Welcome to the PAC Global Leadership Awards Innovation Trends update brought to you in partnership with UK packaging innovation consultancy, ThePackHub. We have hand selected five packaging innovation highlights that we think are deserving of mention and will pique your interest. Look for more of these in the coming weeks!
Unwrapping a single-use plastic solution
Unilever is a founding member of The UK Plastics Pact that aims to eliminate unnecessary single-use plastic packaging by 2025. Read more about the company’s sustainable packaging commitment. The consumer goods giant is trialling new packaging format to help reduce the amount of single-use plastic used. Multipacks of Solero organic peach ice lollies will be sold wrapper-less in a recyclable cardboard box with compartments that negates the need for individual plastic wrappers. The new box is a PE-coated cardboard. It has a plastic content of around 5% meaning it can be widely recycled in the UK. A full roll-out is not a foregone conclusion with a small test in Ocado online stores to help establish shopper reactions to the activity and whether the pack format will be rolled out.
In-your-face messaging
Although the plastic on much of the wrapped bread sold in the UK is recyclable, few local authorities collect it as part of kerbside services. Consumers need to take the packaging to a recycling point to be recycled alongside carrier bags. Northwich, UK based Roberts Bakery is creating a stir with ‘in your face’ messaging to promote the introduction of paper packaging. Rolling out to 300 Tesco stores on its core 800g loaf range, the bags are made from sustainably sourced paper and a thin PP coating. This enables the loaves to carry OPRL’s ‘widely-recycled’ logo, the first UK bread brand to be awarded this. The roll-out of paper packaging on the 800g core range follows the launch of the packaging on Roberts’ bloomer as reported in the Innovation Zone – 100% recyclable bakery brand shouts claims on pack. Roberts is aiming to eventually switch to plastic-free packaging across all SKUs and in all stockists.
Cutting down on plastic
UK retailer Asda have been working to reduce the amount of plastic used for their packaging. The business aims to for all their own brand packaging to be 100% recyclable by 2025. This will be achieved by cutting what is seen as unnecessary plastic across the business. More information: Asda sustainable packaging commitment. The retailer is making a change to move towards their sustainability aspirations by switching their own-brand chicken into a pouch. The new pouch solution breaks convention as well as using over 55% less plastic packaging compared to the current tray format. There is also an estimated 73% reduction in transportation due to a smaller surface area of the new packs. The pack size change also ensures that more product fits on a shelves to improve availability. The pack also has easy tear, which means consumers don’t have to use a knife to open the pack.
Taking beer cans to a new level
The gaming industry is not short of innovation and this new limited-edition controller make have just taken things to another level as it doubles up as a beer can! Miller Lite have introduced the Cantroller, a video game controller that holds 12 ounces (354ml) of beer. It is well understood that gamers sometimes struggle to multitask as they play and this might just be the answer to their problems! The Cantroller is a fully functioning controller equipped with a host of useful functional features including a USB charging port, Bluetooth and haptic feedback. The controller has been created as part of a promotion to generate interest in the E3 gaming expo in Los Angeles. Before you rush out to try and get your own, only 200 Cantrollers will be up for grabs at the event. See also Corrugated board used to create interactive gaming kits.
Reinventing both package and product
The negative single-use plastic sentiment is seeing new categories popping up. An area for change is in the bathroom with a number of brands looking to switch out of plastic with new packaging alternatives in a sector that is starting to take off. Canadian bar shampoo company Unwrapped Life is one of these businesses. The brand has a philosophy that ‘shampoo really doesn’t need to be in a bottle’ and is cutting single-use plastic by offering a solid-form shampoo and conditioner combination. The business also uses paper to pack the products. The bars are small and lightweight. Rigid paper mailers or small cardboard boxes are used for online orders. The business has sourced recycled paper products to cut down on the impact of virgin paper manufacturing and distribution. See also Water soluble shampoo pods reduces plastic use and Single use shaving pods dissolve in water.
These innovations are a selection of over 3,300 uploaded to ThePackHub’s Innovation Zone database. If you like to know more about subscriptions, please let us know.
Packaging manufacturer 
The challenges of reducing packaging’s burden on the environment has never been more acute with many examples reaching the pages of the Innovation Zone. In this case we can introduce a packaging system using smart technology to make the reusable packaging process quick and straight-forward. Algramo has introduced a new model that encourages returnability already present in more than 2,000 stores in Santiago, Chile. We tracked this company previously last year. See 
There have been many smart water bottle hydration systems launched in recent times. 
