IFE Manufacturing checks in with Sian Yates, Editorial Director at Foodbev, to hear about some of the packaging innovations making waves so far this year. 

The food and beverage industry has seen significant progress in sustainable packaging solutions this year. Numerous innovative approaches have emerged, combining environmental responsibility with practicality and visual appeal. Selecting the most impactful innovations was no easy task, but we have identified the top sustainable packaging advancements of 2024 to date.

Coca-Cola trials labelless Sprite bottles in UK

Coca-Cola announced that tit would temporarily remove labels from its Sprite and Sprite Zero on-the-go bottles in the UK this month, in a limited trial of labelless packaging.

The pilot saw labels removed from single 500ml Sprite and Sprite Zero bottles, replaced with an embossed logo on the front of the pack. Laser-engraved product and nutritional information will appear on the back of the bottles.

Consumers will be able to find the new limited design at eight Tesco Express stores in Brighton and Hove, Bristol, London and Manchester between January and March 2024.

Read more here.

Diageo to trial paper-based packaging for Baileys bottles

Diageo has announced a trial of paper-based packaging for Baileys Irish Cream Liqueur in collaboration with PA Consulting, as part of the Bottle Collective with PA and PulPac.

The trial involves a dry moulded fibre bottle, which is 90% paper, featuring a thin plastic liner and a foil seal. The bottle can be recycled in standard paper streams without the need for consumers to separate the plastic liner from the paper bottle when disposing.

Read more here.

Kellanova redesigns Pringles tubes to increase sustainability

Kellanova Europe has redesigned its Pringles packaging, in partnership with Sonoco, by replacing the metal bottom with a paper fibre-based alternative.

The new paper-based tube adheres to the 'Circularity by Design' guidelines from the European fibre-based packaging value chain, specifically the 4Evergreen Alliance. The new paper bottom means that the tubes are accepted in curbside recycling streams across Europe.

Read more here.

Walkers Baked rolls out paper multipack bags to reduce plastic use

Walkers has announced the rollout of new paper outer bags for all Walkers Baked multipacks, set to reduce the brand’s use of virgin plastic on outer packaging by 180 tonnes per year.

The paper outer bag, which is a first for the flexible packaging of savoury snacks in the UK, can be widely recycled at home alongside other paper packaging which is collected at the kerbside. It is also set to lower greenhouse gas emissions of each individual pack.

Read more here.

Heinz and Berry introduce fully recyclable cap for ketchup bottles

Kraft Heinz has collaborated with Berry Global to introduce the first 100% recyclable ketchup cap.

Heinz sauce bottles have previously used a flexible silicone valve, while this aided in the consistency of portion size, the valve made the cap challenging to recycle.

The caps are now a mono-material meaning that they meet the requirements for recyclability.

Read more here.

Upfield unveils plastic-free, recyclable tub for plant butters and spreads

Plant-based food manufacturer Upfield has announced the “world’s first” plastic-free recyclable tub for its plant butters and spreads.

The result of four years of R&D, the new packaging format marks the beginning of Upfield's transition to a paper solution across its portfolio, delivering on its ambition to reduce plastic content by 80% by 2030.

Developed in collaboration with Footprint, MCC and Pagès Group, Upfield aims to replace up to 2 billion plastic tubs by 2030, saving over 25,000 tons of plastic waste per year.

Read more here.

 

Ball Corporation and CavinKare collaborate on sustainable packaging for milkshakes

 

Ball Corporation has partnered with Indian company CavinKare to introduce retort aluminium cans for milkshakes. This collaboration aims to shake up the dairy sector in India by leveraging Ball Corporation's expertise in sustainable packaging.

The new retort two-piece aluminium cans will be used for CavinKare’s milkshake flavours, including Badam, Gulkhand, Rajbog and Rabri, aligning with the growing consumer demand for ready-to-drink beverages.

Read more here.

 

Cox & Co launches paper flow-wrapped chocolate packaging

Premium chocolate brand Cox & Co has launched a paper flow wrap chocolate packaging solution.

The new solution allows the company to eliminate all plastics and offer consumers "a curbside recyclable wrapping," said Cox & Co.

The paper packaging will be used across the brand's three flavours: Mint Crunch, Miso Caramel and Bee Pollen & Honey.

Read more here.