Companies constantly innovate with technology and redesign their packaging. Here’s a look at five recent examples of product redesigns, material switches and sustainable packaging solutions on Packaging Dive’s radar.
Comes out in the wash
British startup Notpla, which specializes in packaging made from seaweed and other plant-based material, is partnering with cleaning supply company Mack to release an alternative to plastic dishwasher and laundry machine pods. The sachets are made from plant-based water-soluble film instead of the commonly used dissolvable plastic polyvinyl alcohol. Notpla says its sustainable packaging completely dissolves in water, biodegrades and does not leave behind microplastics like competing PVA products.
This is the first commercial application for Notpla’s film material. The company says the product underwent a nine-month biodegradability assessment and surpasses industry tests.
Top it off
Augusta Label and Packaging is expanding its reclosable lid line for cans to include a child-resistant and a clear option, reports Packaging Strategies. The tops are designed to fit standard 55mm or 202 top cans. The company first introduced resealable can tops last fall and released a redesigned version in January.
Augusta suggests that the one-time use child-resistant cap lends well to cannabis-infused beverages. The company also says those lids are recyclable. The other lid, a clear plastic, snaps onto cans to prevent drink spills and lets users see the beverage inside the can. This product is reusable, according to the company.
Cold case
Ranpak launched its RecyCold climaliner, a paper-based thermal liner for cold chain shipping. The flexible liner maintains frozen or cold temperatures to protect perishable food and beverage products for up to 48 hours and can work either alone or in conjunction with cooling packs, according to a company news release.
“The increase in shipping of temperature-controlled items increases the need for scalable and sustainable technologies,” CEO Omar Asali said in the news release.
The pads are constructed from a top sheet and bottom sheet made from recycled paper, with a honeycomb paper layer sealed in between. According to Ranpak, the liners are 98.5% paper and are recyclable and biodegradable. Brands also can have messaging custom printed on the liners.
Bundled up
Costco asked WestRock to develop fiber-based handles as an alternative to plastic ring carriers for bundled bottles and jars. Thus, WestRock developed the EnduraGrip and Cluster-Clip fiber “dog bone” carriers.
In a video, WestRock designers described how they had to adapt the design for paper’s flexibility, compared with plastic’s rigidity, in addition to figuring out how to use automation during packing to apply the dog bone to a variety of products. The company says the carriers are also curbside recyclable.
“We’re pushing the boundaries of what paper should intuitively be able to do,” Britt Staley, WestRock design director for food and beverage, said in the video. “With the right design and engineering expertise, paperboard can be a really strong and sustainable packaging solution.”
Lighter medical mount
Spartech used its MediSheet material to provide a customer with a package that protects medical devices during shipment. The specialty polyethylene and HDPE offers a sturdy yet lightweight mounting card that is contained within sterile packaging. Spartech says MediSheet is recyclable and that the PE is a more environmentally friendly alternative to PVC.
