Packaging & Packing Materials, Containers

Craft beverage equipment suppliers merge in $100m deal to create ‘one-stop-shop’

20-Apr-2023 By Rachel Arthur

Lotus Beverage Alliance, a collective of six US craft beverage equipment manufacturing companies, has officially launched as a company.

Six months after legalization, Canada’s cannabis edibles market is stalled: ‘We’re just at the beginning of professionalizing this industry’

03-Apr-2020 By Beth Newhart

The cannabis drug was federally legalized in Canada in 2018, and edibles in 2019, but the market has so far been slow to take off. Brands struggle with product preservation and are looking for more guidance from Health Canada.

‘We are working to ensure packaging doesn’t become waste’: Coca-Cola, Nestlé, PepsiCo and Unilever hit back after damning plastics report

31-Mar-2020 By Oliver Morrison

Coca-Cola, Nestlé, PepsiCo and Unilever have reiterated their commitments to a creating a circular economy after a report said their plastic waste was contributing to climate change and harming the health of the world’s poorest people.

'We're more than the Fancy Food Show as a community'

30-Mar-2020 By Beth Newhart

The Specialty Food Association's (SFA) Summer Fancy Food Show is scheduled to take place in June in New York City: but its location - the Javits Center in Manhattan - is currently being converted into a makeshift hospital.

Beverage gives back: How brands are helping out during the coronavirus crisis

25-Mar-2020 By Beth Newhart and Rachel Arthur

As the coronavirus outbreak continues to spread, beverage brands are donating their money, time and products to keep their communities afloat in uncertain times. Here's just some of the initiatives that have emerged this week.

RISE Brewing Co. explores how to drive growth, support partners & underemployed during COVID-19

23-Mar-2020 By Elizabeth Crawford

Staying true to its mission to “find people where they are in the daytime,” RISE Brewing Co. is pivoting from distributing its nitro infused cold brew coffee in offices and at events to reach people instead in their homes as more Americans practice social...

Food & manufacturing companies in Europe face many challenges from the impacts of the coronavirus

20-Mar-2020 By Jenny Eagle

As the coronavirus crisis deepens, Bo Zhou, CEO, FuturMaster, a supply chain planning software vendor, speaks out about the impact of the virus outbreak and how companies can anticipate and react to the crisis.

Redesigned cans and RTDs hope to attract a wider audience to illy

19-Mar-2020 By Beth Newhart

New ready-to-drink cold brew from Italian coffee company illy was set to debut at Expo West this month. But despite the cancellation, plans are moving forward with the hopes of attracting younger customers to the upscale brand.

UK plastics tax a ‘real boost’ for circular economy

19-Mar-2020 By Oliver Morrison

Is the plastic pollution the responsibility of the food and beverage industry, or the recycling industry? Sustainability experts at Bureau Veritas weigh in.

Gojai's organic, caffeinated seltzer looks to dominate soda alternatives

19-Mar-2020 By Beth Newhart

A new sparkling water startup has hit the market in southern California. Gojai promises ‘clean, green, organic caffeine’ in every can, made with advanced reverse osmosis triple filtration.

How are beverage brands coping in the face of COVID-19?

19-Mar-2020 By Beth Newhart

Amid quarantines, lockdowns and cancellations, beverage companies are doing what they can to stay afloat as well as help out in the community. We round-up the latest news from brands dealing with the crisis.

Elmhurst enters crowded RTD latte category and teases smoothie bases

17-Mar-2020 By Beth Newhart

Plant-based milk alternative brand Elmhurst 1925 had big plans for Natural Products Expo West before its postponement earlier this month. However, its oat-based single serves, lattes and creamers will still launch in the US on schedule.

Clover Sonoma debuts fully renewable plant-based milk carton

16-Mar-2020 By Beth Newhart

California-based dairy Clover Sonoma is making sustainability strides with the launch of a new milk carton made entirely from plant materials. It’s one of the first of its kind in the US and will hit shelves this summer.

Swedish pea drinks make North American debut

16-Mar-2020 By Beth Newhart

Following the worldwide success of oat drinks from Sweden, beverage company Sproud is looking to make peas the next big milk alternative protein source. After the postponement of Natural Products Expo West, it hits the North American market next month.

Coronavirus concern cancels next month’s Craft Brewers Conference

16-Mar-2020 By Beth Newhart

Five weeks ahead of the start date, the Brewers Association has canceled the 2020 Craft Brewers Conference and World Beer Cup events, that were set to take place in San Antonio, Texas.

COVID-19: Expo West canceled as New Hope shifts focus to Expo East

13-Mar-2020 By Elaine Watson

In an announcement that will not likely surprise many stakeholders, New Hope has decided to cancel (rather than postpone) the Natural Products Expo West trade show in Anaheim and focus its attention on Expo East in Philadelphia (Sept. 23-26).

