The packaging industry, like much of the world around us, is making strides to become more sustainable and environmentally friendly. The flexographic printing market is not exempt from these trends and, as printers begin to feel pressure from customers to become more sustainable, it is important to consider how and where to implement these changes.

TC Transcontinental Packaging won the Gold for Sustainability (for a second year in a row), Gold for Packaging Excellence and Silver for Technical Innovation at the recent Flexible Packaging Achievement Awards.

Toray Plastics (America), Inc. has joined the Sustainable Packaging Coalition (SPC), a membership-based collaborative that leverages the power of industry to make packaging more sustainable. 

The second Converters Expo South took place at the Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, on February 5. With more than 80 exhibitors and about 420 on-site attendees, the event marked 50 percent and 10 percent increases in both categories, respectively, from the inaugural show in 2018.

The printing and converting industry for packaging production across labels, flexible packaging, folding carton and corrugated boards is undergoing a massive transformation.

Sustainability and recyclability: What was once a trend in the packaging industry is now a necessity. Consumers are demanding it, brands are establishing ambitious goals and it’s up to the suppliers, equipment manufacturers and everyone else to work together in achieving it all.

How is an online retailer that ships billions of packages each year pushing to reduce packaging waste, minimize product damage and keep customers happy? 

DAVOS, Switzerland, January 24 — A coalition including many of the world’s largest consumer product companies, along with international recycling leader TerraCycle, today unveiled a global, first-of-its-kind, shopping system called Loop. The initiative is designed to change the world’s reliance on single-use packaging, offer a convenient and enhanced circular solution to consumers, while securing meaningful environmental benefits.

Berry Global, NOVA Chemicals, BASF, Dow and Henkel are among more than 25 companies that have joined The Alliance to End Plastic Waste, a new, non-profit organization that aims to partner with the finance community, government and civil society to eliminate environmental plastic waste.

As brand owners in the food space look forward to 2019, several trends could – and should – affect their upcoming packaging decisions.