USES FOR AI IN PACKAGING

Artificial Intelligence is quickly taking over many advanced processes in all industries. At its current rate of advancement, AI is making a big dent in the production and distribution of packaging as well.

Let’s go over some of the technology that AI has backed in the packaging industry.

1. Vision Systems
   AI models have been created to process customer complaints and improve products. These help in optimizing packaging that can in turn help reduce damage to the product. The algorithms today are so precise that they can pinpoint if a cardboard box needs to be replaced with cloth bags and can consider aspects such a light weighting and sustainability.
   
   Such machine learning systems can help reduce delivery costs, carbon footprint and improve efficiency to up to a 100%.

2. Recycling Systems
   AI-powered robots using optical sensors can segregate waste without leaving room for human error to mistake something unrecognizable to be something it is not. This will reduce mixing of waste streams and improve the recycling process.
    

3. Data Labelling
   Automated data labelling would be a standardized procedure that can help reduce customer dissatisfaction and loss of profit due to human error. Data embedded barcodes are an example of AI in date labelling. Scanning of these barcodes can be used to protect packaging lines from errors, emergency product withdrawals (EPWs), and product recalls.
    

4. Product Engineering
   Engineering data can be used to help manufacturers and designers create more sustainable products. Machine learning models can also be used to predict design performance.

Companies designing AI solutions for packaging:

• OAL designed AI-powered data labels
• AMP Robotics is working to revolutionize recycling with AI
• Monolith AI is the only product engineering AI provider
• Package X uses optical character recognition (OCR) and artificial intelligence to process packages
• Sensei manufactures AI-based Recycling Machines

TAMPER-PROOF, TAMPER-RESISTANT AND TAMPER-EVIDENT

The three terms in the title are often used interchangeably, and wrongfully so. Tamper-proof, tamper-resistant and tamper-evident are indicative of three different categories of technology that allow businesses to safeguard their product before it reaches the customer.

Let’s go over what exactly can be defined as the above-mentioned technologies to avoid any false expectations.  

TAMPER-PROOF

These labels’ seals cannot be ripped easily. In most case, they have to be cracked open with force or cut off, eliminating any risk of the contents being tampered with before consumption. They can also be waterproof and prevent opening in wet and cold conditions. They are most commonly used in the beverage industry and are usually made of “void” polyester or destructible vinyl.

In short, tamper-proofing not only makes it evident when a package in tampered with but also makes it difficult to do the same. 

TAMPER-EVIDENT

Tamper-evident labels provide clear indication that a product has been accessed or altered before  reaching the end user it is intended for. This does not necessarily mean that the label or seal is strong enough to prevent intentional tampering but simply indicates the presence of an extra layer of protection. They are most commonly used in food, hygienic and pharmaceutical packaging.

TAMPER-RESISTANT

Tamper-resistant and tamper-evident are often used interchangeably to describe the same label function. However, there is a key difference defined by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Tamper-resistant labels and seals are used to deter or resist tampering but may not necessarily leave any mark or indication the signifies tampering. On the other hand, tamper-evident seals always leave behind a mark of sorts to indicate tampering.

In the market, tamper-evident seals have a leg up on tamper-resistant seals as tamper-evident seals are better for maintaining brand and product integrity.

ERP in the Packaging Industry

In every industry, managing everyday miscellaneous tasks takes up a large chunk of the time of many employees. From small to large corporations, every company must engage in accounting, risk management, compliance, and overall project management.  The same is true for the packaging industry.

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) helps companies optimize these processes and make them more efficient both in terms of time management and accuracy. ERP refers to software that can help plan, budget, predict and report on an organization’s financial outcomes.

Recently, the packaging industry has been exposed to ERP designed specifically for its functioning.

Following is a list of ERP for the Packaging Industry:

1. EFI Radius

EFI Radius is an industry-leading packaging and labels converting MIS and ERP software. A cloud-hosted solution, this product helps packaging businesses facilitate the collection and integration of company-wide information. The use of this software has historically led to more profitable business management.