Oatly: 'Broad scale out of stocks and sustained capacity challenges are largely behind us'

13-Mar-2020 By Elaine Watson

While the US oatmilk category is still in its infancy, it’s growing at an explosive rate,* says Oatly, the Swedish brand seeking to take the US market by storm. But can it keep up with demand?

Industry ‘disappointed’ after UK ‘penalising’ plastics tax confirmed

12-Mar-2020 By Oliver Morrison

The Food and Drink Federation has complained that the UK’s newly announced plastic tax will penalise food and beverage producers and called for efforts to instead improve the country’s recycling infrastructure.

Nestlé signs European Plastics Pact

06-Mar-2020 By Jenny Eagle

Nestlé has signed the European Plastics Pact, to make 100% of its packaging recyclable or reusable and reduce its use of virgin plastics by one third by 2025.

Plastic vs plastic: Which packaging is best?

06-Mar-2020 By Beth Newhart

The fight against ‘single use plastic’ has beverage brands evolving their packaging and even switching to glass and aluminum. But not all plastic bottles are created equal, and brands are testing a range of options.

Water bottle made from 100% plant materials hits the Middle East

06-Mar-2020 By Beth Newhart

The Al Ain Plant Bottle from Agthia Group PJSC is the region's first plant-based water bottle. It is biodegradable and compostable within 80 days and is part of the company’s broader sustainability initiatives.

Bevi cuts 150 million bottles and cans from the workplace

05-Mar-2020 By Beth Newhart

Complimentary workplace snacks and beverages are now a relatively common practice for US employers, but the mounting costs and environmental drawbacks have offices turning more to eco-friendly drink systems like Bevi.

Hitting the road: Cold brew culture goes national

05-Mar-2020 By Beth Newhart

A multiple-city industry tour kicked off last week to promote cold brew coffee innovation in the US, featuring education from coffee roasters, beverage brands and cafes.

DS Smith opens first US recycling facility, as part of zero cardboard goal

05-Mar-2020 By Jenny Eagle

DS Smith has opened its first recycling facility in the US, as part of its North America business expansion plan.

Expo West postponed over coronavirus fears, new date to be announced by mid-April

03-Mar-2020 By Beth Newhart

New Hope’s Natural Products Expo West tradeshow was postponed due to coronavirus fears on Monday night, just hours before the first events were set to kick off on Tuesday. More than 80,000 people were initially expected to attend.

Graphic Packaging invests €20m in facility expansion to meet demand for sustainable packaging

26-Feb-2020 By Jenny Eagle

Graphic Packaging International (GPI) has expanded its Sneek manufacturing site in The Netherlands as part of a €20m investment to meet increased demand for sustainable packaging.

Craft vodka bets on uncommon flavors: jalapeno, mint and pickle

25-Feb-2020 By Beth Newhart

In a sea of US craft distilleries perfecting bourbon, scotch and tequila, Holla Spirits is turning its attention to vodka. Rare savory ingredients like jalapenos and pickle brine are taking a stab at reinventing the category.

US breweries tackle climate change by keeping operations local

13-Feb-2020 By Beth Newhart

Wolf’s Ridge Brewing in Ohio has been setting a sustainability precedent for independent craft beer brands. Managing waste through composting has been their biggest success and advice to their fellow brewers.

Carlsberg’s craft and alcohol-free portfolios look to continue growth in 2020

13-Feb-2020 By Beth Newhart

Carlsberg's alcohol-free brews increased 7% in volume in 2019. Craft brands also delivered well with a 16% jump, against a backdrop of core beer falling 1%.

Reformatting IPAs for the masses: small sizes win big

13-Feb-2020 By Beth Newhart

In the face of health and wellness concerns and low-to-no alcohol trends, craft brewers of heavy, boozy beer are rethinking their methods. Line extensions and new packaging formats are the advice of Massachusetts-based Night Shift Brewing.

AIPIA cancels China Summit amid concerns over Coronavirus

06-Feb-2020 By Jenny Eagle

AIPIA, the Active & Intelligent Packaging Industry Association has announced it is postponing its China Summit, due to be held in Shanghai in April, due to concerns about Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in China and many other regions.

Beer and seltzer dominate ads and consumption for Super Bowl LIV

05-Feb-2020 By Beth Newhart

Million-dollar commercials, glitzy halftime performances and a championship football game all come together in one of alcohol’s biggest holidays of the year. Every year, Americans prepare for Super Bowl Sunday with more than $2bn in booze sales.

Perrier invests in 3 start-ups who could change the future of packaging

05-Feb-2020 By Jenny Eagle

Perrier has partnered with SoScience, which connects people from the worlds of Science, Innovation and Technology, to support three start-ups who have the potential to change the future of packaging.

