Technology & Innovation


  • An electronic device positioned over collected recyclable materials on a conveyor belt.
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    Permission granted by Greyparrot
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    Kenvue tracks packaging through recycling stream with Greyparrot’s AI

    The collaboration spotlights use cases for AI in packaging, such as pinpointing the optimal hue for shampoo bottles to ensure recyclability. Identifying design changes gains importance as the packaging regulation landscape widens.

    By May 20, 2026
  • A row of colored sample products of Nothing cold cups
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    Maria Rachal/Packaging Dive
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    Lidless paper cups maker Nothing eyes expansion, driven by microplastics concerns

    The recently rebranded company is looking to set up U.S. production, said co-founder Brandon Leeds, as it aims to appeal to foodservice businesses and microplastics-wary consumers with foldable hot and cold cup designs.

    By May 19, 2026
  • A variety of lightbulb-shaped plastic containers that have branding for Lytt alcoholic beverages.
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    Courtesy of Boston Beer Co.
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    Packaging innovations: Lytt’s lit containers, Duni’s paper is the new black

    Plus, Sappi North America and CJ Biomaterials introduce products that resist grease in foodservice applications.

    By May 15, 2026
  • Industrial equipment and boxes are seen from an aerial view inside a facility that says Smurfit Westrock operation center on the wall.
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    Permission granted by Smurfit Westrock
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    Automation takes center stage at Smurfit Westrock ‘superplant’ in Wisconsin

    From pizza to industrial products, there’s a corrugated box for that at the year-old, $136 million Pleasant Prairie plant. Automation lets it use about 60% of the labor of a traditional box plant, while scale enables service to greater Chicago.

    By May 7, 2026
  • Yellow packaging robot in a plant
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    Permission granted by Schneider Packaging Equipment
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    Sponsored by Schneider Packaging Equipment

    5 common bottlenecks in palletizing and how to fix them

    These are the top five palletizing bottlenecks, the solutions and the best time to address them.

    By Stephenie Felski, Sr Marketing Manager • May 4, 2026
  • The top of an aluminum can has a device that allows reclosing.
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    Permission granted by Re:Lid USA
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    Wish you could reseal your canned beverage? Now you can.

    Re:Lid USA is partnering with L.A. Libations to launch canned water with a reclosable aluminum lid. The next step is to establish a U.S. manufacturing presence for the can innovation.

    By April 30, 2026
  • Two corrugated boxes with red heart symbols on the front are stacked on a doorstep.
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    Courtesy of CVS Health
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    Packaging innovations: CVS Health swaps foam, PPG coats pet food cans

    Plus, Amcor goes lighter on sauce caps and UPM Specialty Materials works with Felix Schoeller on a barrier solution for flexible food packaging.

    By April 24, 2026
  • A pouch with a transparent window houses cannabis flower.
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    Getty Images
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    Cannabis companies send smoke signals about packaging regulation challenges

    As adult recreational cannabis becomes more mainstream, companies are putting a greater focus on product packaging. Industry participants say they must balance compliance with controlling quality and costs.

    By April 20, 2026
  • Two jugs of laundry detergent.
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    Courtesy of Walmart
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    Walmart to modernize Great Value private label packaging design

    The retailer is revamping its private label design for the first time in a decade. Changes will occur over a two-year period.

    By Daphne Howland • April 15, 2026
  • Sponsored by Lantech

    The automation gap no one talks about — until it stops the line

    Automation is transforming warehouses—but one overlooked process is still creating bottlenecks.

    April 6, 2026
  • A large jug of dish soap with Dawn branding on the front and messaging about an easy-pour spout.
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    Courtesy of Procter & Gamble
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    Packaging innovations: Dawn of a new jug, Sunset’s tomato love triangle

    Plus, Blueland adds some plant-based zip to its pouches, PulPac brings plastic-like dry molded fiber to bottle caps, and UFP Packaging launches nail-free crates.

    By Updated April 6, 2026
  • Eight people, some with hard hats and shovels, stand outside on a dirt site in front of a blue sign that says "coming soon."
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    Courtesy of Tetra Pak
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    Tetra Pak launching $22M facility to support food, beverage innovation

    The company intends to work with food and beverage customers, as well as co-manufacturers, that own Tetra Pak’s equipment. They’ll collaborate on innovation projects from ideation to product launch.