2. IS Packaging

This ERP system is designed for packaging manufacturers. It is also cloud-hosted and promises a faster CPQ (Configure-Price-Quote) process.

The packaging ERP system includes product configuration and calculation, order entry and execution, price and margin management, and master data management and compliance.

3. VoluPack ERP

This solution is aimed at corrugators, cardboard makers, and converters. Also a cloud-hosted solution, it manages manufacturing processes and helps achieve fast, optimized estimates on the basis of the industry standards.

4. CC|print, and packaging

This software for printing and packaging companies is built on Microsoft Dynamics 365. It supports all common printing technologies for the production of folded boxes, labels, flexible packaging, corrugated packaging, and displays. Product finishing processes such as laminating, perforating, embossing, and gluing are also part of the industry solution. The same applies to the process stages of (roll) cutting, packaging, and confectioning.

Tamper-evident packaging is a broad category of packaging practices and technology that alerts the consumer of foul play or damage to the product during the B2C route. To learn more about TEP with some examples, you can read the blog linked here (https://www.packagingconnections.com/blog-entry/tamper-evident-packaging.htm).

In this piece we will focus on the benefits of tamper-evident packaging; besides the few obvious ones such as product integrity, TEP can help improve brand image and overall brand reliability. So let’s go over why you should tamper-proof your product.

1. REDUCED RISK OF DAMAGES GOODS

Tamper proofing could be something as simple as an added layer of plastic strapping that restricts boxes from being opened during shipment.

Since product damage usually leads to lost revenue and affects the brand image, it is better to safeguard product with tamper-evident packaging (in this case, tamper-resistant packaging would serve the same purpose as tamper-evident packaging).

2. MONETARY BENEFITS

TEP ensures higher product integrity and thus fewer returns, refunds and replacements. This directly translates into larger profits in the long run.

3. INCREASED CUSTOMER TRUST

Consumers are more likely to put their trust in a product that clearly displays a commitment to health and safety. This is especially true for  food and over-the-counter medicines and supplements. A simple added seal gives shoppers the satisfaction and sense of safety to buy certain products.

4. CUSTOMER PROTECTION

Safeguarded products do not only benefit the brand or the seller but also the buyer. Provision of good-quality products increases customer retention as it prevents them from wasting time on returns and replacements.

Reduced product loss due to improved packaging also means wider profit margins at reduced retail costs.

Safely packed products also increase reliability with retailers.

Watch out for our next blog to learn the difference between tamper-proof, tamper-resistant and tamper-evident.

COVID turned the market upside down. With restrictions on international travel, people cooped up in their houses, and minimum in-person interactions, things were bound to change. The question now is: Are pandemic-driven changes here to stay?

More than a year and a half working from home brought many people to the realization that they don’t necessarily need to drive 40 minutes one-way, every day only to sit at a desk in their office. It was observed that we do already have the technology to support extensive communication, collaboration, and real-time data sharing and editing online and to run automated processes efficiently without constant human supervision.

The result: SAVED RESOURCES. Optimization of time, money and human resources has been one of the greatest learnings from what is viewed as one of the most widespread global crises in human history. In the packaging industry, where long-term goals are somewhat consistent throughout the world, international associations and education have been made easier by the “Zoom” era.

The beginning of complete lockdowns in many economic capitals was accompanied by a surge in “free webinars” which not only helped individual brands share their expertise but also build an extensive, international network. Sustainability is one of the most sought-after features in every niche of the packaging industry, was extensively talked about, researched, and debated considering the hike in hygiene standards and drop in reusability that was brought about by COVID.

With the expectation of things returning to “normal”, we wonder if we want EVERYTHING to go back to the way it was. Virtual expos and Webinars have seen higher participation rates in the past two years than many in-person events ever before. The world has been brought closer together while being confined to each’s own living room.