Nestlé launches second product in recyclable paper packaging as part of its 2025 plastic waste pledge

29-Jan-2020 By Jenny Eagle

Nestlé has launched its second product in recyclable paper packaging, as part of its commitment to make 100% of its packaging recyclable or reusable by 2025.

DS Smith opens Box Manufacturing Plant to produce more sustainable boxes

27-Jan-2020 By Jenny Eagle

DS Smith has opened a Box Manufacturing Plant in Lebanon, Indiana, creating 170 jobs, to meet a growing demand for more sustainable packaging and a reduction of shipping costs across the US.

Numi Organic Tea rebrands, moves more into health and function

27-Jan-2020 By Beth Newhart

US organic tea brand Numi debuted a branding refresh at the Winter Fancy Food Show in San Francisco last week, alongside new functional sleep teas and premium drinking chocolates.

Jelly Belly seltzers draw flavor inspiration from candy beans

21-Jan-2020 By Beth Newhart

The Joffer family, original founders of the Jelly Belly Candy Company, has launched a line of Jelly Belly Sparkling Waters under the new Joffer Beverage Company in the US.

Sustainability

Nestlé to take ‘bold steps to create a wider market for food-grade recycled plastics’

20-Jan-2020 By Jenny Eagle

Nestlé will invest up to CHF 2bn to create a wider market for food-grade recycled plastics and will reduce its use of virgin plastics by one third as part of efforts to make 100% of its packaging recyclable or reusable by 2025.

Pabst's new 'luxury' beer brand launches Seabird IPA

16-Jan-2020 By Beth Newhart

The Pabst Brewing Company (PBC), best known for its Pabst Blue Ribbon (PBR) beer, is launching a new IPA. The Seabird beer is exclusive to the midwestern US region.

Single-serve sake expands minis market in US, Australia

14-Jan-2020 By Beth Newhart

Sake originated in Japan and is made alcoholic from fermented rice. Hiro Sake wants to make the trend portable and accessible with smaller, on-the-go portions.

New Mill Capital holds online auction after acquiring Ardagh glass bottling plant

07-Jan-2020 By Jenny Eagle

New Mill Capital, a national asset acquisition and disposition firm has acquired Ardagh Group’s Lincoln, Illinois glass bottling facility as a turnkey operation.

Canpack to customize product branding on the top of a can

06-Jan-2020 By Jenny Eagle

Canpack, metal packaging manufacturer, has enhanced its product portfolio with a design that integrates product branding on the top of a can.

Dobra Berbas partners with Rapak on Bag-In-Box mulled wine

16-Dec-2019 By Jenny Eagle

Croatian winery, Dobra Berba, has partnered with Rapak to create a Bag-In-Box packaging for mulled wine.

Craft beer navigated a 'competitive and maturing' beverage market in 2019

13-Dec-2019 By Beth Newhart

Zero-proof and low-ABV drinks are on the rise, but traditional craft beer is still tracking growth. The Brewers Association (BA) has industry highlights from the year, including a record 8,000 breweries operating in the US.

‘Breakthrough innovation’ rankings reward seltzers, coffee and energy

11-Dec-2019 By Beth Newhart

Nielsen’s annual Top 25 Breakthrough Innovation awards whittled down 45,000 CPG products and singled out five US beverages. Products from PepsiCo and Coca-Cola were among those gaining top honors; alongside hard seltzer success story White Claw.

BINA installs flexible shrink-wrapping line for square and round bottles

10-Dec-2019 By Jenny Eagle

Bischofszell Nahrungsmittel (BINA), part of Swiss M-Industry (Migros Group) has installed a Sidel flexible shrink wrapping line for its square and round bottles.

Stora Enso to build €9m pilot plant for bio-based plastic packaging

10-Dec-2019 By Jenny Eagle

Stora Enso will build a €9m pilot facility to produce bio-based plastics as a barrier in transparent packaging, with construction starting in the second half of 2020, with operations beginning in Q1 2021.

Berlin Packaging completes Novio Packaging Group acquisition

09-Dec-2019 By Jenny Eagle

Berlin Packaging has completed its acquisition of Novio Packaging Group, a Netherlands-based supplier of plastic packaging.

'Premium level' RTD shots find new footing on-premise in Japan

06-Dec-2019 By Beth Newhart

New York-based LIQS Cocktail Shots is taking its growth international with November’s launch into Japan. Its lines of liquor-based and wine-based shots build their audience first on-premise at concerts, stadiums and festivals.

The ‘Keurig for cocktails’ teams up with big brands for personalized signature drinks

06-Dec-2019 By Beth Newhart

A new partnership with spirits and wine company Brown-Forman will bring classic liquors like Jack Daniels, Herradura and Chambord to the Drinkworks pod system in 2020, furthering at-home cocktail personalization.