Companies constantly innovate with technology and redesign their packaging to get better performance, improve marketability and enhance sustainability. Here’s a look at three new or updated packaging solutions on Packaging Dive’s radar.
Battery packaging recharge
Energizer Holdings will launch plastic-free, paper-based packaging for its portfolio of batteries. The company says the new plastic-free boxes are recyclable, except for the seals on select packs.
Energizer conducted “extensive research” to shape the design for what it calls user-friendly, easy-to-peel packaging. The boxes also can be used to store extra batteries, the company said in a news release.
"With a legacy of pioneering innovative solutions that benefit consumers globally, advancing the sustainability of our packaging was a natural next step on our responsibility journey," Lori Shambro, executive vice president and Chief Marketing Officer, said in the release.
The new fiber boxes will begin showing up at Walmart stores in March, and Energizer says other North American retailers will follow throughout the year. Once all retail partners switch to the new packs, more than 90% of Energizer’s North American portfolio will be sold in plastic-free packaging, the company says.
Caps off
Carton Service CSI introduced a cap-free, self-dispensing gable-top carton. The patent-pending paperboard product is specifically designed for use in wet environments and can be used to hold “unusual contents” including soap, lubricants and eggs, the company said in a news release.
The no-cap opening is perforated and although it cannot be reclosed, internal testing shows the hinged opening still protects the contents well enough to be used in wet environments like showers, kitchens and laundry rooms “for a period of time considered ‘average use,’” a spokesperson said via email.
The carton comes in various sizes and paperboard specifications, depending on individual customer requests, according to the spokesperson. As far as barrier choices, some customers prefer foil-lined board and some opt for HDPE-lined board — while others stick with 100% paperboard, the spokesperson said.
Smaller sticks
Berry Global is adding new SKUs to its line of refillable packaging for personal care items. The three sizes — 15 milliliter, 20 milliliter and 25 milliliter — are smaller than previous offerings, providing a convenient “on-the-go” option for items like deodorant, sunscreen and lip products, the company said in a news release.
The stick is made from monomaterial polypropylene and can be manufactured from postconsumer recycled plastic that Berry says is also recyclable at end of life. The bottom-fill design also enables fast and efficient filling, the company says.
The smaller sizes now allow brands to create a family of products that helps to encourage consumer loyalty, Berry says.
