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Alternative packaging in the beverage industry, especially the alcoholic beverage industry, has been received with dissent. The resistance, or rather, reluctance of the customer base to accept significant changes has been backed by an almost blind love for glass bottles. While cans and “wine-in-a-box” options have also positioned themselves in the market by dint of cost and convenience, they are still only second to the classic glass bottles that one wishes to showcase in their home bar.
This forceful and continuous rejection has recently mellowed due to a growing awareness of sustainability and changing international laws and local regulations.
Although the heavy glass bottles symbolize grandeur and are easy to recycle, they are expensive to ship.
To combat the rife prevalence of inconvenient, non-biodegradable alcohol packaging, a few big names have placed new products and/or product packaging, incorporating sustainable materials and designs, on the market.
Johnnie Walker by Diageo
The Johnnie Walker paper-based bottle (link https://www.packagingconnections.com/news/johnnie-walkers-parent-firm-d…) launched in 2021 is made from sustainably-sourced wood pulp. It is sourced from certifiable renewable sources, made using renewable energy, is recyclable and has an overall lower carbon footprint than typical spirits bottles. It is also 75% lighter.
Other Sustainable Options and Alternatives:
1. Cellulose Fiber Solutions: Similar to the Johnnie Walker product, these bottle use layers of recycled paperboard which are fused together with a water-based glue. This bottle design is 94% chemical-free. It is also resistant to humidity and spills and can survive up to a 5-foot drop without breaking. Beverages stored in a such a bottle can supposably be safely preserved for 12 months. The container is lined with a polyethylene metalized polyester laminate film which can be removed for recycling purposes.
2. rPET: rPET is a BPA-free and food-safe plastic and creates a container that is 87% lighter than glass. The shelf life is estimated to be around 21 months.
Circular Systems: Some brands have initiated a returnable bottle system that allows buyers to drop-off used, empty bottles at collections bins. Reusability is targeted at 10 uses per bottle.
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In previous blogs, we detailed adhesives in terms of their classification and application. In this piece, we will talk about different chemical compositions and structures. So, let’s begin!
Adhesives can either be natural or synthetic based on their source. Natural adhesives include animal, plant and mineral-derived adhesives. Albumin, casein, dextrin, soybean protein, starch, amber and paraffin are a few components that comprise of category that is natural sources of adhesive materials.
Synthetic adhesives are developed using human-made polymers and are more prevalent in the industry today. Industrial applications require stronger bond strength and durability that this category of adhesives is able to provide. Synthetic adhesives can be further classified into thermoplastic, thermosetting and elastomeric adhesive. These constitute of adhesives derived from acrylic, polyurethane, polyamide, silicone and many other types of polymers.
• Thermoplastic Adhesives: They have no curing period and either cool or dry upon application. Cellulose derivatives, polyacrylates, polyethers, polysulfones, saturated polyesters, and vinyl polymers and copolymers can all act as a base for thermoplastic adhesives.
• Thermosetting Adhesives: They are cured to undergo permanent and irreversible chemical crosslinking. Heat, pressure, exposure to moisture, radiation and employing a catalyst are all curing methods depending upon the type of thermosetting adhesive used. Amino plastics, epoxies, furanes, phenolic resins, polyaromatics, and unsaturated polyesters are all used in thermosetting adhesives.
• Elastomeric Adhesive: Also recognized as rubber adhesives, they are elastic, durable, and capable of withstanding extension and compression stresses. A curing period may or may not be required depending on the type of rubber adhesive.
1. EPOXY ADHESIVES: These thermosetting adhesives are temperature and solvent resistant and can be structurally bonded to metals, ceramics, wood and plastic.
2. POLYURETHANE ADHESIVES: There are both thermoplastic and thermosetting varieties of this adhesive. They tend to provide high bond strength and elasticity. They require moisture to set.
3. POLYIMIDE ADHESIVES: Known for their strength, and chemical and heat resistance, their formulation can either be thermoplastic or thermosetting.
4. POLYAMIDE ADHESIVES: Polyamide adhesives can also be thermosetting or thermoplastic
We’ve already covered two primary categories of adhesives; hot melts and water-based adhesives, in the last blog. Now we move on to solvent-based and pressure-sensitive adhesives and their applications.
Solvent-based adhesives are mixtures of solvents and thermoplastic or slightly crosslinked polymers. These include polychloroprene, polyurethane, acrylic, silicone, and natural and synthetic rubbers (elastomers). They contain significant amounts of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are considered harmful and irritants. Thus, this category of adhesives is subject to regulations worldwide.
Application
They can be applied by roller, brush, and spray or as beads either manually or by automated machines. They typically gain bond strength when dried and, in some cases when cured.
Features
• Less sensitive than other types of adhesives to contaminants like grease and oil on the substrate to be bonded due to formulation with organic solvents
The solvent-based adhesive can be classified as either wet or dry bonding.
With Wet-bonding adhesives the substrates must be bonded while the adhesive is still liquid, after application of the adhesive.
However, allowing some time to pass for evaporation to occur prior to the set time will increase the initial strength of the adhesive bond and it will also allow for quicker assembly. Full bond strength is obtained after the remaining solvent is fully evaporated or absorbed by the substrate which requires at least one substrate to be porous.
