Five Packaging Trends That Will Shape 2015

Here is my list of 5 packaging trends to watch closely in 2013:

 1. Sustainability
 2. Functionality
 3. Interactivity
 4. Flexibility
 5. Storytelling

Best wishes for a healthy, wealthy, sustainable and innovative New Year 2015!

Five Packaging Trends That Will Shape 2015 from Islem Yezza

One-Third of Food Is Lost or Wasted: What Can Be Done

At 2.8 trillion pounds, that's enough sustenance to feed three billion people. In the United States, the waste is even more egregious: More than 30 percent of our food, valued at $162 billion annually, isn't eaten. Pile all that food on a football field and the layers would form a putrefying casserole miles high.

Read more

Vacuum skin packaging: Reduce Food Waste and Enhance Shelf Life

Vacuum skin packaging seals meat portions between base film and a heat-softened top film, which is vacuum drawn onto the meat surface to give a skin tight pack. Vacuum skin packaging Advantages:

• Attractive presentation and maximum shelf life
• Enables vertical and hanging presentation
• The perfectly contoured upper film displays high-quality products to their best advantage 
• Use of films with barrier properties extends the product shelf life and minimizes leakage
• Easy opening options
• Wide choice of packaging materials including glossy and metallized surfaces
• Secures products in place

Linpac aids inshift from MAP to vacuum skin packaging

Europe’s leading multi-material packaging manufacturer, LINPAC Packaging, has worked in partnership with machine manufacturer Mondini and film manufacturer Bemis to create a pack which combines the extended shelf life benefits of vacuum skin film technologies with the presentation and protection benefits of rigid preformed trays for Booths Fresh.

After admiring VSP solutions on offer at other retailers, Booths decided to move from modified atmosphere packaging for some of their meat products and asked LINPAC to develop a solution for them.

LINPAC Packaging’s continual innovation programme has enabled the company to develop a competitive alternative to the standard sheet skin packs traditionally used in vacuum skin packing.  To suit the various cuts of meat currently on sale LINPAC had developed three application styles for use with rPET, PP and EPS trays. 

1. Normal vacuum skin pack (below the flange protrusion)
2. Protruding vacuum skin pack (slightly above the flange protrusion)
3. Super-protruding vacuum skin pack (High protrusion above the flange)

Chris Elliott Technical Sales Manager at LINPAC Packaging, said: “Our innovative vacuum skin pack rigid solutions provide enhanced consumer appeal, shelf space efficiency and maximum protection to products during transit and in store. The preformed tray gives a higher quality look and feel to packs and this, combined with the extended shelf life provided by these packs, means our customers are getting the very best from their packaging.

Within the first three months, sales of meat had increased by 80% on some premium products and food waste was down significantly due to the extended shelf life qualities offered by VSP.

MapleLeaf Farms Introduces Innovative Vacuum Skin Packaging

Maple Leaf Farms, North America’s leading producer of quality duck products for retail and foodservice markets announced today that it is transitioning to vacuum skin packaging for all retail raw duck breast and duck leg products. The new packaging, the culmination of a three-year research and development effort, offers a myriad of benefits to consumers and retailers.

Research conducted by Brand Amplitude shows strong consumer acceptance for the new packaging. Seventy five percent of consumers preferred the visibility of the new vacuum skin pack in a side-by-side comparison with the existing carton. These results were consistent across age group, gender, duck purchase frequency and Maple Leaf Farm customer versus non-customer. The vacuum skin packaging outperformed the carton on all positive descriptors - taste, health, premium product, gourmet product.

Escalating consumer interest in preparing duck at home led to the packaging transition. “The new packaging provides a means for consumers to examine the entire product, which is an important factor when purchasing raw food, particularly high-end proteins,” explained Cindy Turk, Director of Duck Marketing for Maple Leaf Farms.

The new packaging technology, which has been on the market for several years, offers numerous benefits including:

• A clear view of the entire product so consumers can inspect quality and size
• “Easy peel” corner for convenient package opening
• Cooking instructions under the flip up label
• Reduced packaging materials by 17%

For retailers, the new packaging creates a more appealing presence on the shelf and offers multiple display options. The products can be displayed upright in customized trays or on a pegboard for multiple display possibilities. The new vacuum skin pack duck products can offer retailers a point of differentiation and excitement for their customers.

