Technology & Innovation: Page

  • A Greyparrot AI system sits on top of a sorting line
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    Courtesy of Greyparrot
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    Recyclers give packaging designers a glimpse into limitations, opportunities in today’s MRFs

    Leaders from Republic Services, Rumpke Waste & Recycling and elsewhere discussed their role in recycling plastics at the Sustainability in Packaging US conference.

    By • March 17, 2025
  • Packaging plant
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    Permission granted by Combi Packaging Systems
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    Sponsored by Combi Packaging Systems

    The hidden cost of packaging inefficiency - and how to fix it

    Rethink manual packing—boost efficiency, cut labor costs and improve throughput with better ergonomics.

    By Chris Rempe • March 10, 2025
  • Hands hold a white paper cup filled with yogurt and fruit
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    Courtesy of Huhtamaki
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    Packaging innovations: Less plastic in dairy cups, paint refills, pallet wraps

    Huhtamaki, Mondi and Ranpak recently announced new packaging launches and technology integrations.

    By • March 7, 2025
  • Two people wearing protective garments handle bottles of Johnnie Walker Black Label in a lab.
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    Retrieved from PA Consulting on February 24, 2025
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    Deep Dive

    Testing 1, 2, 3: How CPGs get more sustainable packaging to store shelves

    Brands face pressures to meet sustainability goals and comply with regulations, all while keeping costs in check as they transition to new forms of packaging. Sealed Air, Sappi and Diageo shared more about collaborative development.

    By Shefali Kapadia • March 3, 2025
  • A variety of small-sized packaging and caps in various colors and shapes.
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    Katie Pyzyk/Packaging Dive
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    Caps, pumps, pods: Preventing small packaging from slipping through recycling systems

    Tens of thousands of tons of small-format packaging could be captured each year with technological upgrades, according to a Closed Loop Partners report.

    By • Feb. 24, 2025
  • Robotic packaging
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    Permission granted by Combi Packaging Systems
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    Sponsored by Combi Packaging Systems

    Maximizing profit margins: The strategic shift to end-of-line packaging automation

    Discover how automating end-of-line packaging can enhance efficiency and boost profit margins.

    Feb. 10, 2025
  • A box of Energizer batteries with company branding on the front.
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    Courtesy of Energizer Holdings
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    Packaging innovations: Energizer’s move away from plastic just keeps going and going and going

    Plus, Carton Service CSI’s cartons go cap-free and Berry Global expands its line of refillable sticks.

    By • Feb. 7, 2025
  • Customer holding and looking at pouch packaging
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    Getty Images
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    The packaging industry outlook for 2025

    The evolution of packaging EPR, potential for more industry-reshaping megadeals, shifting attitudes on plastics and sustainability goals, and Trump’s mark on trade and federal funding are dynamic areas to watch.

    By Packaging Dive Staff • Jan. 31, 2025
  • A person drinks from a fiber cup with a lid.
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    Courtesy of Luciano Romano/Seda International
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    Packaging innovations: Plastic replacement solutions from Seda, Nylabone

    Plus, Malk goes bold for its almond and oat milk aseptic carton redesign.

    By • Jan. 27, 2025
  • Cartons of Great Value broth on a store shelf.
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    Katie Pyzyk/Packaging Dive
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    Packaging materials didn’t cause Walmart broth recall, says TreeHouse Foods

    Tetra Pak makes the cartons for the recalled broth and said it is not aware of procedural issues on its end. This recall comes as food and cosmetics recalls more broadly are on the rise, according to FDA data.

    By • Updated Jan. 23, 2025
  • A pouch of All free clear detergent tablets with a NaviLens smart code on the front.
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    Courtesy of All
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    Packaging innovations: 2 brands boost accessibility

    Laundry detergent brand All and Carmine’s Italian foods introduced different solutions to assist users with accessibility challenges. Plus, DS Smith eases e-commerce returns and TriMas launches an all-plastic foaming pump.

    By • Jan. 17, 2025
  • A woman looks down at a grocery item next to a freezer case
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    Getty Images
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    What packaging designers should know about FDA’s proposed nutrition info box

    Industry sources predict required front-of-pack labeling could mean giving up key real estate in costly redesigns — or, more optimistically, an opportunity for some brands to modernize packaging and rethink consumer messaging.

    By • Jan. 15, 2025
  • Example of proposed FDA front-of-pack nutrition label
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    Courtesy of U.S. Food and Drug Administration
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    FDA formally proposes front-of-pack nutrition labels

    This could force food manufacturers to update their packaging in the coming years. The agency says the goal with a new nutrition info box is to combat chronic diseases.

    By • Jan. 14, 2025
  • O-I glass bottles on the hot end of a line.
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    Courtesy of O-I Glass
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    DOE cancels $57M award for O-I Glass furnace project

    The Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations canceled 24 funding awards, including multiple to packaging companies. O-I was pursuing more energy-efficient technology at a furnace in Ohio. 

    By • Updated June 2, 2025
  • Side-by-side comparisons of Daily Harvests old and new packaging for its frozen foods.
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    Permission granted by Daily Harvest
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    Packaging innovations: Daily Harvest revamps for retail, Töst cans it

    The companies explain the consumer-focused factors that prompted them to switch up their food and beverage packaging.

    By • Jan. 10, 2025
  • Two orange robot arms handle food packages on a conference floor.
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    Katie Pyzyk/Packaging Dive
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    Deep Dive

    E-commerce packaging shows why it’s hip to be square

    Squared-off designs often are better for densification, or waging the “war on air,” according to sources from Smurfit Westrock, Paccurate and others. Geometry grows more important as robots and SIOC proliferate.

    By • Jan. 9, 2025
  • person bends over and picks up a stack of packages from a porch step
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    Getty Images
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    Deep Dive

    2024 packaging trends by the numbers

    These are some of the stats illustrating key storylines this year in policy and regulation, M&A activity, manufacturing, pricing, recycling, sustainability goals and more.

    By , • Dec. 20, 2024
  • A screenshot of a YouTube video showing KFC's paper bucket lid that doubles as a record.
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    Screenshot: KFC/YouTube

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    Packaging innovations: KFC’s record-making lid, Greif’s mod containers

    Plus, Ahlstrom launches paper tape and American Packaging Corp. adds a fiber-based material solution for pouches.

    By • Dec. 20, 2024
  • O-I Glass quality inspection.
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    Courtesy of O-I Glass
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    Deep Dive

    The packaging workforce grew for a decade. Labor shortages and COVID-19 changed that.

    The top 12 publicly traded U.S. packaging manufacturers by revenue collectively have more employees than they did a decade ago. Mergers and acquisitions heavily influenced the numbers, but that’s not the only factor.

    By • Dec. 11, 2024
  • Two people in yellow safety vests stand in a Nefab warehouse with wooden crates
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    Courtesy of Nefab
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    Packaging companies invest in design, training centers during November

    UFP Packaging, TriMas, TransPak, Nefab and others announced openings and investments in innovation or training centers, touting benefits for design collaboration and upskilling.

    By • Nov. 27, 2024
  • Hundreds of people in a convention center
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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