In dry bonding, also known as contact adhesives, both substrates are coated with adhesive and the solvent is allowed to evaporate before the parts are bonded. The parts are then mated using only light pressure to insure adequate contact of the two adhesive films. The full bond strength only builds over time as the polymers of the two adhesive films co-mingle.
Wet vs. Dry Bonding
Contact adhesives have usually much higher initial green strength and also offer higher final strength, especially when heat-cured.
They also have better heat and creep resistance than wet-bonded adhesives.
Pressure sensitive adhesives (PSA) are usually applied as tape; it can be a material that will hold two surfaces together solely by surface contact. The bond strength is directly proportional to the pressure applied during application.
Application
Pressure sensitive adhesives can be used as replacement to screws, rivets, nuts and bolts and clips.
Features
PSAs are usually able to bond with a varied selection of materials including cloth, paper, plastic, metal, wood and glass.
It is a dry solid that does not require activation in the form of a solvent, water or heat at the time of application; they have a permanent level of tack at room temperature.
Natural tree gums were one of the first materials to be used as a pressure-sensitive adhesive. Today, most common pressure-sensitive polymers employed for PSAs include acrylic, rubbers (elastomers) and silicone.
RFID and NFC tags are widely used in the packaging industry for various purposes. Though minute, there are key differences between the two technologies that impact their application.
In this blog, we will detail the technology specifications, the differences and advantages of each system to elucidate and better comprehend their ideal use cases.
Both RFID and NFC are chip-based technologies. In fact, NFC is modern subset of RFID and uses the same protocols.
Radio Frequency Identification Tags
RFID Tags contain a chip and an antenna for wireless identification of the objects they are attached to or embedded in. The wireless identification process takes place with the help of an RFID reader. Unlike bar or QR code technology, RFID tags do not require a line of sight from the tag to the reader and support both read/write functionality. Most RFID tags in use are passive; they work maintenance-free and without battery power.
Hot filling and cold filling are two methods of contract packaging (or co-packing*) perishable food products and liquids. These methods are not to be confused with fill temperature; while hot and cold filling are preservation methods, fill temperature affects the viscosity of the liquid and thus impacts the accuracy of the packaging machine.
To correctly conclude which filling method is best suited for a product, it is imperative to understand the key differences between the two.
HOT FILLING
Heat is used to sterilize both the product and the container in the hot filling process. Temperatures between 194 and 203 Fahrenheit are achieved and maintained for the successful completion of this process. Both the product and the container are held at the temperature for at least 15-20 seconds. This is to ensure that no bacteria survive in either the contents or on the container. The container is then cooled to 180 degrees Fahrenheit and sealed. Once sealed, the package is left to cool down to room temperature.
COLD FILLING
As the name suggests, cold filling works by employing extremely low temperatures. Extreme cold, like extreme heat, also kills bacteria. The product and its packaging are exposed to ice-cold air. Cold filling requires the additional step of wet or dry sterilization.
Cold filling has gained popularity because of its independence from preservatives and other additives that are used to protect the food during the hot filling process.
Hot filling is primarily used for food products that are acidic in nature. These include sodas, vinegar, vinegar-based sauces, sports drinks, and juices which are packaged in glass, cardboard and some specific, heat-resistant plastics.
Cold filling is the chosen method of preservation for dairy products. Most packaging containers are compatible with the cold fill process.
Hot filled products tend to have higher shelf-life and the process itself is less costly. Hot filling is also safer to conduct.
*Co-Packing, is the overall process of assembling a product or good into its final finished packaging
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Building on last week’s blog, we are back with a quick-read on how to optimize your e-commerce packaging. Finding the right balance between appropriate protection and minimal material used is a task and a half. So, let’s go over a few examples that might help us determine designs, materials, and sizes fit for the e-commerce packaging industry.
1. To Box or to Bag
When considering whether to use a box or a bag as your outermost packaging layer (tertiary/secondary packaging), consider the weight, shape and size of your product. Sometimes, tertiary packaging is only used for branding purposes. In that case, make sure it is worth the cost. Sturdy boxes that can be reused are ideal for heavy and rigid products. Double-walled boxes should be used for large, heavy products like air conditioners and other similar electrical and electronic devices. A layer of plastic might be necessary to protect the packaging and product from water damage in case of exposure. Use reusable cloth bags for flexible and light products.
2. Packaging Inserts and Fillers
A rigid but fragile product would ideally require an insert and can additionally be protected by fillers. It must be tightly packed in a box to ensure that it endure the journey from the warehouse to the customer’s delivery location.
3. Labels and more labels
Correctly labeling your product and packaging is crucial for retaining customers in the eCommerce industry. Customers must be satisfied with the level of information provided and should be easily able to access said information. Place labels in plain sight and use bold, clear fonts that are legible. Providing information about the packaging is impactful as well; educate your buyers about disposal, recycling options, and storage in case of reusability.
4. Itty Bitties
Padded mailers or envelopes are the perfect choices for small products like jewelry and other accessories.
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