Foodservice packaging: The End of a Persistent Environmental Myth

The most persistent environmental myth about foodservice packaging concerns their role in the solid waste stream, and particularly that which ends up in landfills. Year after year, data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency shows that paper and plastic foodservice packaging products make up a tiny portion – under two percent! – of the municipal solid waste discards in landfills in the United States. Compare that to other items that end up in landfills:

Source: FPI

Source: U.S. EnvironmentalProtection Agency. Municipal Solid Waste in the United States: 2011 Facts andFigures

My comments:

• Food waste is the environmental sleeping giant
• In the near future the role of packaging will change; we will see packaging as a resource rather than a resource waster.
• Packaging is part of the solution, not the problem: preventing food waste and saving resources and assuring the safety and security of the food supply
• A bright future for Smart Packaging (active and intelligent): Increasing health and environmental awareness, rising food prices and food safety concerns and improved purchasing power will drive growth in the smart packaging market.

Bright future for Reusable Plastic Containers (RPC)?

Study Indicates Fresh Produce Damage Reductionwith Reusables

According to a study initiated by the Stiftung Initiative Mehrweg (SIM) -a German foundation for reusable systems- carried out by Fraunhofer Institute and the University of Bonn, throughout the whole supply chain for fresh fruit and vegetables from the producer to the retail, around 4 percent of all disposable packaging was damaged, while this figure was just 0.1 percent for reusable packaging.

In the course of the study, more than 78,000 packaging units for transport were inspected at central warehouses and retailers, including 52 percent reusable and 48 percent single trip.

The study determined that if only reusable containers were used in the German market, only 1,100 tonnes of fruit and vegetables valued at two million Euro would have been lost. It was estimated that if only single trip packaging had been used, the lost product would translate to 36,000 tonnes valued at 68 million Euro.

Extrapolating from these figures to the Spanish global exports of fresh fruits and vegetables, more than 1,800 million euros could be saved when using just reusable crates and containers.

The European Commission estimates that approximately 89 million tonnes of food are wasted every year in Europe, with Germany on top of the ranking, with 10.7 million tonnes of wastage and Spain in sixth place, with 7.7 million. Although most of the wastage happens at the end of the food supply chain (retailers and consumers), there are also losses in the production and distribution chain, which is the one under scrutiny in this report.

William Reynolds cuts packaging waste with returnable crate scheme

The UK's leading fresh fruit and vegetable supplier to the restaurant and catering industry has implemented a reusable transit packaging (RTP) crate scheme with Schoeller Allibert, to reduce waste and keep produce fresh. Reynolds estimates that, as a result, over the last year it has sent out 750,000 fewer cardboard and wooden boxes to customers and saved hundreds of tonnes of cardboard and paper.

Reynolds took the decision to move away from single trip cardboard packaging to a returnable crate scheme with Schoeller Allibert. So far, over 1,000 customers have switched to deliveries with the Maxinest crates, which have an average lifetime Product Carbon Footprint of just 26 kgCO2e for each crate, 68% less than cardboard.

Fishbox rental company, PPS East Limited, has reported a steady increase in directsales for its reusable packaging

Over recent months the company has seen added interest from fish merchants, suppliers and processors who are looking to purchase from PPS East various reusable containers, including plastic boxes, pans, defrosting crates and pallets for internal factory use. For storage and transportation of product to customers, orders are being placed for fish fillet trays, salmon and whole fish boxes, bale-arm crates, baskets, tubs and bins.

Traditionally, PPS East has supplied boxes for the Humber fish auction markets and also rents reusable plastic packaging for fresh fish suppliers in the UK and Europe. The company says that since the recent launch of its direct sales division revenue has increased and as a result, PPS East is now stocking at it Grimsby site a comprehensive range of fish box sizes (6kg, 10kg, 15kg, 25kg, 40kg & 50kg) for direct sales to customers. The company can also source most types of plastic containers as required, along with plastic pallets, wheeled dollies, insulated bins, pallet boxes, dolavs, etc

IFCOReusable Plastic Containers Show Benefits over One-way Corrugated Boxes in NewLife Cycle Study

IFCO SYSTEMS, the global leader in Reusable Plastic Containers (RPCs) for fresh products, today released a study confirming RPCs as a sustainable packaging option. The report shows the IFCO solution generates 82% less solid waste, consumes 92% less water, requires 49% lower energy demand, and lowers ozone depletion by 76% for a weighted average of 10 top produce commodities compared with shipping the same amount of produce in display-ready corrugated boxes. The report was produced by Franklin Associates, a Division of ERG, a leading consulting company specializing in life cycle analyses and solid waste management. 