For the packaging industry specifically, since webinars and virtual events lead to higher rates of global involvement, standardization can be accelerated across countries by increasing discourse.

As we continue to dig deeper into what the “new normal” will look like, we observe more and more changes in trends that are here to stay.

The packaging industry, while might appear to be concentrated and operational in a small niche, caters to a wide variety of manufacturers and suppliers. In this blog, we will list the major Indian packaging companies that support the pharmaceutical industry.

1. UFlex Limited

UFlex is an Indian-based international company that caters to clients in about 140 different countries. Its products include BOPET Films, BOPP Films, CPP Films, Flexible Laminates & Pouches, Holograms, Packaging & Converting Machines. It is India’s largest flexible packaging company and has been a multi-billion dollar company since it was founded in 1985. UFlex’s manufacturing facilities enjoy ISO & HACCP accreditations and its products are approved by FDA.

2. Essel Propack Limited

Essel Propack is one of the largest global specialty packaging providers. It is the world’s largest manufacturer of laminated plastic tubes with 20 state-of-the-art facilities operating across  10 countries which include the USA, Mexico, Colombia, Poland, Germany, Egypt, Russia, China, the Philippines, and, of course, India. Essel Propack emphasizes an eco-friendly approach towards packaging methods. It has produced recyclable tubes and all its packaging materials can be recycled using HDPE.

3. ACG Worldwide

ACG Group started off as a manufacturer of empty hard capsules headquartered in Mumbai and now has a presence in over 100 countries. The films and foils division offers specialty packaging films, high-barrier films, pharmaceutical-grade and camera-inspected range of aluminum-based foils, anti-counterfeiting packaging solutions, and polymer films. The products comply with international standards such as US FDA, Canada-DMF, ISO and European Pharmacopoeia.

4. Bilcare

Established in 1987, Bilcare is based out of Pune. It is a research-driven organization and its aluminum foils, polymer films, and anti-counterfeiting packaging solutions secure its competitive place in the packaging industry. Bilcare is also a dominant player in the blister packaging market. Its customer-centric approach and global collaborations allow it to be up to speed with the ever-changing, ever-growing industry. BIlcare’s highly qualified material science experts work towards creating high-quality and integrity products at optimal costs.  

Active packaging is a form of smart packaging that intentionally absorbs or releases compounds from or to the food incased in it. These compounds are added to extend the quality and shelf life of the food product. They do so by slowing down internal reactions that degrade the food. These include lipid oxidation, microbial growth, and loss of moisture.

Scavengers and Emitters are the two types of compounds incorporated into active packaging. In this blog, we will discuss the different types of scavengers.

Scavengers have historically been packed in separate sachets within the primary packaging but now can also be embedded within the primary packaging structure. Technological development has helped reduce costs and simplified manufacturing and use in many ways.

There are 3 types of scavengers:

1. Ethylene Scavengers: Ethylene scavengers slow down the ripening process of the contents. They are usually added to the packaging in sachets. Ethylene scavengers contain zeolite or potassium permanganate and absorb ethylene and moisture released to reduce senescence. They also contain sodium metabisulfite salt which releases sulfur dioxide if it comes in contact with water.

If the scavenger is incorporated in the headspace of the packaging, 1-methyl cyclopropane is used to diffuse ethylene blockers and slow senescence.

2. Oxygen Scavengers: These contain iron or ascorbic acid and stall oxidation. They also inhibit microbial growth. The substrate of choice is incorporated into a polymer structure as either light-sensitive dyes or sacrificial unsaturated dienes. Recent development has also allowed consumers to activate oxygen scavengers in opened resealable packages.

3. Moisture Scavengers: Moisture scavengers control moisture inside a package and absorb any liquid seeping from the food. Many different substrates are known to absorb excess moisture. These include clays, humectants, zeolites, and high-capacity hydrogels.

