Technology

  • 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
  • Kroger Ocado
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    Courtesy of Kroger
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    Kroger rolls out Avery Dennison RFID tech

    The automation technology aims to provide more frequent and accurate inventory insight to prevent food waste and streamline in-store operations. 

    By Peyton Bigora • Oct. 24, 2024
  • A clear plastic thermoform container for strawberries with Gem-Pack Berries' logo.
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    Permission granted by Gem-Pack Berries
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    Gem-Pack Berries ditches clamshell labels with Multisteps’ digital printing technology

    Multisteps Industries expects its direct-to-packaging printing to improve recyclability for Gem-Pack’s PET clamshells for berries, starting this year.

    By • Oct. 18, 2024
  • A person wearing an augmented reality headset uses calipers in an industrial facility.
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    Katie Pyzyk/Packaging Dive
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    Deep Dive

    Reality check: AR, VR transforms training for packaging manufacturers

    Augmented and virtual reality experiences at Greif, Papacks, Smurfit Westrock and Sonoco are working to boost employees’ skills and safety, pushing packaging manufacturing training into its “next era.”

    By • Oct. 16, 2024
  • People holding coffee cups with natural-colored, fiber-based lids.
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    Courtesy of PulPac
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    Q&A

    PulPac leverages partnerships to advance its dry molded fiber technology

    The company is experiencing growth as it touts its technology's carbon footprint benefits over the wet molding process. Identifying coatings free of PFAS is a sticking point, says Chief Commercial Officer Sanna Fager.

    By • Oct. 15, 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
  • Three people sit in chairs on a stage and one person stands at a podium, with a green background behind all of them that says Packaging Recycling Summit.
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    Katie Pyzyk/Packaging Dive
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    Insights from the 2024 Packaging Recycling Summit

    AI applications, recycled plastic supply and demand, and how brands are thinking about extended producer responsibility were among the topics Packaging Dive covered from this year’s event in California.

    By • Sept. 27, 2024
  • A large screen at a conference shows how artificial intelligence works for recycling equipment.
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    Katie Pyzyk/Packaging Dive
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    Advancements push AI from jargon into practice for packaging management

    Glacier demonstrated at the Packaging Recycling Summit how it developed new AI models through partnerships with Colgate and Amazon to capture more recyclables at MRFs.

    By • Sept. 26, 2024
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    Permission granted by Driscoll's
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    Thermoform reclamation rises along with rPET demand

    As one speaker at the Packaging Recycling Summit called thermoforms an “untapped source” for reclaimed PET, Rumpke Waste & Recycling plans to begin accepting the containers in curbside recycling.

    By • Sept. 24, 2024
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    alvarez via Getty Images
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    AI is ‘more of an evolution than a revolution’ for packaging: PMMI report

    Numerous practical applications of AI are already here for packaging machinery OEMs and their end users, though not without challenges. PMMI Business Intelligence shares recommendations on how companies can get started.

    By • Sept. 18, 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
  • 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
  • PulPac Scala machine, which is a dry molded fiber production line
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    Courtesy of PulPac
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    Dart delves into dry molded fiber for lids, licensing PulPac tech

    The food service packaging company and Solo Cup distributor is the first in North America to license a more compact production platform from the Swedish dry molded fiber specialist.

    By • Sept. 13, 2024
  • Califia Farms bottle
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    Permission granted by Califia Farms
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    Califia Farms acquires Uproot to reduce packaging via food service dispensers

    Uproot has more than 150 dispensers across the U.S. at college campuses and other dining locations. The announcement follows the plant-based beverage brand’s rollout of 100% rPET bottles in the U.S. and Canada.

    By Elizabeth Flood • July 25, 2024
  • An industrial printing and box-making machine bears branding from EFI and Packsize.
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    Permission granted by EFI
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    Digitally printed, rightsized boxes could change the shape of e-commerce

    EFI and Packsize collaborated on a system they say checks the right boxes to boost packaging customization, which can help brands connect with consumers and improve sustainability. 