Safeway Expands Usage of ReusableShipping Containers to Produce

Last summer (June 2012), Safeway has transitioned to using reusable product containers (RPCs), rather than corrugated boxes, to ship many types of produce from the farm fields, through the distribution channel and to final store destination. This transition eliminated the use of over 17 million pounds of corrugated boxes, , reduced CO2 by 37,518 tonnes, avoided harvest of 114,000 trees.

The role of packaging in minimizing food waste in the supply chain of the future

Australian-first research by RMIT University has shown the vital role of packaging in minimising food waste.

There are significant opportunities to reduce food waste in the supply chain through improvements and innovation in packaging and by communicating these benefits and opportunities to industry stakeholders.

Food is lost and wasted for many reasons, including damage in the field from severe weather events and disposal of inedible components during food preparation. While this loss/waste is largely unavoidable, other waste occurs due to inefficiencies or poor handling in the supply chain. This is where packaging can play an important role, for example by reducing damage in transit and handling or by extending shelf life. A number of packaging opportunities to reduce waste have been identified in this report, based on an extensive literature review and interviews with stakeholders. They are:

1) Distribution packaging that provides better protection and shelf life for fresh produce as it moves from the farm to the processor, wholesaler or retailer. This may require the development of tailored solutions for individual products.

2) Distribution packaging that supports recovery of surplus and unsaleable fresh produce from farms and redirects it to food rescue organisations.

3) Improved design of secondary packaging to ensure that it is fit-for-purpose, i.e. that it adequately protects food products as they move through the supply chain. Packaging developers need to understand the distribution process and where and why waste occurs.

4) A continuing shift to pre-packed and processed foods to extend the shelf life of food products and reduce waste in distribution and at the point of consumption (the home or food services provider). The packaging itself also needs to be recoverable to minimise overall environmental impacts.

5) Adoption of new packaging materials and technologies, such as modified atmosphere packaging and oxygen scavengers, to extend the shelf life of foods.

6) Education of manufacturers, retailers and consumers about the meaning of use-by and best-before date marks on primary packaging to ensure that these are used appropriately. Confusion about date marking results in food being thrown away when it is still safe to eat.

7) Product and packaging development to cater for changing consumption patterns and smaller households. Single and smaller serve products will reduce waste by meeting the needs of single and two person households.

8) Collaboration between manufacturers and retailers to improve the industry’s understanding of food waste in the supply chain. Greater attention to be given to where and why this occurs, tracking over time, will reduce the costs and environmental impacts of waste.

9) More synchronised supply chains that use intelligent packaging and data sharing to reduce excess or out-of-date stock.

10) Increased use of retail ready packaging to reduce double handling and damage and improve stock turnover, while ensuring that it is designed for effective product protection and recoverability (reuse or recycling) at end of life.

The implementation of these initiatives could be supported through further research and communication activities to highlight the critical links and trade-offs between packaging consumption, protection and containment of food, and food waste.

Read the full report

Smart Packaging: Food Safety Enhancement, Shelf-life Extension and Food Waste Reduction

You find enclosed my talk entitled: " Smart Packaging: Food Safety Enhancement, Shelf-life Extension and Food Waste Reduction " given at the SIAL Canada, April 30, 2013 in Toronto, Canada. 

Do not hesitate contact me (pak-bec@hotmail.com) if you wish a copy of the full presentation (55 slides)

 

Smart Packaging: Food Safety Enhancement, Shelf-life Extension and Food Waste Reduction from Islem Yezza

Recyclable Coated Paper for Food Service Packaging

You find enclosed my talk entitled: "Recyclable coated paper for Food service Packaging" given at the Food Packaging CoRR Conference, April 4, 2013, Washington, DC, USA.

 

Recyclable Coated Paper for Food Service Packaging from Islem Yezza

Recyclable coated paper for Food service Packaging

I will be presenting at the upcoming FoodPackaging CoRR Conference, scheduled for April 4, 2013 in Washington, DC.

