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

Industries: Page 465

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

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

Tamper-evident machinery

Plastic pails for dairy

IPL Packaging has introduced its full line of 12 Series containers/pails, complete with the company’s Tamper Evident system.

April 6, 2007

Conveying & accumulation

Flexible checkweigher

WeighPack now offers the Striker Checkweigher, equipped to handle weight ranges from 15g to 310g and suitable for a variety of different packaging types including bags, bottles, cans, cartons, and boxes.

April 5, 2007

Cosmetics/Personal care

Balluff: UV luminescence sensor

Balluff’s BLT 31M sensor effectively detects UV luminescent materials and markers with a range of 300 mm.

April 5, 2007

Blisters/clamshells/thermoforming materials

Automated pack line aids successful company launch

Organic cereal processor carefully selects bag f/f/s, cup-filling, and case-packing equipment to optimize new plant efficiencies.

April 5, 2007

Controls & Machine Components

Renco Encoders Inc: Compact optical encoder

Renco Encoders has introduced a 3.3 V feature for the RCML15 compact optical encoder, which provides signals for brushless motor commutation as well as incremental position feedback in a low profile (.350” heigh) optical encoder. A custom LED and CMOS sensor arrangement reduces cost while improving performance and reliability of the encoder package.

April 5, 2007

Containers

Automated multipacking

Primary packaging of Bifi snacks isn’t the only operation that has been upgraded through automation at Unilever’s Ansbach plant. Multipacking of unit packs into multipacks also took a step forward about a year ago when a Model CP5.14.14/S vertical form/fill/seal system from Hastamat (www.hastamat.com) was installed.

April 4, 2007

Blisters/clamshells/thermoforming materials

Unilever gets a boost from Robotics

Quick-change versatility and a boost in throughput are two of the benefits gained since a four-robot packaging cell was installed at this Unilever meat plant in Germany.

April 4, 2007

Soups/Condiments/Sauces/Spices/Dips/Dressings

Windowed package provides view, protection for glassware

Originating in Turkey, Carnis Ambalaj Sanayi A.S.’s Pasabahce tea set sleeve carton protects and partially displays three tea glasses and saucers. The block-and-brace design prevents the glasses and the saucers from touching, providing protection against breakage. Die-cut windows on the back and front panels enable shoppers to view the glassware as they make their purchase decision.

April 4, 2007

Consumer packaged goods

UK paint container doubles as a roller tray

ICE Paints markets Gliddens Rollable paint in the United Kingdom in a container that also holds a roller tray. The package functions as a storage unit and also serves as an integral functional component of the product. The Quick-Roll co-polymer polypropylene container, from Superfos Packaging (www.superfos.com), enables consumers to paint directly from the 11” x 65⁄8” tray area, which is melted into the container, without mess or wasted paint.

April 4, 2007

Detergents/cleaners

Cleanser whips up the essence of marshmallows

The central feature on Kao Corp.’s Bioré Marshmallow Whip facial cleanser, distributed in Japan, is a pump foam dispenser. This pump makes a whipped lather that cannot be achieved by using hands. To make a whipped lather, a mesh is installed in the pump and at the tip of the nozzle. Mesh inside the nozzle is designed more finely than for inside the pump. With a round bottle shape and screw cap, the package design resembles a marshmallow.

April 4, 2007