Companies constantly innovate and update their packaging to get better performance, improve marketability and enhance sustainability. Here’s a look at five recent product launches or redesigns on Packaging Dive’s radar.
In the loop
Loop Industries partnered with Bormioli Pharma to create a pharmaceutical bottle manufactured with 100% recycled PET resin. The companies said in a news release that the resin is virgin quality, the product has undergone third-party testing and it is compliant with U.S. and European requirements for pharmaceutical packaging. They said the test results “set a new benchmark for recycled plastic products within the pharmaceutical industry, as the bottles produced with Loop PET resin do not release any substance deemed of toxicological relevance.”
The bee’s knees
Smurfit Kappa created a fiber box for transporting live bees. Crop protection company Biobest asked the packaging company to design an insulated, weather-resistant box that would replace the expanded polystyrene foam versions it had been using. The product needed to be able to withstand extended periods outdoors because they’re used during outdoor fruit and vegetable pollination.
Smurfit Kappa developed the box from its water-resistant AquaStop paper, and testing indicates it can last for six to eight weeks outdoors. Inside the box, paper-based honeycomb inserts protect and insulate the bees. The company said in a news release that this product is also recyclable.
I scream, you scream
Seaweed-based packaging company Notpla revealed its latest product: an ice cream spoon. The rigid material is made entirely from seaweed and plants and is backyard compostable, the company said in a news release. Notpla touts the spoon as a plastic alternative that’s sturdy with a smooth mouthfeel, and the material works in existing manufacturing equipment.
The spoon is exempt from the European Union’s Single-Use Plastics Directive because it’s made from natural materials that aren’t chemically altered, according to Notpla. The ice cream spoons need to be sealed in an airtight container until use.
A lid for every pod
Ahlstrom launched PureLid, a fiber-based lid for single-serve coffee capsules that it says is compostable. It received certifications from TÜV for both home and industrial compostability.
"It was a substantial challenge to transition from industrial compostable solutions to home compostable ones while maintaining the high-performance standards of our coffee capsule lidding solutions and the crucial oxygen barrier,” said Philippe Sevoz, vice president of beverage and casing, in a news release.
The oxygen barrier is intended to preserve the coffee’s freshness and flavor, and the product also has a dust filter. PureLid is an alternative to metal or plastic lids and is an ideal option for a variety of coffee pod companies aiming to reduce their environmental footprint, according to Ahlstrom.
Breaking the mold
Winpak helped Hiland Dairy develop new packaging as the food company launches a design revamp. Winpak’s in-mold labeling technology allowed Hiland Dairy to move past basic designs and print higher quality images and graphics on its packaging, which helps to set the brand apart, according to a news release. The IML technology also cuts waste, reduces labor costs and promotes recycling, according to the company.
“This new printing technology allows Hiland Dairy to represent our brand in a more modern, beautiful way,” Sarah Carey, Hiland Dairy marketing manager, said in the news release.
The new containers also include UV light and oxygen barriers to ensure freshness and extend shelf life. They launched in December and will hit store shelves soon.