My talk entitled: "Recyclable coated paper for Food service Packaging" will be focused on the application of recyclable barriers on paper for Food service Packaging Applications.

Agenda

1.     Paper-based Packaging : Trends and Market

2.     Enhancing barrier properties: Why Wax is on the Wane?

3.     Extrusion coating/lamination:

1.     Conventional resin

2.     Compostable resin (PLA)

3.     Film lamination

4.     Water-based coating: A bright future

5.     Eco-friendly and Innovative Paper-based Packaging

6.     Take home…

Cascades – Industrial Packaging, to exhibit at the 2013 International Boston Seafood Show

The International BostonSeafood Show is North America’s largest seafood trade show, which is taking place on March 10-12, 2013 at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center.

Visit Cascades-IndustrialPackaging Booth #1180 to meet our friendly staff and learn more about our eco-friendly and innovative packaging solutions for the transport of fresh and frozen fish and seafood products.

THERMA-INSULATOR CONTAINERS

POLAR CONTAINERS

EXTREME H2O CONTAINERS

EXTREME BULK CONTAINERS

Download Brochure: Speciality Container alternatives –Rethinking Processing and Conservation

Read more - ThermaFresh Box: RETHINKING fresh fish packingcontainers

Smart Packaging: Food Safety Enhancement, Shelf-life Extension and Food Waste Reduction

I will be presenting at the upcoming SIALCanada 2013, scheduled for April 30 to May 2, 2013 in Toronto, Canada.  

My talk entitled: " Smart Packaging: Food Safety Enhancement, Shelf-life Extension and Food Waste Reduction " will be focused on the applications of smart packaging in food industry.

Abstract

There is a growing need to address the most pressing issues facing food supply, namely food safety, food waste and food access. Innovative packaging solutions could play a key role.

The focus of smart (active and intelligent) packaging has moved from specific retailer and manufacturer driven benefits like shelf-life extension, traceability and food waste reduction, to include more consumer focused benefits such as food quality and safety, freshness and information. Active and intelligent packaging is the results of “thinking outside the box.” They are based on a deliberate interaction of the packaging with the food and/or its direct environment.

Outline

1. Food supply hot issues: Food Safety, Food Waste and Food Access
2. Packaging’s vital role
3. Active and intelligent Packaging: Concept, Applications & Innovations
4. Take home

Plastiroll launches bio-film to extend life of fresh food products

Biodegradable films producer Plastiroll has unveiled a new bio-film which it claims will extend the life of fresh food products such as fruits and vegetables

Following two years of research and development work, the Finnish based firm said its transparent packaging film was made from combination of corn starch based materials which results in a film which forms a breathable membrane that is biodegradable and “GMO-free with good strength properties”.

“Our new bio-film is an ecological alternative to conventional plastic films with the same physical properties. There is a demand for packaging materials with good green credentials as long as they perform as well as or better than conventional films,” said Jani Avellan, product development manager at Plastiroll.  He added: “For our customers this is a solution that offers significant cost savings through longer shelf life, less waste and lower disposal costs.”

The firm said that its new film can be easily disposed of along with the food waste. The packaging film is sealable and can be used on its own or as part of a carton box or tray.

Depending on customer requirements it can be supplied in different thickness and roll width for use in most types of packaging machinery.

In a statement, the firm said: “The performance has been rigorously tested with customers in Europe who have reported significantly increased self-life extensions of fresh produce.

“This is because the packaging film helps create an optimum balance between humidity control and oxygen and carbon dioxide permeability which, in turn, contributes to slowing product degradation. Also, due to the fact that sealing temperature of bio-films is lower than of conventional plastic films, less energy and lower temperatures are needed during the bio-film packaging process.”

Read more…

Innovative and Active Fresh Paper: Extending the Shelf Life of Your Produce

Fenugreen, a company in Massachusetts, has invented FreshPaper, an innovative and active sheet of paper made from organic material that inhibits the growth of bacteria, fungi and the like, making the food last longer.

The company, compares it to the “dryer sheet” for produce, and there certainly are similarities in appearance and simplicity. The five-inch square paper is free of chemicals and made from edible organic extracts (Impregnated with organic spices) that can be placed under the produce where it’s stored. A single sheet helps keep produce fresh for 2-4 times longer than normal. It’s biodegradable and can be composted or recycled.