Valsamoggia, Italy based Ilip has announced the introduction of a new packaging format to improve the longevity of avocado. The new system solves a major consumer pain point by helping to indicate whether the fruit is ripe and ready to eat. The new packaging is able to communicate information about the ripeness of the produce. It is called Smart Ripe and has been developed in collaboration with University of Rome Tor Vergata and the University of Turin’s Department of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences. The system uses an RFID tag to detect in a non-invasive way the dielectric variations in the fruit pulp to help determine its ripeness. The information related to the fruit’s turgidity, acidity, water and sugar content is transmitted to a smart phone app to help indicate if the fruit is ripe. The Smart Ripe technology can be applied beyond avocados to a range of different types of fruit or vegetables.
Coca-Cola have announced a new summer campaign for the US market that will see their bottles sporting detachable labels. Promotional packs will have a new label branded ‘Enjoy’ in the traditional Coca Cola logo typography. The 590ml PET bottles have a detachable label and can be used as a bracelet for consumers. The campaign gives shoppers the opportunity to win one of 150,000 prizes using their smart phones to scan a range of Coca-Cola flavours. Prizes vary from tickets for shows, movies, amusement parks and baseball games. Coca Cola undertook a similar activity a couple of summers ago in the Romanian market. See also 
Leading food processing and packaging company Tetra Pak has announced the introduction of a new pack format that has good supply chain space saving opportunities as well as the opportunities to reduce the amount of packaging required. The solution allows six products to be collated to form the shape of a cube. This improves the use of space in distribution and storage. The Tetra Classic Aseptic 65ml Cube can be used for dairy, juice and liquid food products. The pack uses around 40% less space compared to the company’s Classic Aseptic 65ml packs. Customers with existing Tetra Classic Aseptic filling machines can switch to this new pack format with a minimal investment and a quick payback. A Southeast Asia cooking ingredient brand has introduced the pack to help mitigate market logistic challenges.
A Seattle business is partnering with a Malaysian inventor on a new way to help keep fruit products fresher for longer. The new solution is a sticker that is placed on the produce that can help increase the freshness of fruit by up to two weeks. Stixfresh is a label which can be applied directly to fruit that generate ethylene as they ripen. The sticker’s coating is made up of a formula of beeswax and ionised sodium chloride. The compounds work to create a protective layer around the fruit. The innovation is set to have a positive impact on a variety of fruit that require long travels in the supply chain. The sticker was originally invented to target mangoes but can also apply to fruit such as apples, pears, kiwis, avocados and oranges. The sticker does not need to be removed as it is edible and can be eaten. Stixfresh have launched a crowdfunding campaign via Indiegogo.
Nestlé announced last year its ambition to make 100% of its packaging recyclable or re-usable by 2025. The brand owner has been busy making this a reality with the recent introduction of Nesquik All Natural in five European markets in a recyclable paper pouch. This is reported to be a first of its kind. The launch of the new Nesquik variant sees a departure from recyclable plastic to a switch to recyclable paper packaging. The new pouch is made using a coated paper that is recyclable in existing paper streams. The paper is sourced sustainably and is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). The recyclable paper pouches have been comprehensibly tested to ensure that they keep the contents in perfect condition throughout the supply chain.
A new way to help the environment through the use of reduced materials has been introduced by US cleaning brand Truman’s. Adding water at the point of use has been used by several brands in recent times to reduce the amount of packaging used as well as to decrease supply chain carbon emissions via packs not made heavier by transporting water. Consumers combine their own water with Truman’s patented refill cartridges and can re-use the bottle many times. The refills save space with the claim that around 10 years worth of refills can in theory be stored comfortably in the average kitchen drawer. The Truman’s refills reduce plastic waste by more than 90% as well as being recyclable. The refills are $3.75 (£2.83) and the bottles as well as shipping are free for subscribers.
