Companies constantly innovate their packaging to get better performance, improve marketability and enhance sustainability. Here’s a look at some of the recent products and innovations on Packaging Dive’s radar.

Tube top

Stora Enso worked with Blue Ocean Closures and AISA to create what it says is the first paperboard tube with a fiber-based top closure. The barrier-coated paperboard tube material and screw cap contain more than 85% fiber content, which the company said in a news release is the highest proportion available in such a design.

The tube’s components were designed for recycling, the company said, and to displace plastic, which is the most commonly used tube material, especially for caps.

“Making our paperboard tubes more commonplace in today's packaging landscape requires finding sustainable closures, too,” says Salvatore Sortino, head of business alliance at Stora Enso, in the news release.

The squeezable tube is intended for cosmetics and personal care products and should be available commercially next year.

Totally tubular

Another tube innovation with a top touted as more sustainable comes from Tubex, which launched a monomaterial unit for refilling existing containers. The 100% recycled aluminum tube can be recycled again after use.

The tube does does not have a plastic cap; the user snaps off the aluminum tip and empties the contents into a reusable container, such as a perfume bottle. The tip can then be inserted back into the tube so it gets recycled. 

“Refill packaging will be disposed of immediately after use, so it must have a low environmental impact and be easy to recycle,” according to a news release from Tubex.

Taking heat

Compostable packaging manufacturer Good Natured Products released a line of microwaveable containers. The company said in a news release that these are the first Compost Manufacturing Alliance certified compostable, high-clarity, heat-resistant containers that are made from 97% plant-based materials. 

The containers are designed for grocery stores and food services to displace single-use plastic food ware, and they reportedly are leak-resistant when used for either cold or hot food. They’re currently available in the U.S. and Canada.

Meat idea

Graphic Packaging International launched a flexible, fiber-based package that is currently being used for cooked meats at Tesco grocery stores in the UK instead of the traditional plastic trays — but it can be used for a variety of food or non-food applications. The thermoformable packaging material is 90% fiber and considered recyclable in many countries, according to the company.

GPI says the high fiber content reduces the carbon footprint by 85% for this packaging compared with plastic trays. The inner film layer can be customized to minimize plastics while offering medium to high barrier protection, and it can be made peelable for ease of use.

Pump it up

The new line of patented single-polymer dispensing pumps from TriMas are made solely from a polypropylene material that the company said is fully recyclable by customers after product use. This offers a more sustainable alternative to conventional up-lock dispensing systems that contain multiple material types, according to the company.

The pump received a Class A certification from RecyClass, which promotes plastic waste traceability and improved plastic recycling in Europe. 

In shape

ClearBags now offers flexible, stand-up pouches that come in a variety of shapes and sizes, as opposed to the standard geometric pouch design. The bags are made from food-safe materials — including, but not limited to, kraft paper —  and feature a zip-top that can also be heat sealed. 

The company indicates that the pouches can be customized to a customer’s theme and are suitable for housing both food and non-food products.