Technology & Innovation: Page 7


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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
  • Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ultra 70cl Scotch whisky glass bottle
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    Courtesy of Diageo
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    Packaging innovations: Johnnie Walker’s lightest bottle design, Seda’s double-walled compostable cold cups

    Plus, Sonoco scales its paper-based cans, Braskem touts packaging material made from used cooking oil and Sealed Air details its work with Best Buy on protective packaging.

    By , , Sept. 17, 2024
  • A line of Via Carota sparkling cocktails in various colors
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    Permission granted by Via Carota Craft Cocktails
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    Ready-to-drink cocktail brands seek ‘bar cart worthy’ premium glass packaging

    “Ready-to-drink” products, many of which come in cans, account for an estimated 12% of the U.S. beverage alcohol market by volume. As glass bottle makers look to diversify, they’re pitching their packaging as premium.

    By Hollie Stephens • Sept. 16, 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
  • Hands hold an Aerflo reusable carbon capsule
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    Permission granted by Aerflo
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    Sparkling water craze meets reuse with Aerflo’s launch

    Investor Closed Loop Partners hailed the convenience of the startup’s refillable bottle system. Aerflo estimates its reusable capsules, which carbonate water on the go, could each displace more than 330 beverage cans.

    By Sept. 12, 2024
  • Box with paper internal packaging covering products
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    Courtesy of Amazon
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    As Amazon and others nix air pillows, packaging manufacturers diversify to cushion the blow

    Packaging companies are having to adapt to keep up as e-commerce expands and protective packaging trends shift. Retailers are trying new void fill materials, rightsizing packages and more.

    By Shefali Kapadia • Sept. 10, 2024
  • Two sizes of McDonald's McFlurry ice cream treat in cups with four flaps at the top.
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    Courtesy of McDonald's
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    Packaging innovations: McDonald’s four-flap McFlurry, Capri-Sun bottle debate

    Plus, New England Coffee ditches its plastic pod base for commercially compostable materials.

    By Sept. 6, 2024
  • Two people eat pizza out of a Pizza Hut box which has a base that can be folded into a miniature table.
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    Courtesy of Pizza Hut
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    Packaging innovations: Pizza Hut’s box makes a move, Vital Proteins chooses paper over plastic

    Plus, Restaurantware adds a compostable food service products line and Pactiv Evergreen introduces an alternative to polystyrene foam trays.

    By Aug. 30, 2024
  • bunches of yellow bananas on shelves for sale
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    Getty Images
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    Multimaterial plastic packaging, some produce stickers land on ‘problematic’ materials list for elimination

    Additions to the U.S. Plastics Pact’s list are targeted for elimination by 2030, building on 2025 goals. The group continues to evaluate non-compostable beverage pods, small-format packaging and other items.

    By Aug. 29, 2024
  • Microsoft's new green and white box for its Xbox accessible controller.
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    Screenshot: Microsoft/YouTube

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    Packaging innovations: Xbox gets accessible, DS Smith boxes up fun

    Plus, De Nada tequila ditches glass for metal and Alpla works with Zerooo on reusables for cosmetics.

    By Aug. 23, 2024
  • An assortment of packaging for Google's electronic devices.
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    Courtesy of Google
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    Google achieves plastic-free packaging ahead of 2025 with help of new paper

    Google says it was important to work with partners such as Veritiv to design the new paper material and other packaging to give consumers visual cues that encourage recycling.

    By Aug. 21, 2024
  • A close-up view of Twinings Thé Latté powdered beverage in a fiber-based, cylindrical container.
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    Courtesy of Sonoco
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    Packaging innovations: Twinings gets canned, Black Cow’s udderly different vodka packaging

    Plus, e.l.f. Cosmetics makes changes to boost product accessibility and Sensei Farms ditches its plastic clamshells.

    By Aug. 12, 2024
  • Three sizes of white fiber-based Starbucks cups with the company's green logo printed on them.
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    Permission granted by Starbucks
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    Starbucks, Huhtamaki partner on compostable cold cup lids

    The double-walled paperboard cups have a bioplastic liner, and the lids are made from molded fiber. Two states with local mandates are targets of the initial rollout.

    By Updated Aug. 9, 2024
  • Q&A

    Aesthetics vs. environment: How Estée Lauder balances luxury and sustainability

    Efforts include sourcing postconsumer resin and leveraging chemical recycling. Making sustainability leaps more apparent to consumers is also a concern at the cosmetics and skincare giant.

    By July 29, 2024
  • A child plays with a Barbie doll.
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    Retrieved from Mattel on July 25, 2024
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    Packaging innovations: Barbie’s on-box braille, Berry gives Blue Bunny pints a twist

    Plus, Meadow gets flowery with its refillable system and Gaia Biomaterials enables compostable straws — without the aftertaste.

    By July 26, 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
  • Five multicolored cans of Clearly Canadian sparkling water
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    Courtesy of Clearly Canadian
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    Packaging innovations: Clearly Canadian’s metal multipack makeover, Oman Air’s plastic purge

    Plus, Amcor Capsules and Moët & Chandon get foiled, Georgia-Pacific wraps its toilet paper in paper and Contempo Specialty Packaging introduces compostable and reusable cannabis packaging.

    By July 12, 2024
  • An open box containing salmon; wording on box says 'TASTE THE DIFFERENCE' 'www.NorthCoastSeafoods.com'
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    Permission granted by North Coast Seafoods
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    Packaging innovations: Sustainable seafood boxes, EPR-driven water-soluble cement bags

    Disruptive Packaging and Mondi collaborated with North Coast Seafoods and Cemex, respectively. Plus, Aldi U.K. announced its latest plastic-to-paper substitution.

    By June 26, 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
  • Three different colors of Google Pixel 6 smartphones standing up with the 'G' Google logo on the back: one phone is black, one silver, one rose gold.
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    Courtesy of Google
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    Google details fiber swaps in consumer electronics packaging

    Its anticipated plastic-free packaging design guide details implementation of molded fiber trays and hang tabs, paper tapes and other alternatives. Apple and Amazon have also pursued plastic reduction in device packaging.

    By June 12, 2024
  • A stack of white styrofoam cups on a brown wooden table.
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    Getty Images
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    US Plastics Pact releases new road map with 2030 plastics targets

    The new goals look very similar to those in the original road map, with a couple additions and a deadline extended from 2025 to 2030. Participants made progress on the 2025 goals but were unlikely to all meet the original targets.

    By June 11, 2024
  • A bottle of plant-based Hellmann's mayo in a squeeze bottle next to an open-faced sandwich with vegetables on bread.
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    Courtesy of Unilever
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    Packaging innovations: Hellmann’s debuts ingestible interior, Tesco tattoos produce

    Plus, Coast Cannabis turns to the ocean for chocolate bar packaging, and ProAmpac cools down grocery deliveries with recyclable bags.

    By June 7, 2024
  • A customer walking down an aisle at Walmart with TVs on shelves.
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    Have an idea to reduce retail packaging? Walmart wants to hear it.

    The retail giant listed seven specific areas for innovators to prioritize, including snack bags and frozen food trays, that have proven tricky for design and sustainability improvements.

    By June 3, 2024