Packaging Unwrapped: The Week’s Key Innovations

Another busy week in packaging.

ThePackHub has reviewed the latest initiatives added to our Innovation Zone platform this week, reflecting the key trends driving packaging innovation.

From breakthroughs in recycling, new refill and reuse initiatives, lightweighting and bio-material developments to improvements in user experience and the continued shift towards paperisation, these innovations are typical of the trends in the packaging market right now.

Let’s dive into the top innovations and explore some of the standout initiatives uploaded this week.

We’ve added 30 innovations this week (6 per day), bringing our total to nearly 9,300 listed initiatives.

Recycling (7 innovations): Many companies continue to focus on improving recyclability by using recycled materials in their packaging or making their packaging recyclable. Innovations this week include products made from post-consumer recycled materials, such as Dunlop Sports ' use of recycled plastic for its tennis ball tubes and ProPak Industries Inc. 's transition to 100% recycled stretch wrap. This trend demonstrates a commitment to reducing reliance on virgin plastics and pursuing challenging recycling targets.

Material Reduction (2 innovations): Companies are actively reducing their material use and implementing lightweighting strategies to minimise material consumption, lower carbon footprints, and improve sustainability. Innovations include AeroFlexx 's new innovative liquid packaging and Sealed Air Corporation 's partnership with Bradburys Cheese for a new wrapping system that reduces plastic use in cheese packaging.

Refill and Reuse (4 innovations): The trend of refillable and reusable packaging continues to gain traction, as seen in Borro 's digital solution that simplifies reusable cup refunds and Chicago Bears ' partnership with ASM Global , Keurig Dr Pepper Inc. , and Bold Reuse for a new reusable cup programme. These innovations emphasize convenience while promoting sustainability by reducing single-use packaging and encouraging consumers to refill existing containers.

Bio-Materials (8 innovations): The development of sustainable packaging from natural materials continues to be significant. Innovations such as partnership with Elliott Absorbent Products ' compostable fruit pads highlight the packaging industry's efforts to develop biodegradable and compostable alternatives that aim to minimize environmental impact. Many of the initiatives we track are pre-commercialised with plenty of hurdles to jump to get to market. Also researchers from the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology have developed a biodegradable foam that offers a sustainable alternative to traditional plastic foams.

Paperisation (4 innovations): There continues to be a notable trend towards using paper-based materials for packaging, as demonstrated by Billerud 's new surface-treated paper for medical packaging and Bel 's Kiri switching to paper-based wrapping. These innovations aim to replace traditional plastic packaging with sustainable paper options while ensuring product integrity and freshness.

Enhancing User Experience- (5 innovations): Enhancing user experience is a non-sustainability trend that is worthy of tracking. This week we saw Modulpac AB 's lightweight snap-on cap for liquid cartons and Red Bull 's resealable energy drink.

The focus on recycling, refillable and reusable systems, bio-materials, paper-based alternatives, material reduction and enhancing user experience demonstrates the diverse approaches being adopted to achieve sustainability goals in packaging. All in one week!

Until next time. Happy innovating.