Materials
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Permission granted by Sway
Sway scaling compostable seaweed-based polybags with fashion brands
Prana, Faherty and other brands will begin using the bags to package items like shirts and shorts. California-based material innovation startup Sway says the next applications it’s eyeing include mailers and multilayer packaging.
By Maria Rachal • Updated 8 hours ago -
Courtesy of PulPac
Q&APulPac leverages partnerships to advance its dry molded fiber technology
The company is experiencing growth as it touts its technology's carbon footprint benefits over the wet molding process. Identifying coatings free of PFAS is a sticking point, says Chief Commercial Officer Sanna Fager.
By Katie Pyzyk • Oct. 15, 2024 -
Courtesy of United Airlines
Packaging innovations: United Airlines’ canned wine, Chivas Regal’s light spirits
Plus, RXDco puts cannabis in a cocoon, Novolex flags product tampering and KYSU switches from plastic to paper.
By Katie Pyzyk • Oct. 11, 2024 -
Courtesy of NatureWorks
Deep DiveInside the debate over PLA, the packaging industry’s favorite bioplastic
Polylactic acid has been around for decades, but it only became popular as an option for compostable packaging more recently. While some environmental groups question its credentials, the packaging sector expects demand to grow.
By Mary Catherine O'Connor • Oct. 8, 2024 -
Permission granted by Cruz Foam
Sponsored by Cruz FoamWhy sustainable packaging materials matter in B2C shipping
The rapid rise in e-commerce, and the resulting increase in B2C shipping, has revolutionized how consumers receive products. However, this convenience has come at a significant environmental cost.
Oct. 7, 2024 -
Permission granted by Nestlé USA
Packaging innovations: Hot Pockets go sleeveless, Henkel’s coating lightens dry food packaging
Plus, hair care brand Overtone joins a Target sustainability initiative as it launches tubes with a new look and PCR.
By Katie Pyzyk • Oct. 4, 2024 -
Mary Catherine O'Connor/Packaging Dive
BPI Summit highlights ongoing compostable packaging debate ahead of USDA decision
World Centric, the California Compost Coalition, Athens Services, Dirt Hugger, A1 Organics, Moonshot Compost and others weighed in with their thoughts about this growing category of packaging.
By Mary Catherine O'Connor • Oct. 2, 2024 -
Maria Rachal/Packaging Dive
Packaging trade shows to watch in 2025
Mark your calendar: These U.S. conferences and events will cover timely trends in sustainable packaging design, recycling technologies, regional market trends, substrate evolutions, automation and more.
By Packaging Dive Staff • Oct. 1, 2024 -
Courtesy of Albertsons Companies
Packaging innovations: Bottle material changes from Albertsons and Johnnie Walker
Plus, Cambio Roasters and Glatfelter debut new coffee pod packaging, while Sleever partners with Carbios for a biodegradable shrink sleeve.
By Katie Pyzyk • Sept. 27, 2024 -
Genevieve Isabelle via Getty Images
Research spotlights how food-contact chemicals found in packaging show up in humans
Challenges with regulating food-contact chemicals and materials “are diverse and legislation often does not keep up with the latest scientific understanding,” researchers wrote in a widely covered scientific journal article.
By Maria Rachal • Sept. 26, 2024 -
Permission granted by Renw
New molded fiber company will use industrial hemp as main feedstock
Renw seeks to minimize reliance on forestry assets in packaging by expanding the growth of industrial hemp, which will be used as a feedstock at the company’s molded fiber production facilities.
By Katie Pyzyk • Sept. 25, 2024 -
Permission granted by Driscoll's
Thermoform reclamation rises along with rPET demand
As one speaker at the Packaging Recycling Summit called thermoforms an “untapped source” for reclaimed PET, Rumpke Waste & Recycling plans to begin accepting the containers in curbside recycling.
By Katie Pyzyk • Sept. 24, 2024 -
Courtesy of The Home Depot
Home Depot phases out EPS, PVC in fiber packaging overhaul
The process required ample testing and collaboration. “We sell light bulbs, we sell appliances, we sell toilets. These are products that are prone to damage if they are not secured with the right packaging,” said one sustainability leader.
By Maria Rachal • Sept. 20, 2024 -
Katie Pyzyk/Packaging Dive
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 Katie Pyzyk • Sept. 18, 2024 -
Courtesy of Diageo
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 Maria Rachal , Katie Pyzyk , Cole Rosengren • Sept. 17, 2024 -
Katie Pyzyk/Packaging Dive
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 Katie Pyzyk • Sept. 16, 2024 -
Courtesy of Amazon
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 -
Permission granted by Cruz Foam / Emilia Anderson
Sponsored by Cruz FoamHow to deliver high protective performance with sustainable block and brace packaging
As consumer demand for sustainability rises and regulations tighten, companies are abandoning plastic foams and switching to more sustainable alternatives.
Sept. 9, 2024 -
Permission granted by O-I Glass
Sponsored by O-I Glass4 reasons to let glass lead your next launch
Glass is the clear choice for connecting with consumers.
Sept. 9, 2024 -
Courtesy of McDonald's
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 Katie Pyzyk • Sept. 6, 2024 -
Courtesy of Pizza Hut
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 Katie Pyzyk • Aug. 30, 2024 -
Traimak_Ivan via Getty Images
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 Maria Rachal • Aug. 29, 2024 -
yulka3ice via Getty Images
Chang Robotics offers PFAS alternative for food-contact fiber packaging
“We're really trying to solve a major societal environmental problem,” said Timothy Wei, chief scientist for the startup that developed a graphene oxide-based barrier material.
By Katie Pyzyk • Aug. 26, 2024 -
Screenshot: Microsoft/YouTube
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 Katie Pyzyk • Aug. 23, 2024 -
Courtesy of Google
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 Katie Pyzyk • Aug. 21, 2024
