Technology & Innovation: Page

  • 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
  • different types of packaging in different bins
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    Getty Images
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    The packaging industry outlook for 2026

    Take a closer look at some of the biggest topics and trends that industry leaders expect will shape commodity markets, dealmaking and the future of packaging policy.

    By Packaging Dive Staff • Jan. 30, 2026
  • Recyclable material moves on a belt toward a sorting robot made by Glacier
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    Courtesy of Glacier
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    The top 4 areas AI can benefit packaging circularity today: CGF report

    An estimated 30% of companies are leveraging artificial intelligence today and 70% see the greatest impact in the packaging design stage, market analysis and interviews with Consumer Goods Forum members revealed.

    By • Jan. 23, 2026
  • A person's hand dips a french fry into a side compartment that holds ketchup attached to red french fry box.
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    Courtesy of The Kraft Heinz Co.
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    Packaging innovations: Heinz gets a side piece, Butter Wines adds cans

    Plus, Saverglass introduces a line of glass wine bottles that are lighter than standard versions.

    By • Jan. 16, 2026
  • A cheeseburger served in a compostable food container at San Francisco's Jefferson Elementary School, on Dec. 15, 2025. The container is wrapped in plastic film to ensure food safety and to avoid spillage during transport.
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    Permission granted by Mary Catherine O'Connor
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    Deep Dive

    Compostable packaging acceptance remains contentious even as sector scales

    Regulatory questions cloud the segment’s future, as do concerns about feedstocks, material capabilities and compostability claims.

    By Mary Catherine O'Connor • Jan. 12, 2026
  • Packaged items on refrigerated grocery shelves.
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    Getty Images
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    5 packaging industry trends to watch in 2026

    Long-anticipated EPR and labeling regulations are poised to have very real impacts. The M&A cycle is advancing. And is there nowhere to go but up for containerboard?

    By , • Jan. 8, 2026
  • 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