May/June 2026

Packaging World May/June 2026

E-commerce/D2C packaging

Column: E-commerce Forces a Packaging Reckoning

As online sales surge past critical mass, brands can no longer rely on retail-era packaging or costly workarounds to protect products, margins, and consumer trust. Former P&G executive Ken McGuire argues that e-comm has turned packaging from a back-end function into a strategic imperative.

April 21, 2026

Tide EVO laundry detergent pod package with three-step usage instructions and product dispenser

Containers & Closures

Flow Control Valve/Retaining Ring

Aptar Closures’ SureSnap is chosen for Cheer Pack N.A.’s SqueezeNSip spout for leak-free dispensing of on-the-go pouched beverages and low-viscosity food products.

April 20, 2026

3D rendering of a gray mechanical bearing or pulley component with concentric circular rings and internal cross-hatching detail

Logistics/Supply Chain

As Walmart DCs Automate, Pack Developers Face New Forces, Standards

The emergence of layer-by-layer robotic depalletizing in Walmart DCs is exposing a new failure mode, sustained horizontal (side-to-side) compression. This signals broader shifts in how cases and shelf-ready packaging must be designed, tested, and validated for automated distribution.

April 16, 2026

Layer-by-layer depalletizing systems move entire tiers of product at once, applying lateral pressure across cases to stabilize and transfer them—introducing sustained horizontal compression forces not typically accounted for in traditional packaging design.

Printable Smart Label

Reelables calls Anywhere the first Printable Smart Label for Bluetooth and cellular networks that can track cargo and parcels anywhere in the world.

April 14, 2026

Hand holding cardboard package with QR code next to smartphone displaying package tracking map

Inspect/detect/checkweigh/x-ray

Moving-Head Leak Testing System

ALPS Inspection introduces FlexPitch Solo, a single-head system that delivers reliable in-line leak testing for unstable containers without disrupting production.

April 8, 2026

FlexTech Solo automated inspection machine with control panel and conveyor system

Cleaning Chemicals Producer Tackles Labor Challenges with Cobot Palletizing

Faced with high labor turnover, tight floorspace, and nearly 900 SKUs, Nyco Products turned to modular cobot palletizing to stabilize end-of-line operations, improve throughput, and create a more sustainable workforce model.

April 1, 2026

Industrial robotic arm in manufacturing facility with machinery and cardboard boxes

Oishii’s Top-Seal Pack Leverages Liner, Barrier Film, and Recyclable Tray for Fresh Berries

Engineered for moisture control and gas exchange, Oishii’s format pairs a recyclable SBS tray with a functional liner and barrier lidding to boost shelf life and streamline materials.

March 23, 2026

Oishii Nikko Berry strawberries in clear plastic container, pesticide-free fresh pack

Containers & Closures

Mono-material Airless Tube

Neopac's NeoDose Solo combines a recyclable mono-PE pump with a high-barrier Polyfoil tube for oxygen and moisture protection, precise dispensing, and PE recycling compatibility.

March 18, 2026

Two NEOPAC NeoDose Solo sunscreen tubes with orange packaging and white applicator tips displayed on beige background

Kotex Moves to Cartons, Adds Dual-opening Design, in Portfolio-wide Pack Overhaul

Kimberly-Clark’s Kotex transitions from plastic film polybags to recyclable cartons, introducing dual-panel opening, integrated windows, and premium finishes that are all engineered for improved in-home use, and machinability with existing automation equipment.

March 18, 2026

Left to right: The back-panel perforation is engaged, the tear strip is removed, and the carton opens into dual flaps—creating a wide, accessible opening for product retrieval.

Tilt Beauty Designs, Certifies Cosmetics Packaging for Real Hands

Built around the Arthritis Foundation’s Ease of Use Design Guides, Tilt Beauty reengineered cosmetic packaging for grip, torque, and control. The application shows how inclusive design can elevate usability, brand loyalty, and packaging performance.

February 16, 2026

Tilt Beauty’s patented ergonomic lipstick component is wider at the ends to rest more naturally in the hand, with an extra-wide grip and proprietary soft, “squishable” material to enhance comfort and control. The magnetic cap is engineered with a calibrated pull force—strong enough to prevent accidental opening in a handbag, yet gentle enough to remove without significant twisting or hand strain. The design earned Arthritis Foundation Ease of Use® Certification following laboratory and human factors evaluation.

Page 3 of 3