Design

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    Katie Pyzyk/Packaging Dive
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    Stories from Pack Expo International 2024

    At the largest Pack Expo event ever held, Packaging Dive connected with manufacturers, brands and trade groups for insight on the latest industry trends.

    By Packaging Dive Staff • Updated Nov. 14, 2024
  • Three different sizes of cartons that bear branding for Pactiv Evergreen's SmartPour.
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    Katie Pyzyk/Packaging Dive
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    Packaging innovations at Pack Expo 2024: Pactiv Evergreen cartons go dry, Packsize melts emissions

    Plus, Accredo Packaging sweetens the pouch space with a 100% biobased bag, Greif shows off a recycled fiber food container with a water-based coating and Georgia-Pacific’s mailers get gusseted up.

    By , • Nov. 8, 2024
  • An aerial view of exhibitors set up in a large convention hall.
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    Katie Pyzyk/Packaging Dive
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    Automation, labor shortage discussions permeate largest-ever Pack Expo

    Sustainability also sat among the top themes at Pack Expo International in Chicago this week, including a focus on reusable and flexible packaging. PMMI says the event broke records for attendance and the number of exhibitors.

    By • Nov. 7, 2024
  • Close-up view of zippers for compostable packaging from Fresh-Lock
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    Permission granted by Fresh-Lock
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    Packaging suppliers and CPGs increasingly zip up flexible packaging

    Experts from Fresh-Lock, the U.S. Plastics Pact and Clemson University say that functionality testing covering closure durability and accessibility is critical among a range of consumers. 

    By Shefali Kapadia • Nov. 6, 2024
  • A paper-based cup and a wooden stir stick with Southwest Airlines branding sit on an airline tray table next to a window.
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    Courtesy of Southwest Airlines
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    Southwest Airlines brings bamboo on board for new cups

    The airline recently stirred up change when it began stocking the bamboo-based cold beverage cups and wooden stir sticks, following a yearlong R&D process stemming from plastic reduction goals. 

    By • Oct. 29, 2024
  • A person using two hands to unscrew Rare Beauty's Soft Pinch liquid blush
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    Permission granted by Rare Beauty
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    Deep Dive

    ‘Everybody benefits’: Why the beauty industry needs to get serious about accessible packaging

    Rare Beauty and Target have taken steps to develop guidance around universally accessible design, but the industry isn’t prioritizing it yet.

    By Caroline Jansen • Oct. 15, 2024
  • A graphic depicting, from left to right, the current How2Recycle icons and the proposed redesigned How2Recycle icons
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    Permission granted by GreenBlue
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    How2Recycle revamp

    How2Recycle doesn’t want to abandon the chasing arrows

    Consumer comprehension data played a central role in how How2Recycle redesigned its instructional label, leaders of the process explained. But potential restrictions in California pose a challenge.

    By • Updated Oct. 14, 2024
  • Four different colored cans of wine on an in-flight tray table.
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    Courtesy of United Airlines
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    Packaging innovations: United Airlines’ canned wine, Chivas Regal’s light spirits

    Plus, RXDco puts cannabis in a cocoon, Novolex flags product tampering and KYSU switches from plastic to paper. 

    By • Oct. 11, 2024
  • Fiber packaging on equipment at a shipment fulfillment center.
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    Permission granted by Amazon
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    Brands make packaging design changes for e-commerce compatibility

    Pandemic-related and sustainability trends, along with Amazon's requirements, are among the factors prompting Clorox, Mars Wrigley and Nestlé to tweak product packaging designs they use for e-commerce.

    By • Oct. 10, 2024
  • A woman in a supermarket smiles and holds a smartphone above a carton
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    Courtesy of GreenBlue
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    How2Recycle revamp

    How2Recycle Plus ready to take dynamic labels mainstream

    The new offering features a QR code so consumers can access localized recycling information. It will come at a higher price to brands than the more traditional How2Recycle Pro label. Danone will be the first to adopt it.

    By • Oct. 4, 2024
  • A box of Hot Pockets microwaveable sandwiches.
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    Permission granted by Nestlé USA
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    Packaging innovations: Hot Pockets go sleeveless, Henkel’s coating lightens dry food packaging

    Plus, hair care brand Overtone joins a Target sustainability initiative as it launches tubes with a new look and PCR.

    By • Oct. 4, 2024
  • A person in glasses and a long sleeve shirt stands on a stage in front of the word "Advance"
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    Permission granted by GreenBlue
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    How2Recycle revamp

    The How2Recycle label is getting a new look

    The campaign to transform the instructional label program involves a refreshed design, enhanced data sources and partners handling different aspects of the system, and planning for greater investment in consumer education.

    By • Oct. 1, 2024
  • A view of vendor displays on the show floor at Pack Expo East at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia on March 20, 2024.
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    Maria Rachal/Packaging Dive
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    Packaging trade shows to watch in 2025

    Mark your calendar: These U.S. conferences and events will cover timely trends in sustainable packaging design, recycling technologies, regional market trends, substrate evolutions, automation and more.