In the next blog, we will cover the other type of compounds used in active packaging: Emitters.

Deciding what packaging machinery to install in the production space is a crucial step in product manufacturing. While picking specific machines, equipment, and layout as well as the size of the workforce factors such as economic efficiency, room for growth, and level of automation need to be considered.

In this blog, we will discuss the questions machine manufacturers and packaging specialists, together, must ask in a specific order to design and set up the best possible product floor based on their requirements.  

1. What exactly is the packaging required for?

Knowing the contents of the packaging use, design, and quantity help determine the kind of filling machine required for the line. Extensive details of the design also help determine the sealing (or capping) equipment as well as the labeling machinery.  

2. What is the production requirement and are there any capacity restrictions?

The operational hours of the manufacturing unit as well as the required production rate determine the speed and thus the efficiency of the packaging line. Any economic restrictions to buy higher-grade machinery will also be considered in this step. Once calculations are made, the level of automation can be decided upon.

What makes this step tricky is the additional variable of expected growth. The equipment installed should provide room to increase the production rate as the company grows and the economic feasibility of upgrading the machinery in the near future should also consider.

3. How much area and manual labor is available for the facility?

To finalize the layout of the production floor, it is important to have a floor plan for the facility and also know how much labor is available to support the automated processes. Knowing the size of the workforce is important in determining the secondary equipment used at the facility. These including loading turntables, case packers, pallet wrapper, etc.

Besides the consideration of the above-mentioned factors, what comes first and foremost is ensuring the safety of your workers which requires conducting a risk assessment at beginning of your procurement process. Risk analysis should also be conducted periodically to ensure that standards are being upheld.

Adhesive and Peel Technology: Crash Course Part 2

Following the previous blog which discussed the forces affecting the nature of an adhesive, this piece will focus on the two types of peels; Adhesive Peel and Cohesive Peel.

Typically, an adhesive peel leaves both joined surfaces intact after peeling. This means no residual adhesive resides on either of the surfaces post-peel.  This peel technology is the market trend and how you would observe most adhesives to work.

In a cohesive peel sealant, when pulled apart, the sealant layer splits in half. Each half sticks to the surface attached to it.

The difference in composition between an adhesive peel sealant and a cohesive peel sealant is that an adhesive peel sealant is composed of a singular polymer while a cohesive peel sealant contains an additional, incompatible polymer to disrupt the matrix. It is the weakening of the uniform polymer matrix that creates the cohesive nature of the adhesive.

Cohesive peel technology is advantageous in controlling the variability in peel strength, reducing fiber tear, and offering a consistent peel for the user.

Colored cohesive peels are useful in ensuring seal integrity. They are a visual indicator of whether the package has been opened before or not. Before opening, the user can observe the tinted seal for any non-uniformities.

With cohesive peel, seal strength can also be altered by choosing different secondary polymers to disrupt the matrix. Greater disparities between the viscosities of the primary and secondary polymer increase the seal strength.

Cohesive peel sealants also have a consistent seal strength over a wider range of activation temperatures. This means that, unlike adhesive peel sealants, they are less reliant on seal temperature or dwell time for a certain seal strength.

Seeing the benefits of this emerging technology, we might soon see a change in market trends.

Source: https://www.healthcarepackaging.com/machinery-materials/flexible-packaging/article/21577087/cohesive-peel-technology-for-medical-device-packaging

Adhesives are widely used in the packaging industry for various purposes; for forming, sealing and labeling boxes, bags, and other types of containers. However, not all adhesives are the same in their qualities. Based on application, some are stronger, some are more permanent, and some stick quicker than others.

To understand how these features can be varied and controlled, let’s go over the 3 forces that are considered while designing a pressure-sensitive adhesive:

TACK: Tack measures how quickly the adhesive bond forms between the adhesive itself and the surface it is being attached to. High tack will require minimal pressure and a short period of contact to produce a strong bond.