    By • June 18, 2024
  • One person stands and speaks to five people seated at a metal table in an industrial setting with a Tetra Pak logo on the wall.
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    Permission granted by Tetra Pak
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    Q&A

    Tetra Pak training center expansion offers ‘golden opportunity’ for employee engagement

    Fabio Raffone, a company vice president, describes how virtual and hands-on training sessions help to build the workforce of the future while reducing turnover.

    By • May 21, 2024
  • A row of multicolored Jones Soda bottles
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    Courtesy of Jones Soda Co.
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    Augmented reality entices brands with endless off-package marketing space

    Brands such as Almond Breeze and Jones Soda have found that visuals accessed via phone cameras can engage and educate shoppers. As the technology advances, packaging will offer increasing opportunities to test this.

    By Leslie Nemo • May 20, 2024
  • A variety of different colored pouches of Dionis Goat Milk Skincare lotion.
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    Courtesy of Dionis Goat Milk Skincare
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    Packaging innovations: Bandit Wines cartons offer augmented reality, Huggies ups PCR in diaper bags

    Plus, Dionis Goat Milk Skincare lotion now comes in refill pouches and American Packaging Corp. tackles pet food pouch recyclability.

    By • May 6, 2024
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    Permission granted by Clemson University
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    Q&A

    Design and sustainability opportunities draw in next generation of packaging students

    Greg Batt, who serves as director of the packaging science program at Clemson University, also highlighted the growing role of data.

    By • April 15, 2024
  • Wide shot of a building exterior with the "Myplas" logo.
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    Permission granted by Myplas
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    Eviction threat looms as film recycler Myplas accrues $1.3M in unpaid bills

    Unexpected financial challenges occurred shortly after the company launched its highly anticipated Minnesota polyethylene film recycling operation in December, according to Peter Shippen, Myplas board chair.

    By • Updated April 15, 2024
  • A 24-pack of beverage cans sitting in a cardboard base with a fiber wrapper around them.
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    Katie Pyzyk/Packaging Dive
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    5 packaging innovation trends to watch in 2024: SPC

    AI, digital labeling and “paperization” top the movements highlighted in the Sustainable Packaging Coalition’s inaugural Packaging Innovation Trends Report.

    By • April 9, 2024
  • Rows of Tide detergent bottles on a store shelf
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    P&G, Dow pursue dissolution technology for recycling rigid, flexible, multilayer plastic packaging

    The in-development technology represents neither mechanical nor advanced recycling, according to Dow. The intent is for the resulting material to be of “near-virgin quality” with a lower greenhouse gas emissions footprint.

    By • March 29, 2024
  • Andy Lomasky, senior director of IT for PMMI, stands at a PMMI podium on the Industry Speaks stage at Pack Expo East on March 20, 2024.
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    Maria Rachal/Packaging Dive
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    How IT and OT can team up on cybersecurity in manufacturing: PMMI

    The association and partners also highlighted post-pandemic investment in remote services at Pack Expo East.

    By • March 28, 2024
  • Sign for the US Department of Energy out-front of their headquarters the James Forrestal Building in Washington, D.C.
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    The Bold Bureau via Getty Images
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    International Paper, O-I Glass win DOE funds for industrial decarbonization

    Targeting “difficult-to-decarbonize sectors,” the Biden administration calls its 33 project awards “the largest investment in industrial decarbonization in American history.” Diageo, Eastman, Gallo Glass and ExxonMobil are also recipients.

    By • March 25, 2024
  • Holy Grail demo in Pertuis, France.
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    Permission granted by Digimarc
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    Digimarc shifts packaging watermarking strategy to reach producer responsibility organizations

    The company sees EPR laws in U.S. states as a possible catalyst for expansion of its recycling technology. It's now seeking contracts with various types of central buyers that could manage a program at scale.

    By • Feb. 28, 2024