Sustainability

Packaging for a global marketplace

As today's marketplace becomes increasingly global, how does that affect the way products are packaged? The strategies adopted by these firms provide some useful clues.

March 31, 1999

Blisters/clamshells/thermoforming materials: Page 99

Blisters/clamshells/skin packaging

SmithKline speeds package development

Packaging plays a key role in SmithKline Beecham's efforts to launch new drugs globally versus market-by-market. Material standardization may also help reduce time-to-market by nearly half.

March 31, 1999

Sustainability

Packaging glossary a full load

How does one set out to assemble the definitive glossary of packaging terms?

March 31, 1999

Bag/pouch fill/seal (pre-made bags)

Packaging for a global marketplace (sidebar)

How does a $13 billion multinational food and beverage company keep Mexico apprised of packaging developments in Morocco?

March 31, 1999

Blisters/clamshells/thermoforming materials

Supplier news: Relocations, expansions

MAAC Machinery Corp. (Itasca, IL) has broken ground on a new facility in Carol Stream, IL, with completion targeted for August 1999. The new thermoforming machinery mfg.

February 28, 1999

Conveying & accumulation

Shrink bags add spice to enchilada packaging

Enchilada maker Bueno Foods uses a shrink-bag over a tray to pack and merchandise frozen enchiladas. Customers like the microwavability, Bueno likes the ease of use and strong graphics.

February 28, 1999

Flexible packaging

Flexible materials earn Green Globe Award

Heath Manufacturing wins a Green Globe Award from the Flexible Packaging Assn. for a bird suet cake package that uses less material than its predecessor. New equipment increases productivity while saving labor costs.

February 28, 1999

Blisters/clamshells/skin packaging

New pack saves money for Oral-B

Gary Bentrim, manufacturing engineer for Oral-B's Iowa City, IA, manufacturing plant, disclosed that its new clamshell pack for the CrossAction(TM) toothbrush is more than a technological marvel (see Packaging World, Feb.

February 28, 1999

Cartoning

Technology 'inches' forward at Oral-B

Oral-B concludes three-year project to develop new brush and creative preprinted package structure. Inks, thermoforming, materials handling, package closing systems all gain in new developments.

January 31, 1999

Sustainability

3Com adds thermoformed plastic tray to its 'network'

Computer communications gear maker 3Com replaces a variety of materials with a plastic thermoformed tray that protects shipments of its network adapter cards and cuts manual packing time by half.

January 31, 1999

Blisters/clamshells/thermoforming materials

Size does matter for 72

A 72" clear polyvinyl chloride clamshell for Kirsch curtain rod and accessory sets may set the record for one of the longest such packages around. Spotted at the recent Pack Expo '98 show in Chicago at the booth of thermoformer Innovative Plastech (Batavia, IL), the pack debuted about a year ago in upscale department stores.

January 31, 1999

Bag/pouch fill/seal (pre-made bags)

MAP pack for fresh red meat and sauce

The Tesco chain of supermarkets in the United Kingdom is testing a new twist on fresh red meat in modified-atmosphere packs. It's a line of refrigerated "pan fry or grill" cuts, including pork, beef and lamb, that come with a complementary sauce.

January 31, 1999

Flexibles

Spuds bud in barrier trays

Potatoes are breaking into a new market with Purely Idaho brand potatoes from Burley, ID-based Redi Foods. Packed in a tray with clear film lidding and sleeved in colorful paperboard, this modified-atmosphere package has a 21-day shelf life.

January 31, 1999