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 systems, 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 new innovations this week (6 per day), bringing our total to over 9,200 listed initiatives.

Recycling (4 innovations): Many companies continue to focus on improving recyclability by using recycled materials in their packaging or making their packaging recyclable. Innovations include products made from post-consumer recycled PET (RPET) materials, such as Nestlé 's new rPET packaging for its Kitkat brand in Brazil and THG 's partnerships with Royal Mail and MYGroup to enhance cosmetic packaging recycling. This trend demonstrates a commitment to reducing reliance on virgin plastics and pursuing challenging recycling targets.

Material Reduction (1 innovations): Companies are actively reducing their material use and implementing lightweighting strategies to minimise material consumption, lower carbon footprints, and improve sustainability. Innovations such as Avril 's lighter aloe vera gel bottle.

Refill and Reuse (7 innovations): The trend of refillable and reusable packaging continues to gain traction as seen in Ocado Retail 's reusable bottles for detergent and fabric conditioner and ReCube 's reusable containers for the take-away market. 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 Southwest Airlines ' bamboo cups and GAIA BioMaterials AB 's expansion to Chile, 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 work often to be done to get to market.

Paperisation (9 innovations): There is a notable trend towards using paper-based materials for packaging, as demonstrated by Valentin 's switch to paper packaging for its shower drains and Mondi Group 's introduction of paper packaging for the construction industry. These innovations aim to replace traditional plastic packaging with sustainable paper options while ensuring product integrity and freshness.

Enhancing User Experience- (1 innovation): Enhancing user experience is a non-sustainability trend worth noting. This week we saw Casa Astrid 's new three litre olive-oil tube.

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.