ADHESION: Adhesion describes the actual physical attraction between the adhesive and the surface. High adhesion adhesives bond well and stick strongly to substrates.

COHESION: Cohesion is used to describe the inner bond of an adhesive. This means the degree to which the adhesive is able to hold itself together. High cohesion would signify low tearing and high stability within the adhesive.

Let’s look at the types of adhesives based on these features:

Temporary and Reversible Bond Adhesives

In such adhesives, the features of prime importance are tack and cohesion. High tack ensures quick adhesion to the substrate and high cohesion ensures removal without residue. High adhesion would affect the temporary nature of the adhesive.

Permanent Adhesives

For these adhesives, adhesion and cohesion are important forces to consider. A balance between adhesion and cohesion ensures a stable bond that is resistant to tearing and sticks strongly to the substrate. Such adhesives usually support heavy loads and are also appropriate for sealing.

Quick-Stick Adhesives

For this application, tack and adhesion are of prime importance. Such adhesives stick quickly and firmly.

An integral part of packaging design, especially in this era of ecommerce and abundant international shipments of fragile products, packaging fillers need to chosen correctly if you want your packaging to serve its purpose.

Packaging fillers come in many shapes, sizes, textures and materials. Like any other component, each type has its own pros and cons and is well suited for specific applications.

In this blog, we will go over some

PACKAGING (KRAFT) PAPER

Packing paper can be easily folded, cut into different shapes and sizes and be used as a void filler.

PROS:

• Easy to customize
• Can be used from branding and marketing purposes
• Can be recycled and even upcycled
• Easily available
• “Green Packaging”

CONS:

• A lot of material is required to ensure proper protection
• Gets compressed easily which always leaves room for doubt regarding adequate filling

AIR-BASED FILLERS

These fillers usually come in the form of plastic polyethylene bags that are filled with air using a machine and sealed by heat.

PROS:

• Recycled options available
• Lightweight
• Can be stored efficiently, without taking too much space (deflated)
• Easy to handle

CONS:

• Needs expensive machinery to inflate
• Increases package size
• Non-biodegradable
• Not heat-friendly; can burst

FOAM-BASED FILLERS

Used to provide extra cushioning for the product rather than just filling up space, foam-based fillers can be in the form of inserts, sheets or even pouches.

PROS:

• Best protection
• Highly customizable to fit the product
• Does not add much weight

CONS:

• Hard to recycle and
• Take lots of storage space
• If designed as perfect-fit inserts, hard to reuse

PACKAGING PEANUTS and BUBBLE WRAP are two types of packaging fillers that have been traditionally used for decades now but are currently on the decline. This is because of styrofoam’s (packaging peanuts) carcinogenic properties. They are also both made of very unsustainable materials and are generally looked down upon in the market.

popular types of box cushioning, their pros and their cons.

Almost halfway through another year, it is time for some updates on technology in the field of packaging.

Technological growth, this year, has accommodated the increased concern for hygiene and a significant surge in e-commerce.

Let’s look at a few of the recent developments:

X-RAY TECHNOLOGY WITH LASER VISION

X-Ray technology has now been used for inspection of food and its packaging for years now. But now machines deepen the level of precision by strengthening the algorithm used to pinpoint defects.

In a gist, x-ray technology works by reporting the discrepancies’ in the energies absorbed by the body of the product. These discrepancies could simply be a result of the change in the density of the product or due to a contaminant or leak.  

Now, traditionally, only one algorithm is used to study any unevenness, but with newer technology, up to five algorithms can be put into place to ensure no inconsistencies go unnoticed. This is the same as adding four more dimensions to the image of an object. Now it can be observed from different angles; different points of view. And all of this takes place with the use of a single system.

These new machines not only consider energy absorption but also employ shape recognition and much more. Advanced algorithms can be used to detect improper sealing and tears as well.

