Best of Connects: Our Editors' Favorite Innovations

Available for only two more weeks, here are short clips from our editors discussing their personal picks from last Fall's PACK EXPO Connects. Make plans to be back live in Vegas this September.

Mar 17th, 2021

Our editors have seen it all. Dozens of shows, hundreds of plant tours. So what turns their heads at a show?

We asked the team to record short videos of the exhibits that caught their eye last Fall during PACK EXPO Connects. No, they did not walk the aisles, but they attended both live and pre-recorded demos, Innovation Stages, Trend Chats and our own TV Show, Jumpstart.

At the end of each day of the virtual show, we elected a pair of writers to download the best of Connects - real innovation from exhibitors. We offer these insightful observations one last time before we take down more than 60 hours of educational material at the end of this month (March 31). Our team could not catch it all. But we will be walking the aisles again for PACK EXPO Las Vegas September 27-29, 2021.

SEE IT ALL ONE LAST TIME Sixty hours of educational sessions from sustainability to cannabis. Amazon and e-commerce, remote access and workforce development.

Now for the editorial team's head-turning picks...

Top Virtual Show Finds with Packaging World’s Pat Reynolds and OEM Magazine’s Stephanie Neil

PACK EXPO Connects Daily Download: Monday

Best of Tuesday’s Demos and Presentations by Packaging World’s Matt Reynolds and Editor at Large Aaron Hand

PACK EXPO Connects Daily Download: Tuesday

OEM Magazine’s Natalie Craig and ProFood World’s Joyce Fassl Discuss Packaging and Processing Equipment Innovations

PACK EXPO Connects Daily Download: Wednesday

Life Sciences & Controls Innovations with Healthcare Packaging’s Keren Sookne and Automation World’s David Greenfield

PACK EXPO Connects Daily Download: Thursday

Matt Reynolds and Pat Reynolds from Packaging World Wrap Up the Show

PACK EXPO Connects Daily Download: Friday

Spirits producer Amass has moved into cannabis with a THC- and CBD-infused non-alcoholic beverage.

Top Five Trends in Spirits and Wine in 2021/2022

GlobalData predicts new consumer trends and consumption habits in spirits and wine resulting from supply chain disruptions, climate change issues, and a shift in consumer attitudes.

More Editor’s Picks from PACK EXPO Las Vegas, Day Two

Watch Packaging World’s Emeritus Editor Pat Reynolds and Content Director Jim Chrzan as they rattle off a handful of interesting, innovative, or trending findings from the floor of PACK EXPO Las Vegas last month.

Chris Walsh, CEO and Founding Editor at MJBiz

Considering Cannabis Packaging?

There are a few things to consider when moving into cannabis packaging. Read what this exploding market requires, and where it’s headed.

HPP aligns with consumer health trends

Health-Based a Top Trend in High Pressure Processing

HPP touches on the better-for-you and clean-label consumer trends, as well as sustainably utilizing perishable produce, and the growing pet food market.

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ABB's Automated Omnichannel Fulfillment

At PACK EXPO Las Vegas 2021, ABB showed its technologies for developing automated omnichannel fulfillment operations for customized production.

Handled with care: Your cookies and crackers deserve the best!

Handled with care: Your cookies and crackers deserve the best!

They are a delight around the world – and a challenge for manufacturers everywhere. The guide provides an analysis of the market trends and the corresponding requirements focusing on handling and infeed technology.

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Wicked Good Cupcakes' Tracey Noonan Keynotes PPWLN Breakfast

The Shark Tank entrepreneur offers advice on building a business from scratch.

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Packaging Machinery Shipments Rise

Despite pandemic constraints, shipments increase 14.7%.

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Pat's Picks Podcast: Sachets, CMMS, and a Paper Blister Pack

Editor Emeritus Pat Reynolds reports from Day One at PACK EXPO Las Vegas, where a print/form/fill/seal machine for liquid-filled sachets, a cloud-based Computerized Maintenance Management System, and a unique all-paper blister pack caught his eye.

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.

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.

Handled with care: Your cookies and crackers deserve the best!

Handled with care: Your cookies and crackers deserve the best!

They are a delight around the world – and a challenge for manufacturers everywhere. The guide provides an analysis of the market trends and the corresponding requirements focusing on handling and infeed technology.

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.

PMMI Business Intelligence: Mexico Packaging Market

Investment in Packaging Machinery Maintains Positive Growth Trend in Mexico

The most recent business intelligence report drafted by PMMI about investment in packaging operations in Mexico confirms growth during the second quarter and projects significant increments for the following months.

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The Connected Package: Consumers Want to Know Your Story | Technical Workforce Development Trends Within Manufacturing

Consumers want more from their brands and no package can hold the entirety of your brand's story. QR codes can unlock your brand experience. Also on Take Five: NAM initiatives reach out to minority communities to fill the demand for a quality workforce.

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Importing Cannabis Packaging? Make Sure Your Packaging Suppliers Know the Industry

From the Cannabis Packaging Conference West in Anaheim: With U.S. Customs and Border Protection on the hunt for what they deem to be 'paraphernalia,' packaging suppliers must be aware of nuance in describing what products are coming into the country.

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.

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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.

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Which Consumer Trends Will Be Here to Stay Post-Pandemic?

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 Business intelligence

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.

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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.

Sterling Anthony

Packaging Should Star in Brand Licensing Agreements

Packaging’s importance to the brand should be carried over in licensing.

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.

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Beverage Manufacturers Use Reformulation and Labeling to Align with Consumer Trend

Health-conscious consumers are looking for better-for-you food and beverage options and are willing to spend more to get them. Manufacturers are meeting this demand with cleaner formulations and clearer labeling.

Functional beverages are a fast-growing segment of the beverage market.

Ready-to-Drink Functional Beverages the Latest Growth Market

Nootropics and pre, pro, and post-biotics are all popular growing beverage offerings, particularly in RTD or premium packaging. These offerings do come with challenges for beverage manufacturers, however.

Growing a Successful CBD Brand

Medterra has only been in business for four years, but this brand has been leading CBD sales in U.S. grocery for over 16 months and is expanding rapidly.

The most important strategy to make packaging more sustainable is to reduce the amount of plastic.

Beverage Manufacturers Respond to Consumer Trends on Plastic Packaging

Plastic has become an issue for consumers, particularly related to plastic waste in the environment. This directly impacts the beverage industry, which is made up of 45% rigid plastic packaging, only 25% of which ends up being recycled in the US.

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Cybersecurity Risks Mount While Bag-in-Box Gives Brewers “Cider Security”

In this two-part Take Five, we first take a look at mounting risks around cybersecurity, then switch gears to look at a rising bag-in-box trend among intentionally flat beers and ciders.

There are some common challenges when launching a new food or beverage product.

Accelerating Speed to Market for New Food and Beverage Product Ideas

There are some common challenges when moving a new food or beverage product from idea to reality, and some considerations such as packaging and sustainability that are an integral part of the process.

unPACKed podcast: Market Disruption as a Competitive Advantage

unPACKed podcast: Market Disruption as a Competitive Advantage

Listen to the unPACKed with PMMI podcast as Tom Morrison outlines a classic good news/bad news evaluation for the next five to ten years.

Sterling Anthony

Approved Vendor Lists for Packaging

To be told, “You’re on my list,” is welcomed news when it refers to an AVL.