Containers

New plant food package reduces product returns

Retailers were returning a percentage of EnviroSafe Lab’s Dynamite Plant Food unsold because the product’s tubular containers cracked during distribution or became weathered over time when exposed to rain and the sun’s heat on the shelves outside of lawn-and- garden centers.

July 31, 2005

Industries: Page 536

Closures

Anheuser-Busch to double aluminum beer bottle capacity

According to St. Louis-based Anheuser-Busch, demand from retailers, wholesalers, and consumers for its beer in 16-oz aluminum bottles is so strong that the brewer will double its capacity for the package by this fall.

July 31, 2005

Dairy

Convenience, portability power packages

Food Marketing Institute (FMI) spokesman Todd Hultquist offered the following packaging trends and insights based on his observations from the recent FMI show in Chicago:

July 31, 2005

Beverage

Coffee bags exhibit local flavor

Expanding nationally in 2005, the award-winning line of three World Harvest Estate coffees from Melitta USA, Clearwater, FL, present a wine-inspired flair using an earth-tone design.

July 31, 2005

Flexibles

Labatt launches first insulated beer cans

The new 473-mL (16-oz) Labatt Blue Cold One beer from Labatt Breweries of Canada, Toronto, Ontario, is packaged in aluminum cans wrapped in preprinted, insulated shrink labels.

July 31, 2005

Flexibles

Analyst expounds on food packaging trends

Esther Palevsky, an analyst for the Freedonia Group, listed the following as key food packaging trends:

July 31, 2005

Labels

Bottle sports a gripping redesign

Coca-Cola North America introduced in April a new bottle design for its Powerade sports drink that's easier to hold and grip.

July 31, 2005

Flexibles

Package redesign precipitates White Rain sales gain

Diamond Products Co. reports a 16% increase in first quarter 2005 sales of its White Rain-brand shampoos and conditioners, following a packaging redesign.

July 31, 2005

Conveying & accumulation

Clabber Girl's plant guy

Ed Wilkins, executive director of plant operations for Clabber Girl Corp., Terre Haute, IN, has more than 25 years with the 155-year-old company.

July 31, 2005

Flexibles

Clarity, gloss help India cosmetics brand bloom

The cosmetics industry is growing rapidly in India, and cosmetics companies in that country are beginning to grasp the importance that visual clarity and gloss play in package design.

July 31, 2005

Flexibles

Companies

O-I officially opened a glass manufacturing plant in Windsor, CO, which will produce more than 1 billion bottles annually.

July 31, 2005

Bakery/Snack

Whole grain sources?

What constitutes an “excellent source” of whole grains?

July 31, 2005

Cosmetics/Personal care

No to organic logo on cosmetics

USDA says cosmetics and personal care products are not eligible to carry the "USDA Organic" label because no standards have been established for them.

July 31, 2005