Racine, Wisconsin based multinational manufacturer of household cleaning supplies SC Johnson like several global brands as well as make all its plastic packaging recyclable, reusable or compostable by 2025. It has announced the introduction of bottles made entirely from recycled ocean plastics for one of their top selling home cleaning products. The 100% recycled ocean plastic bottle will be used for the brand owner’s Windex Vinegar home cleaning products. This big volume switch will see eight million units make the change for the USA and Canada markets. SC Johnson is also planning to launch a ‘Social Plastic’ bottle in partnership with Plastic Bank. That bottle would be made only from plastic sourced from Haiti, the Philippines and Indonesia. The initiative forms part of SC Johnson’s commitment to triple post-consumer recycled plastics in its packaging. Windex bottles have already been made from 100% post-consumer plastic for several years.
Personalisation has been one of the main beneficiaries of the digital print for packaging revolution with several executions that exploit the technology to deliver unique and meaningful pack executions. Coca Cola got the ball rolling with their multinational Share A Coke campaign that showed what could be done with a well-managed campaign. Unilever have also been part of the party with personalised campaigns for Marmite as well as Vaseline. The multinational consumer goods company has again worked with UK leading personalised gifting and fulfilment company Intervino with an introduction of personalised Dove Body Cream for the Christmas gifting season. Shoppers can go online and choose a name to go on 75ml jars.
Parkside Flexibles has been on the compostable packaging development trail yet again with the introduction of a new offering for the Alara organic muesli brand. They have developed a sustainable liner for the brand’s muesli carton boxes. A high barrier paper laminate will replace Alara’s existing oil based PET/PE inner liner. The cellulose film is made using bio-based materials and is suitable for both home and industrial composting as well as being 100% recyclable. It can be composted at home as well as collected at kerbside as part of household food waste. Parkside’s compostable laminates have the same durability and impermeability just like conventional plastic packaging. It is available in several options including white, matte, clear, metallised and kraft. Alara is sold in the UK in Ocado, Wholefoods Markets and Sainsbury’s.
Technology and sustainability combine to great effect to deliver a reusable cup for the ubiquitous Costa coffee chain. The Clever Cup solution has come to market thanks to cup material recycling from Burneside, Cumbria paper business James Cropper. The reusable coffee cup is the first to offer contactless payment, which will speed up transaction times as well as further encourage the use of reusable cups. James Cropper’s CupCycling facility is the world’s first ever facility dedicated to transforming cups into luxury papers and sustainable packaging. Each cup is protected in cardboard that contains waste fibre from one takeaway coffee cup.
Sydney based Rawson Print Co has made possible a new personalised pack range for confectionery brand Cadbury. The introduction of digital print technology in recent years has given creative minds the opportunity to engage with shoppers and consumers. Many of the executions tend to focus on the printing of a name on a pack to deliver a personalised experience. The initiative from Rawson will be available in Kmart retail outlets in 200 Kmart stores around Australia. Shoppers will be able to have their names (or those of loved ones) printed on 550g gift packs of Cadbury’s Dairy Milk. Customers can purchase the blank gift boxes in Kmart and use Rawson supplied Afinia desktop digital label printers. Store staff print the labels with names of up to nine characters. Kmart anticipates ‘hundreds of thousands’ of sales from the Christmas-based promotion.
The UK Plastics Pact was launched earlier this year as a collaborative initiative to create a circular economy for plastics. 42 major brands, retailers and suppliers have made a pledge to have 100% of their plastic packaging as reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025. Also making waves is a petition signed by more than 150,000 people calling for PepsiCo’s Walkers and other crisp manufacturers to make their packets more “environmentally-friendly”. In other words, consumers are no longer prepared to wait until 2025 for a solution. In response to this activity, the Walkers brand has announced the UK’s first nationwide recycling scheme for crisp packets. Rather than throwing away in domestic waste, consumers will be able to post their used bags for free to be recycled. The bags will be sent to TerraCycle, which takes non-recyclable pre-and post-consumer waste and turns it into raw materials to make new products and the packs will be cleaned, shredded and turned into small pellets which will be converted into plastic items such as benches, watering cans and plant pots. Any brand of crisp packets will be accepted. Consumers will also be encouraged to drop off their packets at public access collection points throughout the UK.
There has been increased efforts from brands to put the vast amounts of ocean waste to good use. It is reported that around eight million tons of plastic waste enters our oceans every year and this is likely to double by 2025. We have reported on initiatives from Ecover, Procter & Gamble, Unilever and Dell computers in recent times. Kevin Murphy, the Australian hair care brand has reported that the 360 tons of plastic is uses each year for its packaging will come directly out of the ocean. This is the first example, to our knowledge, of a 100% ocean plastic waste initiative. Pack Tech, a Denmark-based packaging manufacturer cleans and shreds the waste material to the point that it can be reconstituted as a usable material. The complex and lengthy process to collect the waste results in a cost that is reported to be around five times more expensive than virgin plastic. The brand will be increasing retail prices to pass on the additional costs.
