing Report.

Eastman’s molecular recycling technologies break down hard-to-recycle plastic waste into building blocks used to create new materials that are comparable to traditional materials in clarity, luster, and mechanical properties.

Cosmetics Brands to Benefit from Molecularly Recycled Material

Equipped with 42 filling nozzles, the Fogg filler handles 1-L as well as both 700- and 750-mL glass bottles.

Maker’s Mark Ups Its Packaging Game

When it came time for a packaging line upgrade, this well-known producer of bourbon tackled filling and capping first—coding, inspection, and case sealing quickly followed.

Jon Silverman, Vice President, Physical Products, Grove Collaborative

Catching Up with Grove Collaborative as it Goes Public

Jon Silverman, Grove’s Senior Vice President, Physical Products, catches Packaging World up on the once emerging, now fully emerged brand owner, including the most recent big news that it plans to go public.

PANTONE® 17-3938 Very Peri is described as a dynamic periwinkle blue hue with a vivifying violet red undertone.

Pantone Color of the Year 2022 Unveiled

The newly released color is said to be a ‘symbol of the global zeitgeist of the moment and the transition we are going through.’

AMERIPEN: Packaging Policy Update & 2022 Outlook

Packaging World speaks with AMERIPEN Executive Director Dan Felton and the association’s Principal Lobbyist, Andy Hackman, of Serlin Haley, about current and future U.S. federal and state packaging policy.

Customers across the U.S. can now shop online at Loop by Ulta Beauty for beauty and personal care products in durable, sustainable packaging that can be returned for refill.

Counting Down the Top 10 Articles of 2021 - #1: Ulta Unveils First-of-its-Kind Circular Beauty Packaging Platform

Based on online clicks and unique page views, we are counting down the Top 10 articles of 2021. Check out this March 2021 article, topping our countdown, on a durable, reusable packaging that can be returned for refill and reuse.

Top 2021 Video: Trend Toward Paperboard Can Handles Leaps From Craft Brew to Major Food/Bev Multipacks

What started as a craft brew trend toward paperboard replacing its plastic can handle multipacks is now being seen in brands like Coca-Cola and Heinz UK. Watch this 'Take Five with Packaging World' video to learn more.

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Corrugatyed Shortage

Counting Down the Top 10 Articles of 2021 - #2: COVID Trickle-Down Tied to Potential Corrugated Shortage

Based on online clicks and unique page views, we are counting down the Top 10 articles of 2021. Check out this March 2021 article, #2 on our countdown, on a pandemic-related potential corrugated shortage.

Among the new formats are a hexagonal paper tube for the Smarties Giant Tube, a multipack consisting of paper tubes held together with a label, a paper bag for small cartons of mini Smarties, and a stand-up pouch.

Counting Down the Top 10 Articles of 2021 - #3: Nestlé Achieves ‘Paperization’ of Confectionery Packaging

Based on online clicks and unique page views, we are counting down the Top 10 articles of 2021. Check out this March 2021 article, #3 on our countdown, on Nestlé's transition from plastic to paper on 419 SKUs of candy.

The first fully sustainable board game.

Counting Down the Top 10 Articles of 2021 - #4: Hasbro Phases Out Plastics

Based on online clicks and unique page views, we are counting down the Top 10 articles of 2021. Check out this March 2021 article on how a major board game company will “bring sustainability to family game night.”

Amazon Insulative E-commerce Paper Packaging

E-Commerce Packaging Innovations: Amazon Insulative Paper Packs, Leak-Proof Lids, and Returnable Trial

See a few examples of e-commerce packaging innovations from ThePackHub’s December Packaging Innovation Briefing Report.

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Counting Down the Top 10 articles of 2021 - #7: Dove’s Sleek New Refillable Deodorant Pack

Based on online clicks and unique page views, we are counting down the Top 10 articles of 2021. Anne Marie Mohan's report on Dove's refillable stainless steel deodorant comes in at #7.

Nestlé and Mars Wrigley Roll Out Paper-Based Confectionery Packs Replacing Plastic Predecessors

Discover 2021's Top Video from Packaging World: Transitioning from plastic to paper for Nestlé’s Smarties brand candies required extensive R&D in new materials, new package designs, equipment compatibility, and recycling potential.

Colgate-Palmolive is inviting European consumers to make toothbrushing part of their beauty ritual, with its new Elixir line of three toothpaste formulas in a striking PET package.

Counting Down the Top 10 articles of 2021 - #8: Colgate Toothpaste in PET Ushers in a ‘Frictionless Future’

Based on online clicks and unique page views, we are counting down the Top 10 articles of 2021. Anne Marie Mohan's report on Colgate's waste-eliminating toothpaste tube tech checks in at #8.

The Coca Cola Company has introduced its first-ever beverage bottle made from 100% plant-based plastic, excluding the cap and label, with a limited run of approximately 900 of the prototype bottles.

Counting Down the Top 10 articles of 2021 - #9: Coca-Cola Unveils 100% Plant-Based PET Bottle, Ready to Scale

Based on online clicks and unique page views, we are counting down the Top 10 articles of 2021. Anne Marie Mohan's report on Coca-Cola's 100% plant-based bottle checks in at #9.

Counting Down the Top 10 articles of 2021 - #10: Magnum Tub First with Certified Circular Plastic

Based on online clicks and unique page views, we are counting down the Top 10 articles of 2021. Anne Marie Mohan's report on an ice cream application using advanced recycling comes in at #10.

Image credit: BelliWelli

How to Leverage 2022’s Biggest Packaging Design Trends

2021 wasn’t exactly the breath of fresh air many of us had hoped for, but there’s a certain air of optimism as we look toward 2022 that is already having an impact on design trends for the year ahead.

Ampersand Projects Cooler Pack

Ease-of-Use Packaging: Drink Cooler Packs, Olay's Accessible Lid Prototype, and Family Size Aseptic Cartons

See a few examples of packaging innovations making life easier from ThePackHub’s December Packaging Innovation Briefing Report.

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Automation and Education Two Keys to Solving Workforce Issues

Automation can eliminate monotonous tasks for employees, while better education and training is needed to engage current workers.