FIT-TO-SIZE AUTOMATED PACKAGING

Automated packaging systems and lines are known to lower human involvement and thus increase accuracy. Today, fit-to-size boxes can be created for products using 3D scanning technology. These machines can size, construct, weigh and label each package – whether it contains one item or more. With short cycle times and high efficiency, such machines are not only worth the initial set-up cost but also ensure reduced material consumption and waste of human resources in manual labor.

In 2021, anyone who shops for groceries knows to avoid the single-use plastic bag as it pollutes the environment. This blog will cover how those bags, if used, go on to break down into microplastics and why microplastic pollution is considered so harmful that we want to get rid of it altogether.

What are microplastics?

Growing concern over the past decade, the term microplastic was only introduced in 2004 and has no one consistent definition. In general, microplastics are any particle of plastic smaller than 5mm in any dimension. Microplastics further break down into nano plastics, and as far as we know, there is no end to this slow degradation. This means that no matter how long an article made of plastic is left to degrade in the environment, it might never cease to exist in a way that its presence is considered negligible or undisruptive.

There are two categories of classifications for microplastics:

PRIMARY: Manufactured in the order of the size limit; which means these are not a result of degradation of larger plastics.

SECONDARY: A result of mechanical or photo-oxidative degradation of larger plastics.

Once disposed of, plastics are processed to be broken down and the remains are released into different water bodies.

With over a century of use of plastic, especially single-use plastic, all aquatic habitats on our planet are reported to be contaminated by microplastics.

How are microplastics harmful?

Once microplastics have degraded enough, they release not only monomers but also toxic additives from the manufacturing process. These are detrimental to marine health. O state simply, the ingestion of microplastics by marine life can, ultimately, completely destroy food webs and life as we know it.

So the question is,

HOW TO REDUCE TO THE CONCENTRATION OF MICROPLASTICS IN NATURE?

1. The obvious one: Switch out of plastic at every stage of the value chain as well as a product life cycle. Replace it with plant-based alternatives that can either be reused a number of times or biodegrades without creating any harmful by-products.
2. Regular ocean clean-ups and efficient recycling of discarded plastic.
3. Law-enforced bans of manufacture of microplastics and single-use plastics

The Covid-19 pandemic has brought changes in every aspect of life as we knew it. This includes how we view, buy and use products and by association, the packaging that encases these products. Today, consumers’ expectations and preferences are heavily dependent on the impact of this global crisis. With emerging variants and new health advisories on a daily, buyers expect rapid changes from the market to accommodate the crucial needs of the general public.

A few areas of packaging and packaging design that have needed to keep pace with changing scenario are:

Multifaceted Sustainability, with a focus on hygiene: Many of the sustainable packaging initiatives took a hit with the emergence of the coronavirus, so much so that we initially observed a rise in the use of single-use plastic due to the fear of virus transmission. Now, with a better understanding of how the virus moves and learned coping mechanisms, the industry is able to regain the balance it had created for functionality and sustainability. In addition, it is also able to introduce higher standards for hygiene considering it is a prime area of concern for most consumers.

Improving the hygiene of packaging will primarily consist of the following changes:

1. Choosing Packaging Material Substrate
2. Minimizing Exposure of Primary Packaging Pre-Consumption
3. Eliminating External Exposure of Packaging Elements used for Consumption (For example, spouts and openings that are put directly in contact with the mouth to consume the contents.)

Packaging with a focus on e-commerce and direct-to-consumer shipping: With the majority of the past year's spend under lockdown, people are now more comfortable with online shopping. This includes shopping for daily necessities such as groceries. So far, most packaging models were optimized for the brick-and-mortar model, but now there is a rapid shift to accommodate for changing trends.

A few elements that are a must-have for ship-ready packaging are:

1. Extra Protection
2. Tamper-Proofing
3. Return-Friendly

As we learn to live and grow through these trying times, every day will new opportunity to observe and improvise on existing models and to introduce changes based on market demands.   

