Design

  • Flexible plastic packaging pouches
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    Getty Images
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    2025 packaging trends by the numbers

    A $10.4 billion acquisition. Two new EPR laws. A $1 billion kraft linerboard mill investment. These were some of the figures that stood out in the packaging industry this year.

    By , • Dec. 23, 2025
  • Dry ice is being made from a machine while a person's hands wearing protective gear scoops the dry ice pellets.
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    Getty Images
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    Deep Dive

    Cold-chain packaging companies adapt as dry ice supply falters

    Tight supply of the CO2 used to make dry ice is creating ripple effects across supply chains. Packaging suppliers are stepping up with cold-chain innovations to address the trend and to improve safety and sustainability.

    By • Dec. 15, 2025
  • Two different containers of Sue Bee spun honey made of different plastics and featuring different looks.
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    Permission granted by Sioux Honey Co-op
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    Packaging innovations: Sue Bee honey’s buzzy tub change, Veritiv chills out bulk shipments

    Plus, UPM launches a biobased black pigment, Eat Happy Kitchen spices up with metal and Ajinomoto Cambrooke’s new cap boosts accessibility. 

    By • Dec. 12, 2025
  • Four children play with Lego bricks and open a paper bag containing the bricks.
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    Courtesy of The Lego Group
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    Packaging innovations: Lego favors fiber, Old Bay gets back to basics with metal

    Plus, Burgopak designs a supplement pack that’s worth its weight in salt.

    By • Dec. 3, 2025
  • An Amcor sign on a building
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    Courtesy of Amcor
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    Amcor eyes ‘dual end of life’ optionality for innovation investments

    The company’s long-term R&D strategy includes seeking solutions that work in a future with recycling or composting infrastructure, explained Rebecca Meile, manager of corporate venturing and open innovation.

    By • Dec. 1, 2025
  • A bottle containing clear liquid with a device at the bottom that creates a vortex inside the bottle.
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    Retrieved from Amoon Spirits on November 24, 2025
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    Packaging innovations: Amoon Spirits’ vodka stirs up a vortex

    Plus, 3 Tres Tequila stacks up its bottles, La Terra Fina cuts plastic in its quiche packaging and Sabert leans into PFAS-free compostables.

    By • Nov. 25, 2025
  • Dozens of Babybel cheese products in red packaging come off a production conveyor belt.
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    Permission granted by Bel Group
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    Say cheese: How Babybel is commercializing its plastic-to-paper makeover

    Bel Group is spending millions to adapt its global production lines to handle the fiber substrate instead of biobased plastic, said the VP of research, innovation and development. But the signature red wax isn’t going anywhere.

    By • Updated Dec. 1, 2025
  • Two people wearing protective gear work with molten glass in an industrial lab setting.
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    Permission granted by Penn State University
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    Verallia, Penn State envision low-carbon future for glass

    In addition to being lower carbon than conventional soda lime silicate glass, the LionGlass material invented at Penn State is more resistant to cracks. The early-stage partnership with Verallia could result in a prototype in about a year.

    By • Nov. 19, 2025
  • A photo of the open kitchen in a convenience store. The work area of the kitchen can be seen behind a glass cold case with sandwiches and other packaged foods.
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    Jessica Loder/Packaging Dive
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    Convenience store food popularity spurs packaging adaptations

    As some consumers frequent this channel over fast-food restaurants and replace meals with snacks, TC Transcontinental sees how food packaging can help build trust, emphasize freshness and offer new on-the-go formats.

    By • Nov. 19, 2025
  • A person's hand holds a cardboard box via an integrated handle and pours fluid from a spout on the box.
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    Permission granted by Smurfit Westrock
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    Packaging innovations: Smurfit Westrock’s BIB isn’t hard to handle, Mannol’s caps cut counterfeits

    Plus, Reusables.com gets a patent for technology that tracks reusable containers while keeping consumers’ sensitive payment information private.

    By • Nov. 7, 2025
  • Packages of Green Giant frozen offerings.
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    Courtesy of B&G Foods
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    Deep Dive

    Food and beverage giants play catchup on packaging investments

    CPGs like Conagra, B&G and Suja increasingly appreciate the gravity of split-second consumer decision-making — and are devoting resources accordingly.

    By Christopher Doering • Nov. 3, 2025
  • A close-up view of a paper-based sachet with messaging that says dishwasher pod and plastic-free.
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    Courtesy of SmartSolve
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    Packaging innovations: SmartSolve’s products go down the toilet, Seaman Paper avoids scuffs

    Plus, Village Farms’ valve keeps cannabis scents in check and Ahlstrom launches coffee pods that break down at home.