    By April 1, 2026
  • A screenshot of a demo of the Forest AI platform for packaging
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    Permission granted by Matthew Wright
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    AI-powered platform aims to speed packaging chats and sales

    Matthew Wright, the founder of Specright, wants to create a new digital home for the packaging industry via Forest, an AI-powered platform that’s being designed to streamline new connections and transactions.

    By March 20, 2026
  • SmartLabel QR codes on products.
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    Catherine Douglas Moran/Packaging Dive
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    Barcode changes are coming. SmartLabel wants grocers to be ready.

    The initiative that gives consumers detailed product information via QR codes is gearing up for a major shift in retail technology.

    By Catherine Douglas Moran • March 16, 2026
  • A variety of paper-based packaging with Graphic Packaging International's branding sits on a display shelf at a conference.
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    Katie Pyzyk/Packaging Dive
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    Paper-based flexibles could reduce pollution from small-format plastics: EMF

    Fiber-based flexibles do “not yet exist at the scale, cost, and performance needed” to solve the flexible plastic pollution problem, according to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s newly released guide.

    By March 10, 2026
  • A screenshot of a video showing Chupa Chups' "impossible" lollipop's various coatings.
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    Screenshot: Bartle Bogle Hegarty/YouTube

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    Packaging innovations: Chupa Chups says ‘good luck’ with ‘final boss’ wrapper

    Plus, Parkside launches three compostable films and Nova Chemicals commercializes two grades of recycled polyethylene.

    By March 6, 2026
  • Three bottles of Waiakea bottled water are displayed against a tropical background.
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    Courtesy of Waiakea
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    A ‘catalyst for change’: How Waiākea is pioneering sustainable packaging in bottled water

    The Hawai'i-based brand said it is the first company in the world to print labels with algae-based inks, adding its climate values help it stand out.

    By Laurel Deppen • March 5, 2026
  • An aerosol can with branding for Axe body spray.
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    Permission granted by Axe
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    Axe redesigns aerosol can to pass the sniff test

    The can’s new propellant technology is the first such change in roughly two decades, according to a Unilever senior manager. It reduces overspraying with components designed to provide targeted product application.

    By Feb. 27, 2026
  • Flat cardboard boxes in a factory
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    Getty Images
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    Gen AI could transform packaging pricing: McKinsey

    There was a jump in AI adoption for commercial optimization by packaging companies in 2025. “They are walking the talk in many ways,” said one partner. “Our expectation is that 2026 will be all about at-scale deployment.”

    By Feb. 24, 2026
  • Pouring spices on food
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    Freepik / Mandy Hensley Vecchio

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    Sponsored by MRP Solutions

    The essential guide to choosing spice bottle caps for secure containment and easy dispensing

    Optimize spice caps for secure containment, fast filling, sustainability and a better consumer experience.

    Feb. 23, 2026
  • A person stands behind a podium that's in front of a blue background that says The Packaging Conference.
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    Katie Pyzyk/Packaging Dive
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    Takeaways from The Packaging Conference 2026

    Speakers at the February event discussed timely industry topics including M&A, EPR, innovation and market growth.

    By Feb. 20, 2026
  • Rolls of paper being printed on industrial machinery.
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    Permission granted by Georgia-Pacific
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    Digital printing poised to ‘mature’ in 2026

    Factors such as brands’ input, artificial intelligence and system interoperability are expected to influence adoption of digital printing for packaging this year, according to a newly released report from Keypoint Intelligence.

    By Feb. 19, 2026
  • Flexible plastic packaging pouches
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    Getty Images
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    Multilayer film design meets machine learning

    Research authored by partners from the Bottle Consortium and published in Nature Communications this month aims to challenge the status quo, exploring recyclable alternatives for performance films.

    By Feb. 18, 2026
  • A person uses a pouch containing olive to refill a bottle with yellow and black Terra Delyssa olive oil branding on the outside.
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    Courtesy of CHO America
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    Packaging innovations: Terra Delyssa does an oil change

    Plus, Top Cup got the Ball ahead of the Super Bowl, and Saica Group helps Unilever give plastic film the Axe.

    By Feb. 10, 2026
  • A worker in a safety vest stands in a large warehouse with rows of shelves. Brown packages move along a conveyor belt, indicating a busy, organized environment.
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    Getty Images
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    Sponsored by TemperPack

    How next-gen designs are closing the gap between boxes and traditional mailers

    TemperPack’s new padded mailers deliver box-level protection without the box-level hassle.

    Feb. 9, 2026