Image: Aeropowder
Natural insulation from feathers
18.07.2024
With their microscopically small hollow fibre structure, feathers are among the lightest natural fibres ever and provide excellent heat insulation. A British start-up utilises these properties and turns feathers, a waste product from the poultry industry, into an insulating packaging material for the cold transport.
Image: iStock
Why ‘right-sizing’ your parcel packaging is good for the planet, and the bottom line
26.03.2024
Consumers are all but addicted to home delivery of all types of products, driving the number of parcels shipped globally from 161 billion in 2022 to an estimated 225 billion by 2028.
Image: Pro Carton
Urgent need for young talent
17.01.2024
There is an urgent need for young, skilled workers everywhere, and the packaging industry is no exception. Next-generation workers often pursue unconventional approaches with bold new ideas, regardless of whether they have studied packaging technology or design at European universities or completed an industry apprenticeship.
Image: dvi
“Impressed by the power of innovation”
14.12.2023
The German Packaging Institute brings all the different players in the packaging industry together – whether for an expert or political discussion or to celebrate innovations, for example at the German Packaging Award. Kim Cheng, a lawyer and since 2016 managing director of the dvi, combines legal competence with commitment to the needs of the packaging industry and its players.
Image:Unsplash
Egypt’s Innovative Solutions: Turning Plastic Waste into Recycling Opportunities
16.11.2023
The packaging industry is heavily reliant on plastics. However, as the focus shifts to more sustainable packaging options, global industry stakeholders and policymakers are searching for ways to investigate how plastic packaging waste can be used to explore sustainable industry practices and market opportunities, some of which might be real gamechangers.
Image: Dow
How labels are becoming more recyclable
12.09.2023
A world without labels? Inconceivable. Their endless variety of materials, shapes and functions help labels attract attention. But it should also be possible to separate them from their packaging again at the end of the packaging’s life in the interests of a circular economy. Recyclable solutions are on the way.
Image: BASF
What are the environmental impacts of alternative raw materials?
12.09.2023
In mass balancing, chemically recycled or bio-based raw materials are input at the very beginning of plastics production and then computationally assigned to the end products. Using the example of flexible mozzarella packaging, a study investigated whether and how this procedure influences the life-cycle assessment of packaging produced from these raw materials.
Image: Futamura
Sustainable tamper-proofing
11.08.2023
When it comes to protecting valuable products from tampering and theft, the method often used is to apply adhesive tape that will leave permanent marks on the packaging if an attempt is made to open it. In addition to recyclable paper solutions, there are now compostable alternatives made from bio-based film.
Image: Gary Chan/unsplash
Labels with separation information on packaging help the circular economy
13.06.2023
Efficient and consistent recycling is one of the pillars of a functioning circular economy in the packaging industry. Such recycling includes the correct separation of packaging so that it can be fed into its respective recycling stream. A survey has now shown that information about separation can play a decisive role for consumers.
Bild: jeshoots/unsplash
Better recycled material as a result of fewer fragrances
16.05.2023
Not all recycled materials are the same. That is because the quality of recycled plastics plays an important role en route to a circular economy. The Fraunhofer Institute LBF has consequently developed a method that removes problematic fragrances from packaging for detergents that is being recycled.
Since 1970, the WorldStar Awards have been conferred every year. (Image: WPO
Industry innovations in the spotlight
18.04.2023
Since 1970, the World Packaging Organization has annually awarded the WorldStar Awards. With this prize, WPO honours the achievements of the companies and developers in the industry. In 2023, this highly sought-after prize will be awarded during interpack.
When emptying the Ecobulk SX-D, the discharge pipe reaches down to the bottom and achieves near complete emptying. (Image: Schütz)
Safe protection under difficult conditions
12.12.2022
The safe transport of hazardous goods or chemicals depends on reliable containers. But sustainability should not be overlooked. The German company Schütz produces different IBC containers which are manufactured using recycled material.
The ZP3C series vacuum pad (shown here in the version for flat work pieces) does not require tools for maintenance thanks to its two-part construction. (Image: SMC Deutschland GmbH)
New vacuum pad makes maintenance possible without tools
12.12.2022
Transport of hazardous materials poses different challenges to labels. They have to adhere to different materials and be resistant to chemicals or environmental effects. Storage and disposal of large amounts of labels can become a problem.
The PowerCast XL is a high performance system for the manufacture of stretch films (Image: SML)
PCR in film production
17.11.2022
Mechanical engineering company SML and plastics producer Braskem have entered a cooperation and are now using recycled raw materials to produce film for a joint project. The use of PCR (post-consumer recyclates) is supposed to save resources and reduce waste.
The number of online orders and delivered packages is growing every year, all over the world. (Image: Claudio Schwarz / Unsplash)
Packaging in the times of e-commerce
17.11.2022
Today, even your grocery shopping is delivered by mail. The changes to the way we live our everyday lives, brought about by the lasting e-commerce trend, also mean that packaging is not what it used to be. Even something as seemingly simple as a shipping box comes with a lot of things that need to be taken into consideration and improved.