    By • Oct. 31, 2025
  • Oreo Cookies are displayed next to Aldi Supermarket's Benton's brand cookies
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Food giants may lean more on lawsuits as private label encroaches on their turf

    Mondelēz and J.M. Smucker have accused discount retailers of blatantly copying their products and packaging. Experts say more litigation is likely coming.

    By Christopher Doering • Oct. 28, 2025
  • Two people sit on stage in front of a background that reads "Redefining Recyclability"
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    Cole Rosengren/Packaging Dive
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    California’s labeling law resets the market for recyclability claims

    SB 343 has prompted concerns about packaging categories such as cartons, flexibles, film, small-format and more.

    By • Oct. 27, 2025
  • A screenshot of people speaking during a webinar
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    Megan Quinn/Packaging Dive, data from Screenshot
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    CPGs and suppliers discuss the ‘magic’ of melding packaging design with policy

    Sustainable packaging innovation is a balancing act between regulatory compliance and eye-catching design, speakers from Consumer Brands, Graphic Packaging and SmashBrand described during an event.

    By Megan Quinn • Oct. 17, 2025
  • A large screen inside the Las Vegas Convention Center shows the Pack Expo logo and reads "CELEBRATING 30 YEARS"
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    Maria Rachal/Packaging Dive
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    How Pack Expo attendees see packaging materials changing

    PMMI plans to expand its polls about expected shifts in the packaging materials that companies use, such as phasing out certain types of plastics. That data could assist OEMs and CPGs in a variety of ways, the association says.

    By • Oct. 8, 2025
  • A person shops at a Walmart in Florida, next to an aisle of personal care products
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    Amazon, Walmart, CVS, Target rethink private-label flexible packaging

    The retailers teamed up with the Sustainable Packaging Coalition to find alternatives for flexible films with low-barrier requirements. GreenBlue Executive Director Paul Nowak said more categories are on the horizon.

    By • Oct. 3, 2025
  • Four empty trays for food service applications are in front of a white background.
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    Permission granted by CJ Biomaterials
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    Packaging innovations: CJ Biomaterials debuts PHA coatings, CNG’s film goes matte

    Plus, Design Polymerics switches its pail color and Ball lands an aerosol can certification.

    By • Oct. 3, 2025
  • Demonstration of Association of Plastic Recyclers Design Assessment Tool
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    Retrieved from Association of Plastic Recyclers YouTube on October 01, 2025
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    APR launching its 1st total-package recyclability assessment tool

    Citing demand from members and EPR-related needs, the Association of Plastic Recyclers’ tool will test packages against the most up-to-date versions of the longstanding Design Guide for Plastics Recyclability.

    By • Oct. 1, 2025
  • Hundreds of people in a convention center
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    Katie Pyzyk/Packaging Dive
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    Top packaging trade shows in 2026

    These conferences and events — ranging from smaller-scale niche gatherings to shows bringing together some 50,000 people — promise fresh opportunities for learning and making connections.

    By Packaging Dive Staff • Oct. 1, 2025
  • Assortment of Aldi products against a light blue background
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    Courtesy of Aldi US
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    Aldi launches massive private label rebrand

    The grocer is launching its first-ever namesake brand and stamping its name on the packaging of every store brand product in its assortment.

    By Peyton Bigora • Sept. 24, 2025
  • A variety of clear water bottles without labels are lined up.
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    Courtesy of Sam's Club
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    Packaging innovations: Sam’s Club loses labels, Crocs blacks out

    Plus, PakTech introduces a can cap to prevent children from getting into beverages infused with hemp or cannabis.

    By • Sept. 12, 2025
  • Stacks of black plastic food containers being packaged
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    Getty Images
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    Deep Dive

    Can recycling advancements get black rigid plastics off packaging’s blacklist?

    More MRFs are adding technologies to sort the material, but some brands and manufacturers are still switching away from the color. As black plastic reaches a tipping point, end market challenges create uncertainty about its future.

    By • Sept. 9, 2025
  • A variety of scientific equipment and raw materials.
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    Permission granted by erthos
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    Colgate-Palmolive signs on to AI tool for biomaterials development

    Biomaterials company Erthos plans to commercialize its platform, Zya, in early 2026 to aid CPG companies with faster and less risky development of biopolymers for packaging.

    By • Sept. 8, 2025
  • Screenshot of Trellis webinar: How to Shift to More Sustainable Packaging in the ‘EPR’ Era
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    Maria Rachal/Packaging Dive, data from Trellis
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    ‘The EPR era’ brings new opportunities for packaging sustainability

    Sustainability leaders from Amcor, Stonyfield and MegaFood shared some of their experiences and outlooks for redesigns during a virtual event Tuesday.

    By • Aug. 27, 2025