Serialization is the provision of a unique serial number to each saleable unit of a product. This number provides information about the product’s origin, manufacturing, and expiration date and works as an identifier for tracking. Serialization codes are generated either randomly or sequentially.

Serialization is important (and obligatory in most countries), especially in the pharmaceutical industry, as it protects against counterfeit drugs.

Different countries have different regulations for serialization although global GS1 standards are also considered. GS1 is a non -profit organization that develops and maintains global standards for business communication-based in Belgium.

The following elements are required to complete serialization, according to GS1:

GLN and GTIN: GLN stands for the global address of operation and GTIN is the unique complement of the manufacturer’s products around the world.

Serial Number: Numeric or alphanumeric character sequence consisting of up to 20 digits which must be unique for each GTIN.

Lot Information: The same as Batch Number, used to determine the production cycle of the company and expiration date.

In India, the law requires manufacturers to uniquely serialize drug products at the tertiary (case), secondary (saleable unit), and mono-carton packaging levels. Different packaging levels also have different requirements in terms of the data being presented. For instance, at the secondary pack level, the GTIN, batch number, expiration date, and serial number must be encoded in a 2D data matrix or at GS1-128 linear barcode.

As technology progress and regulations become more strict, there will be a shift in packaging design to make packaging fully traceable throughout the distribution chain.  Data management capabilities will also grow rapidly in order to keep up with the need for excessive data collection, processing, and storage.

Active and intelligent elements are being widely added to packaging to increase consumer engagement and safety of the product. One such smart addition to packaging is smart ink.

Smart inks are generally of two types:

THERMOCHROMATIC INKS: They change colour when the temperature increases or decreases. This colour change is reversible and constant.

PHOTOCHROMIC INKS: They change colour on exposure to daylight (UV light). Again, this change this reversible and instantaneous.

These inks are used in packaging to communicate valuable information about the product inside, especially if it is sensitive to temperature changes or should be protected from exposure to light. They can also simply be used to create an eye-catching designs for marketing and branding purposes.

An example of the use of smart inks for packaging include:

COCA-COLA CANS IN TURKEY

A combination of four differently-colored thermochromic inks are used to create bright images when the cans are chilled.

Coors light has also used the same technology for their beer cans.

Some other emerging smart inks are:

CUPROUS OXIDE CONDUCTIVE INKS which are essentially invisible antennas and can be used to track the product using RFID. Other conductive inks are also available in the market based on carbon and silver.

Advancement in technology has also led to the development of “chameleon inks” which change colour based on the specific wavelength they are exposed too.

We expect more creativity in the packaging industry with the help of smart packaging techniques in the coming years.

Environmental consciousness is now a must-have core value for every business and company introducing new products into the market. In such an economy, it is necessary to ponder over the following before beginning the design process of your product:

Raw Materials: Using 100% recycled and/or 100% recyclable material is suggested while considering the energy consumption and waste generation of processing. It is ideal to not introduce new, previously unused materials into the cycle.

Carbon Footprint: Optimizing the production process and supply chain, including transport, to lower the overall carbon footprint of the product.

Circular Economy: Making the product efficiently reusable, thus extending its lifecycle and usability.

Besides considering the environmental impacts of a product, there are many social and economic factors that need to be taken into account to truly make it sustainable and eco-friendly.

It is unrealistic to believe that the vast majority will buy eco-friendly products even if they are significantly more expensive than traditional equivalents.

It is also beside the point to use plant-based materials that use way too much water and require clearing of land to grow crops. These products are equally damaging to the environment as oil-based and single-use alternatives.

Other approaches include:

VALUE ENGINEERING: Less is more. Designing your product with the sole idea of saving money will lead to reduced material use.

CONSUMER ENGAGEMENT: Study your audience and give them what they care about. Most millennials are eco-conscious.