    By Packaging Dive Staff • Oct. 1, 2024
  • A lineup of plastic cleaning product containers without labels
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    tarasov_vl via Getty Images
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    Q&A

    What’s next for product certification amid concerns about PFAS and toxics in plastic

    Lagging regulation and a potential “toxic treadmill” with recycled content are viewed as just some of today’s pressing challenges. Clean Production Action Executive Director Mark Rossi reflects on two decades of change in the field.

    By • Sept. 30, 2024
  • Nespresso
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    Courtesy of Nespresso
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    Nespresso spotlights aluminum in marketing campaign

    The Nestlé coffee brand timed the campaign to New York's Climate Week as it seeks to position itself as a more sustainable format than other single-use coffee products.

    By Sara Karlovitch • Sept. 27, 2024
  • Two bottles of wine - one rose, one chardonnay - on a wood table with a charcutier board, and two empty wine glasses
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    Courtesy of Albertsons Companies
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    Packaging innovations: Bottle material changes from Albertsons and Johnnie Walker

    Plus, Cambio Roasters and Glatfelter debut new coffee pod packaging, while Sleever partners with Carbios for a biodegradable shrink sleeve.

    By • Sept. 27, 2024
  • Aerial view indoors of a warehouse space with Home Depot boxes on pallets
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    Courtesy of The Home Depot
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    Home Depot phases out EPS, PVC in fiber packaging overhaul

    The process required ample testing and collaboration. “We sell light bulbs, we sell appliances, we sell toilets. These are products that are prone to damage if they are not secured with the right packaging,” said one sustainability leader.

    By • Sept. 20, 2024
  • Five people sit on chairs on a stage during a panel discussion at a conference.
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    Katie Pyzyk/Packaging Dive
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    Breaking out of the mold: Innovations in molded fiber drive growth

    Speakers at an International Molded Fiber Association event detailed advancements in the energy efficiency of manufacturing equipment, dry molded fiber and R&D to expand into new end-use markets.

    By • Sept. 18, 2024
  • Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ultra 70cl Scotch whisky glass bottle
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    Courtesy of Diageo
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    Packaging innovations: Johnnie Walker’s lightest bottle design, Seda’s double-walled compostable cold cups

    Plus, Sonoco scales its paper-based cans, Braskem touts packaging material made from used cooking oil and Sealed Air details its work with Best Buy on protective packaging.

    By , , • Sept. 17, 2024
  • A line of Via Carota sparkling cocktails in various colors
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    Permission granted by Via Carota Craft Cocktails
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    Ready-to-drink cocktail brands seek ‘bar cart worthy’ premium glass packaging

    “Ready-to-drink” products, many of which come in cans, account for an estimated 12% of the U.S. beverage alcohol market by volume. As glass bottle makers look to diversify, they’re pitching their packaging as premium.

    By Hollie Stephens • Sept. 16, 2024
  • A person speaks into a microphone from a stage where they are next to a podium with a placard branded for the IMFA 2024 conference.
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    Katie Pyzyk/Packaging Dive
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    Molded fiber’s growth as a plastic replacement isn’t pulp fiction

    While the market is expanding, speakers at an International Molded Fiber Association event said it still faces an entrenched competitor in plastic and hurdles with feedstock availability, energy use and other factors.

    By • Sept. 16, 2024
  • Hands hold an Aerflo reusable carbon capsule
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    Permission granted by Aerflo
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    Sparkling water craze meets reuse with Aerflo’s launch

    Investor Closed Loop Partners hailed the convenience of the startup’s refillable bottle system. Aerflo estimates its reusable capsules, which carbonate water on the go, could each displace more than 330 beverage cans.

    By • Sept. 12, 2024
  • Box with paper internal packaging covering products
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    Courtesy of Amazon
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    As Amazon and others nix air pillows, packaging manufacturers diversify to cushion the blow

    Packaging companies are having to adapt to keep up as e-commerce expands and protective packaging trends shift. Retailers are trying new void fill materials, rightsizing packages and more.

    By Shefali Kapadia • Sept. 10, 2024
  • Two sizes of McDonald's McFlurry ice cream treat in cups with four flaps at the top.
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    Courtesy of McDonald's
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    Packaging innovations: McDonald’s four-flap McFlurry, Capri-Sun bottle debate

    Plus, New England Coffee ditches its plastic pod base for commercially compostable materials.

    By • Sept. 6, 2024
  • Two people eat pizza out of a Pizza Hut box which has a base that can be folded into a miniature table.
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    Courtesy of Pizza Hut
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    Packaging innovations: Pizza Hut’s box makes a move, Vital Proteins chooses paper over plastic

    Plus, Restaurantware adds a compostable food service products line and Pactiv Evergreen introduces an alternative to polystyrene foam trays.

    By • Aug. 30, 2024