The use of recyclates begins with the correct separation of waste. (Image: Sigmund/unsplash)
Use of recyclates in packaging
24.10.2022
If there is one thing the industry agrees on, it is that more recycled raw materials must be used. In the case of plastics, this means recyclates. They are in greater demand than ever, but the supply is still relatively small. What do packaging manufacturers have to pay attention to when using them, and what has to change so that more recyclates can be used?
Many companies are switching their packaging to mono-materials like polypropylene. But what are their advantages and disadvantages? (Picture: Shutterstock/ CalypsoArt)
Mono-material, a ray of hope
17.08.2022
The industry is in pursuit of the circular economy. That is why, in the packaging industry, companies are increasingly switching to mono-materials. But what exactly does that term mean, and why are these packaging materials becoming ever more popular?
Image: Froneri Finland Oy
Ice cream packaged in mono-material
21.07.2022
Companies continue to ask themselves how they can meet customers' demands for sustainable packaging. Together, Borealis, Froneri and Paccor have found an answer, and are packaging ice cream from the brand Aino in mono-material.
Image: AdobeStock
Less material needed to produce sealing films
21.07.2022
Films are an important part of packaging: They provide an impenetrable barrier between the product and the environment. That said, industrial handling of such sealing films is not always simple. A cooperation between Plasthill and Constantia Flexibles has now led to the development of a PE film which uses less material, thus leading to reduced CO2 emissions, yet has greater seal strength.
Image: "Mülltrennung wirkt" (waste separation works) initiative / Steffen Jagenburg
Public obligations for recycling: Germany – a good role model?
14.07.2022
In 2019, the Central Agency Packaging Register started its work. Since then, companies that place packaging in circulation must register with it. An amendment to the German Packaging Act led to this requirement being extended to all online retailers and providers of take-away packaging on July 1st, 2022. Is this still reasonable or is this over-regulation?
Photo: Wiederstein Verpackungen
Hemp, a trending material?
24.06.2022
When cannabis is mentioned, its intoxicating effects are the first thing that springs to mind for most people. However, the European hemp varieties that are cultivated today contain very little that is intoxicating, and instead have a high amount of fibres that are ideally suited for making them into paper labels, cold storage packaging or even one-way pallets.
Image: Mika Baumeister/Unsplash
What are the consequences of the strain on supply chains?
23.06.2022
The pandemic, war, scarcity of resources, the energy crisis – there are many reasons why supply chains, including the packaging industry, are under pressure the world over. As an end to this situation is not currently in sight, companies are called to examine their logistics procedures.
Photo: Mondi
Mondi wraps pallets in paper, not plastic
03.03.2022
03.03.2022 - With Advantage StretchWrap, Mondi has added a new paper to its assortment that has been specifically designed to wrap pallets. The paper is elastic, puncture-resistant and provides robust protection for goods during transport.
Image: OutNature
Packaging made out of cup plant fibres – an eco-friendly alternative?
15.02.2022
15.02.2022 - Every child knows that paper is made out of wood. A truth that could soon crumble: German company OutNature uses the cup plant to make some of their paper products – including packaging. A Fraunhofer study has scrutinised the ecological balance of this new commodity.
Credit: Scott Graham/Unsplash
Trends in packaging: All this and more in 2022
05.01.2022
Nobody can really say what the new year holds in store for packaging. However, some speculations can be made, based on the current state of affairs. We dare to take a look into the crystal ball...
Photo: Mondi
HolyGrail 2.0 and the digital recycling passport
23.11.2021
High-quality recycling is the be all and end all for a working circular economy. The HolyGrail 2.0 initiative is now testing how invisible digital watermark codes can contribute to increasing efficiency when sorting packaging waste; the project is supported by more than 120 companies and organisations along the entire packaging industry value chain.
New products made from packaging. Photo: LIDL
New products made from packaging
15.03.2021
Packaging is valuable and should be reused and repurposed as often as possible in line with the ethos of a sustainable circular economy. Thanks to improved recycling technology, more and more new products can be created from packaging, as demonstrated by the discount retailer LIDL.
Photo: Metsä Board
Hygienic disposal of masks
27.01.2021
People are wearing masks around the globe. This means we’re also seeing more and more of them littering the streets and the environment all around the world. The packaging specialist Metsä Board has now ensured that there is a hygienic solution for disposing of used masks.
Foto: Deutsche Post AG
Multi-use Gift Packaging
07.10.2020
It’s far too pretty to throw away! Who hasn’t thought this when they’ve been presented with beautiful, high-quality gift packaging? Even your Grandma has probably given up on ironing wrapping paper by now, but many others have a new take on handling the concept of gift packaging with special care in this modern era too.
Foto: Deutsche Post AG
What is conveyor technology 4.0?
09.07.2020
Order a book or a coffee machine today and have it delivered tomorrow – no problem for e-commerce. However, keeping up this fast pace requires automated intralogistics systems and modern conveyor technology 4.0.
© ALDI SÜD
Alternatives to plastic bags and single-use plastic packaging
03.01.2020
The European Union has resolved a multi-stage ban of single-use plastics from 2021 onwards. In Germany, the Federal Government finalised a ban on plastic bags in November 2019. And in Britain, customers are calling for carrier alternatives for their supermarket shopping.