There are many ways to reduce the amount of packaging used. A Los Angeles, California based toothpaste brand has turned things very much on their head by inventing a new pack format for the category with a solution that significantly reduces the amount of packaging used. A completely new plastic free way of providing toothpaste has been created by Bite Toothpaste Bits, which is positioned as an easier and mess-free alternative to traditional oral care pastes. The hand-pressed toothpaste portions are made using organic plant-based ingredients that are apparently up to the job of cleaning and protecting teeth. The solution claims to be 100% biodegradable. Consumers simply need to pop a single ‘Bite Bit’ in their mouth and bite. They need to wet their toothbrush and start brushing as normal. The bit will foam up just like conventional toothpaste formats. The packaging-free Bite Bits come in a medicinal-like glass jar.
Single-use plastic packaging has taken a media of hammering of late but consumers’ demand for packaging water on-the-go shows no signs of declining. UK consumption of water drinks rose 7% in 2017 to nearly 4,000 million litres. There have been other packaging material alternatives to PET plastic bottles coming to market. You may have seen 
Edible packaging has been on the edges of the sustainable packaging spectrum for some time now. It has garnered increased interest of late with several introductions coming to our attention. Ooho was first on our radar in 2015 and got increased traction when it was awarded one of 11 sustainable initiatives given development funding as part of The New Plastics Economy programme led by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. The initiative has made further progress with a Lucozade Sport trial that will see edible drinks sachets being used to reduce single-use plastic at sports events. Lucozade Ribena Suntory is undergoing the trial of the seaweed based ‘blobs’ at two running events to gauge the consumer feedback for plastic-free edible alternatives to single-use bottles and pouches. The Skipping Rocks Lab Ooho sachets can be eaten, composted or thrown away in normal household bins. Once discarded, they take up to six weeks to decompose. Lucozade Ribena Suntory has a 2025 target of making 100% of its packaging reusable, recyclable or compostable as part of its participation in the UK Plastic Pact.
Personalisation has been one of the main beneficiaries of the digital print for packaging revolution with several executions that exploit the technology to deliver unique and meaningful pack executions. Coca Cola got the ball rolling with their multinational Share A Coke campaign that showed what could be done with a well-managed campaign. Unilever have also been part of the party with personalised campaigns for Marmite as well as Vaseline. The multinational consumer goods company has again worked with UK leading personalised gifting and fulfilment company Intervino with an introduction of a bath time gift set personalised with a baby’s name for their Baby Dove brand. Shoppers can go online and choose a name to go on 400ml bottles of lotion that also includes a gift box and gift card.
Packaging solutions that genuinely solve a problem and make life easier for consumers will always be well received. This solution from Italy based Smilesys does just that with a new pack that helps to separate mozzarella from the product’s preserving liquid. Usually it can be a tricky task to get the contents out without spilling fluid everywhere. Smilesys’ new ‘Drop ‘n’ Taste’ pack replaces the plastic lid and replaces it with a special laminated PET and PP top film that guarantees easy opening and pouring of the product’s liquid. The pack also has resealing capability to help keep the residual product fresh and hygienic without the need for plastic over-wrapping or decanting to another container. The top film has been specially punched and labelled to create a practical dripping system that allows the user to eliminate excess liquid without splashes or spills. It then allows easy access to the product. The Drop ‘n’ Taste pack also sees a reduction in the amount of plastic used with a reduction in the final volume of the pack.
It’s fair to say that the vast majority of packaging does not take into account whether the user is right or left handed. If anything, a right-handed disposition is the norm with pack openings positioned for easy right handed application. Mondelez’s Oreo brand aims to change that and also get some PR mileage in the process with an initiative that embraces #LeftHandersDay. Their Handed Cookie Pack aims to delight the 10% of the population that struggle through life in a right-handed world. Creative marketing agency 360i helped to bring to market the specially-designed pack that opens from right to left, rather than left to right the convention of regular packs. Beyond #LeftHandersDay, consumers can visit
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