As long as the sheet emits a maple-like odor that means it’s active. After about two or three weeks, the smell will fade and the sheet should be replaced.

They have been launched in Whole Food Markets in the US at a pack of 8 sheets for $4.99.

Source 

The rise of smarter packaging

Increasingly demanding requirements from food manufacturers and their consumers mean that packaging is becoming progressively 'smarter'. Active or intelligent packaging is a sector which continues to grow in size, with expansion driven by new applications and innovation. Jonathan Thomas reports.

Many areas of the global food industry now feature active and intelligent packaging. Although this covers a multitude of different areas, the sector is best described as a specific type of packaging capable of controlling or reacting to what is going on inside the container. Active/intelligent packaging offers numerous benefits, ranging from extending the shelf-life of certain products to controlling temperature and moisture levels inside containers.

Most estimates agree that the active and intelligent packaging sector is growing in size. According to data from BCC Research, the global active and intelligent packaging market rose from US$6bn in 2008 to US$7.6bn in 2011, with a figure of US$8.7bn forecast for 2013. If a broader definition incorporating other forms of controlled packaging is used, global market value increases to nearer US$20bn. Some of the world's largest markets include the US, Japan, the UK, Germany and Australia.

Although the active and intelligent sector still accounts for just 2% of the global packaging market at present, further growth in market value is expected. According to a spokesperson from Linpac Packaging, this is due to "the convenience trend, the need to extent shelf-life and reduction of waste". The market is also set to benefit from growing concerns over food safety, with more legislation expected in this area.

Read more…

Tesco trials new packaging to reduce food waste

Tesco is the latest supermarket to trial new packaging that will keep fruit and vegetables fresher, in a bid to reduce food waste.

It will become the first retailer to see how the packaging performs in prolonging the freshness of tomatoes and avocados – produce that triggers the highest wastage in the food industry. Tesco estimates the new packaging could lead to a potential saving of 1.6m packs of tomatoes and 350,000 packs of avocados every year. If successful, it could be rolled out across 80% of the varieties of tomato it sells.

The packaging contains a strip that absorbs ethylene, the hormone that causes fruit to ripen and then turn mouldy. The strip was developed in the UK by It's Fresh Ltd, which says it is 100 times more effective than any similar existing materials.

Read more…

Active Packaging: M&S to roll out 'life-extending' fruit packaging

Next week M&S will become the first major retailer to roll out ground-breaking new packaging which it claims will extend the life of fruit stored in the fridge by up to two days, helping to cut domestic food waste.

The supermarket will add a small plaster-style strip at the bottom of punnets of strawberries, containing a patented mixture of clay and other minerals that absorb ethylene – the ripening hormone which causes fruit to ripen and then turn mouldy. The strip measures 8cm x 4.5cm and does not affect the recyclability of the packaging, and the retailer claims there is no extra cost to the consumer of the packaging. If successful, it will be added to all the supermarkets' berries.

Trials carried out in M&S stores showed a minimum wastage saving of 4% – during the peak strawberry season this would equate to 40,000 packs, or about 800,000 strawberries. M&S says it is committed to reducing waste as part of its Plan A programme to be the world's most sustainable retailer.

Hugh Mowat, M&S Agronomist, said: "This new technology is a win-win for our customers – not only will their strawberries taste better for longer, but we really hope it will help them to reduce their food waste as they no longer need to worry about eating their strawberries as soon as they buy them."

Read more…

Five Packaging Trends That Will Shape 2012

After PackagingDiva, here is my list of 5 packaging trends to watch closely in 2012:

1. Functionality and sustainability: Finding the balance between under-packaging and over-packaging 
2. Sustainable Packaging: Increased focus on recyclability and Increased demand for sustainability
3. Paper-based packaging : Keep the Molecule in Play
4. Stand-up pouches: Maximum Flexibility, Sustainability and Convenience
5. The development of Bioplastics: A viable eco-friendly solution?

Best wishes for a healthy, wealthy, sustainable and innovative New Year 2012! 

1)  Functionality and sustainability: Finding the balance between under-packaging and over-packaging

For decades, packaging was seen as nothing but waste, a nuisance to be avoided. However, packaging waste pales into insignificance compared with the losses caused by food waste. According to recent FAO study, One-third of food in developing countries is destroyed before it ever reaches the consumer.