FIFO: “First in, first-out” simply means to use all your existing manufactured products before introducing a new design to the market. This method helps avoid wasteful behaviors. Also, the order in small volumes initially to study the response of your customers before going into full-scale production.  

Round nasal spray bottles with snap-on neck finish 20 mm Sterile, sterilized available. These spray bottles are available for nasal and other applications. These are snap on with 20mm neck. Available full range 10ml to 50ml.

Standard material: HDPE
• Full range from 10 ml to 50 ml
• Also suitable for crimp-on pumps
• Delivered ready-to-fill (sterile) or gamma sterilized
• Officially approved by Aptar Pharma, Nemera and Silgan

Roechling's medical division offers customers a wide range of high-quality, customized components and assemblies, right through to end-to-end OEM products. The product portfolio also includes standard plastic products, with special expertise in the fields of diagnostics, fluid management, pharma, surgery and interventional, and much more. These areas of competence are complemented by an enhanced range of services for development and regulatory affairs, right through to approval of end-to-end medical products.

Pharma | Röchling  EN (roechling.com)
About Packaging Connections | Packaging Products | Key Collabrations of Packaging Industry | Featured Products of Packaging Connections - Packaging Connections 

DO WE KNOW EACH OTHER?

Now that you’re here, let us tell you who we are and how we can help!

Based on the Six Degrees of Separation theory any person on this Earth could be introduced to ANYONE ELSE through a MAXIMUM of SIX mutual connections.

Think about it. Just 6 people between you and your desired contact. This theory applies to both social and professional dynamics.

SO WHERE DOES PACKAGING CONNECTIONS COME INTO PLAY?

In the very concentrated industry of packaging, the network is everything. The appropriate connection can bring you closer to a stronger design, better manufacturing standards, cheaper material and more sustainable product.

RIGHT PERSON, RIGHT PLACE, RIGHT TIME.

This is exactly what Packaging Connections provides. The platform to reach your desired packaging professionals with utmost convenience. With our strong online and offline community and our dedicated support team, we are the only intermediary that you need to contact directly for all things packaging. 

Our growing Linkedin community currently comprises 30,000 packaging experts from around the world. Our Facebook page has an acknowledged viewership of over 45,000. These numbers are strengthened by our unparalleled presence in the industry for 15 years. As industry leaders, we take the responsibility to provide nothing but the best.

We promise to shorten your chain of intermediaries and connect you with the fitting resource in a prompt manner.

TIME EFFICIENT. ONE-STOP SHOP. GLOBAL COMMUNITY.

Make the right choice; choose Packaging Connections as your mutual. 

The Six Degrees of Separation Theory:
https://exploringyourmind.com/the-six-degrees-of-separation-theory/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8j1wX5Nznro

What is Migration?

Migration is the transfer of chemical compounds from plastic packaging materials into food products.

These chemical compounds are usually present in inks and adhesives that travel through the primary packaging material to contaminate the contents. This can be extremely dangerous when the contents are either food or medicines.

Earlier, migration testing was only performed on containers, closures and other packaging components, excluding labels.

How are Low Migration Labels different from regular labels?

Some factor that affects the “low migration” capacity of the label are:

• Printing inks with larger molecule sizes are less likely to migrate.
• Proper UV curing systems ensure lower migration rates. This includes ensuring the absence of oxygen during the curing process.
• Levels of residual solvents and other volatile substances should be at the lowest level possible for water-based and solvent-based ink to lower the rate of migration.

The term “low migration” is used because a minimal amount of migration will always occur in any kind of plastic packaging, no matter the kind of label used. However, if the migration or interaction takes place within an accepted window set by regulatory authorities, the packaging components are deemed safe for use.

Label stock primarily consists of a combination of a face stock, adhesive and label liner. The label adhesive is the component that has the most contact with the packaging and that contains numerous elements with the potential to reach out and cause contamination.

To learn more about Low Migration Label solutions, send us an email at info@packagingconnections.com