Packaging innovations: SEE sells self-sealing solution, Capri Sun grows up

Companies constantly innovate with technology and redesign their packaging to get better performance, improve marketability and enhance sustainability. Here’s a look at five recent packaging product launches or redesigns on Packaging Dive’s radar.

SEE’s self-sealing solution

There’s no crying over spilled milk with SEE’s new self-sealing cap for its Liquibox bag-in-box and bag-in-tray milk dispensing systems. The self-sealing cap fits 2- to 20-liter professional dairy dispensing systems, and SEE says the applications could include at restaurants, convenience stores, gas stations and catering businesses. The technology enhances hygiene and reduces food waste, according to a company news release.

SEE said the product has a recycle-ready design that “stands out as the only PP- and silicone-free alternative in the market,” meaning components do not need to be separated prior to recycling.

SEE completed its acquisition of Liquibox in early 2023.

Go big and go home

Two large bottles of Capri Sun fruit punch flavored beverage. — Optional Caption

Courtesy of The Kraft Heinz Co.

Capri Sun is pushing past the pouch and offering a new beverage packaging format: 96-ounce multiserve bottles. Fans of the beverage have been calling for a larger serving size for years, owner The Kraft Heinz Co. said in a news release. In fact, the company reported that from 2020 to 2023, 76% of suggestions Capri Sun received at its call center were consumer requests for a larger size. The company said this size is ideal for consumption at home, as opposed to the pouches’ on-the-go applications.

“We’re now able to delight those fans that grew up on Capri Sun with an offering that suits their needs. They’ve outgrown the serving size of the pouch, but not their love for Capri Sun,” Jordan Mann, senior brand manager, said in the release.

The bottles are available now in two-packs of the fruit punch flavor at BJ’s Wholesale Club, Sam’s Club and select Costco locations. Capri Sun said this addition is intended to drive brand growth, especially at a time when consumers are are seeking value at club retailers.

Putting the screws to plastic

Two bottles of Great Earth nutritional supplements with fiber-based screw-on caps. — Courtesy of Blue Ocean Closures

Swedish caps and lids producer Blue Ocean Closures unveiled a fiber-based screw-on cap for Swedish nutritional supplement producer Great Earth. The “disruptive innovation” presents an alternative to plastic, the dominant substrate for screw caps. The recyclable, 38-millimeter top is 95% fiber content, the company said in a news release.

“We are proud that we have taken this concept from idea to market introduction in just over two years,” Lars Sandberg, CEO of Blue Ocean Closures, said in the release.

The first batch of the cellulose fiber screw tops will become available on a limited scale in June.

Cold case

A pallet-sized container for cold-chain shipments with Candor Expedite's branding on the side. — Courtesy of Candor Expedite

Transportation company Candor Expedite launched a new food chain division that relies on reusable packaging for cold-chain shipments. Small boxes of frozen and refrigerated products retain their temperature for up to four days in the reusable containers, and large pallets retain temperature for up to nine days, the company said in a news release. Temperature readings and GPS tracking are available to monitor products’ temperatures and locations in real time.

“We’re excited to bring this new, unique technology to the food industry — reducing costs, eliminating claims, and offering real-time temperature and location monitoring,” Nicole Glenn, Candor’s founder and CEO, said in the release.

The company said the reusable boxes contain no harmful toxins and do not require extra insulation or cardboard.

Compostable cutlery

A dispenser with different sections for different types of cutlery -- spoons, forks and knives -- in a commercial kitchen setting. — Optional Caption

Permission granted by Better Earth

Better Earth has introduced compostable cutlery made from crystallized polylactic acid. The Georgia-based food service packaging maker said in a news release that the cutlery meets the ASTM D-6400 standards for compostability and is the “first on the market to comply with BPI's labeling standards for commercial compostability.”

Better Earth also released a touch-free dispenser, which holds up to 300 units of the cutlery. Customers only come in contact with the cutlery they use, which the company said significantly reduces contamination. The dispenser is suitable for fast-casual restaurants, food courts and other food service businesses, according to the company.