Category Archives: A&A News

Huhtamaki double wall cups

Huhtamaki has launched a new double wall paper insulated cups range.

Huhtamaki

Huhtamaki, the Sorello cups offer a smooth surface coupled with quality insulation.

A uniform air gap provides consistent insulation over the entire surface of the cup.

Huhtamaki said the ‘Café Life’ stock design has been created to help convey the superior print quality offered by the cups’ smooth exterior, and gives the cups a sophisticated appearance.

The new range is made with 100% PEFC certified paperboard and is fully compliant with the EU Timber Regulation No. 995/2010, and can be collected and recycled via the Simply Cups scheme.

Parkside new protective packaging solution

Parkside has helped to develop a protective packaging solution for the transport of high value, delicate items in a compact format.

Parkside

Parkside. Rockpocket, developed in conjunction with a technology partner, is a flexible laminated bag that contains polystyrene beads between its outer layers. A vacuum extraction pump is applied to the pack to evacuate the air between layers, which creates a solid pack that protects goods from damage during transit.

Developed over several months by the Advanced Packaging Expert (APEX) innovation team at Parkside, Rockpocket is available in multiple sizes and offers a lightweight and compact solution for the transportation of items.

Steve McCormick, new product development director at Parkside, said: “More people than ever before are shopping online and Rockpocket offers the ideal solution for online retailers who want to ensure their customers receive items in perfect condition.

“The design is totally versatile, creating a protective packaging around any shape of item and we can print bespoke high definition graphics and branding on pack to meet customer requirements.”

Many secondary and security packaging solutions that offer full product protection are a combination of several packaging materials such as boxes, void fill and bubble wrap. Rockpocket, however, is a ‘one pack fits all’ solution, requiring no additional packaging and eliminating the need to over-pack products in order to achieve a high level of protection. Packaging waste is reduced significantly as a result.

The outer film is manufactured from recyclable LDPE or PET and the pack itself is made from up to 90 per cent air, reducing transportation weight and the associated carbon footprint and costs.

As no assembly is required, the design speeds up the packing process and its flat edges enhance ease of packing and stacking.

Tamper proof sealing tabs and document windows can be incorporated into the pack design, as well as track and trace features such as an RFID tag or embedded image.

To enhance its environmental credentials further, Parkside is developing a valve less Rockpocket pack that will be made from 100% compostable materials, enabling the pack to compost at the end of its service life.

Paula Birch, Parkside’s head of sales commented: “Brands understand the importance of their packaging in the online retail world and the “moment of truth” is often disappointing today, which consumers are happy to share on social media. Goods are often over-packed in dull secondary packaging materials, wasting valuable communication opportunities and consumer engagement. The branding and packing efficiency opportunities that Rockpocket offer are significant and a number of online retailers are exploring it for their next generation packaging solution as a result.”

For more information about Rockpocket, visit: http://www.parksideflex.com/featured-product/rockpocket-a-revolution-in-protective-packaging-design/

Sonoco launches recyclable containers

Sonoco Consumer Products Europe has teamed up with Vegeplast to launch the Vegetop container with a special shaker top made of organic, compostable plastic.

Sonoco

Sonoco, the rigid paper, plastics and closures firm is using a specialist for injection-moulded and biodegradable plastic from Vegeplast, boosting its sustainability credentials.

The container is made of recycled paper with a robust paperboard base featuring a product-specific inner coating.

“We can now offer our customers a rigid paperboard container that sets new standards in environmental friendliness,” said Sébastien Fabre, sales manager at Sonoco. “The Vegetop® cap and our containers offer a perfect combination. The body of the container is recyclable and the plastic lid is 100% compostable.”

Rolf Regelmann, director of sales and marketing at Sonoco Consumer Products Europe, added: “Today’s consumers place increasing importance on environmentally-friendly packaging. The rigid paperboard containers with Vegetop meet these expectations without compromising on visual appeal. Our Vegetop containers stand out at the point of sale and are extremely convenient for consumers thanks to the practical shaker top.”

Coca Cola and Keep Britain Tidy find social factors

Coca Cola Enterprises (CCE) and Keep Britain Tidy research shows changing litter behaviour in under-25’s relating to social and personal influences.

Coca Cola. The joint initiative sought to develop a better understanding of why people litter soft drinks packaging, in order to inform intervention and prevention strategies.

It identified young adults between the ages of 16 and 25 as those most likely to litter soft drinks.

Personal influences meant under-25’s had differing definitions of littering itself – like putting cigarettes down the drain or leaving an item on a wall or on a bench were not seen as littering by many.

The design and type of object or packaging was found to play a crucial role in influencing littering behaviours – cans were seen as more acceptable to litter than were bottles.

Socially, respondents said they would refrain from littering on a first date, in front of parents or a younger sibling – but amongst friends they would have less hesitation.

Additionally, location matters – littering close to home was deemed unacceptable, compared to in a town centre, where the environment was perceived to be dirtier and respondents felt more anonymous.

Bev Burnham, senior manager, corporate responsibility and sustainability, Coca-Cola Enterprises GB, said: “The issue of litter is something in which we all have a role to play if we are to address the related social and environmental challenges. While we at CCE can leverage our experience and expertise to educate and inspire consumers to recycle more often, we don’t have all the answers. That’s why we have collaborated with Keep Britain Tidy on this report, and we work with other environmental groups, to help generate new insights to inspire and encourage a real step change in GB litter habits.”

Keep Britain Tidy’s chief executive Allison Ogden-Newton added: “Understanding why and when people litter is key to developing cost-effective solutions that will make the difference we all want to see, reducing littering across the country.

Sealed Air “unpoppable” Bubble Wrap

Sealed Air has launched “unpoppable” Bubble Wrap IB protective packaging, targeting the e-commerce and supply chain sector.

Sealed Air. It uses specially designed air channels that transfer shock away from products and provide superior cushioning protection.

Features include better damage reduction through cushioning protection; more cube optimization through superior protection in compact bubble heights, allowing customers to reduce material usage; and better fulfillment velocity, minimising the number of packaging layers needed.

Ken Chrisman, president, product care at Sealed Air, said companies need solutions that can help them expedite and better protect the shipment of their products.

“Now, with Bubble Wrap IB’s self-serve protective packaging, companies around the world can create their packaging on site according to their needs, helping them to reduce freight costs, simplify order fulfillment and optimize the efficiency of their shipping facilities,” Chrisman said.

Chrisman claimed by inflating at the point of use, Bubble Wrap IB can reduce the number of trucks required to supply a customer’s operation by nearly 97%. In fact, one truck-load of uninflated Bubble Wrap IB, requiring two man hours, is the equivalent of 36 truck-loads of standard bubble cushioning and 72 man hours.