Food packaging—could now move from being the villain to being the hero:

1. Packaging prevents food waste and saves resources
2. Packaging is part of the solution for an overall resource efficient economy
3. Packaging facilitates more sustainable lifestyles

You have to balance functionality with sustainability

2)    Sustainable Packaging:  Increased focus on recyclability and Increased demand for sustainability

Concerns about sustainability and environmental friendliness will continue to impact all areas of the packaging industry. Consumers are increasingly interested in their personal impact on the environment and are demanding more from manufacturers.

Major companies are beginning to take note and a few have stepped forward to lead the “sustainable packaging revolution”. They are looking for ways to reduce, down-gauge, lightweight their packaging. Companies will benefit from these efforts, thanks to material savings and increased demand from green consumers.

World demand for green packaging—including recycled-content, reusable, and degradable packaging is projected to rise 5.7% per year to $212 billion in 2015 (Freedonia, 2011).

 Sustainable packaging:  Win-Win-Win for the environment, for manufacturers and suppliers, and for consumers

3)     Paper-based packaging : Keep the Molecule in Play

Paper-based Packaging provides versatile and responsible packaging solutions for product manufacturers, retailers, and consumers. Paper has an excellent image as packaging material (renewable and biodegradable). However due to missing performance characteristics and barrier properties, paper has been largely replaced by polymers (e.g. PE). Improving paper's barrier properties is seen as a crucial step in increasing its viability as a packaging material:

• Wax is on the Wane: The future is clear – wax replacement packaging will become a necessity
• With the push towards sustainability, repulpability and recyclability, water-based technologies are gaining acceptance.
•  Water-based coatings can be custom-formulated to meet the packaging requirements of a wide range of fresh and frozen products
• Opportunities for retailers to sharply reduce their landfill costs, while boosting their recycling levels

 Bright Future: Water-based technologies are gaining wider acceptance

4)     Stand-up Pouches: Maximum Flexibility, Sustainability and Convenience

The trend toward stand-up pouches packaging has been mainly driven by companies looking for ways to increase shelf appeal and differentiate their products from the competition and add consumer convenience. Stand-up pouches can be used as an additional marketing tool for brand owners looking to boost sales.

From an environmental point of view, pouches are more sustainable than traditional packaging formats (cans, boxes or rigid plastic container). They utilize much less material, improve the product to package ratio and eliminate over packaging and waste. Depending upon the application, pouches can weigh up to 95% less than rigid containers and take up less than 10% of the space typically used by rigid containers. In addition, pouches require much less landfill space than other containers.

Stand-up Pouches: Lightweight packaging solutions with optimal protection

5)     The development of Bioplastics: A viable eco-friendly solution?

While bioplastics are being embraced, labeling confusion, skepticism on functional abilities and environmental claims continue to pose challenges and concerns:

1. Confusion in terminology:  Biobased, Compostable, biodegradable, Oxo…? - Education is needed to clarify in the minds of consumers and clients, the environmental benefits of these new materials

2. End of life hurdles: the puzzle?  - Consumers are confused when it comes to separating biodegradable, compostable and recyclable plastics. Information about how to best dispose of it, is necessary

3. Carbon footprint: bioplastics not necessarily greener than oil based relatives? - Skeptics about LCA studies: data may not be accurate or complete and system boundaries are not easily defined

4. Price: Current prices for bioplastics are significantly higher than the cost of PE - People are environmentally conscious when it’s convenient and affordable. Higher oil prices are lowering the gap in prices of bioplastics and conventional plastics

5. Weak barrier properties: MVTR, OTR, heat resistance, microwavable…? - Barrier and physical properties may limit applications - Blends and compounding

6. Value proposition: Promoting Biobased, Biodegradable or Compostable? - Is not yet clear in the minds of most consumers and clients

Finally, both the packaging industry and consumers need to work together to develop a unified set of standards that will end confusion and maintain transparency in the rapidly growing sustainability sector:

1. The distinctions are subtle but significant:  not all bioplastics are created equal and there are a lot of misleading claims out there
2. Education: has to be a combined effort from resin makers, converters and the companies that will be selling these products to the consumer