In the world of converting, companies come and go, while mergers and acquisitions happen often. In other words, change happens frequently as converters strive to expand their businesses.

If converters feel gobsmacked by the pace of change in today’s packaging world, they should get ready to shift into overdrive. A recent study cites five major trends that will force major changes that raise the performance bar over the next decade.

As you dig into labeling options for your product container, you’ll see one term pop up again and again: BOPP. It stands for biaxially oriented polypropylene, and it’s an incredibly popular label material.

As consumers embrace the ease and convenience of buying online, demand for flexible packaging continues to charge ahead at double-digit growth rates. Figuring out how to meet that demand can place considerable strain on warehouse and operations managers trying to find the right mix of human and capital resources needed to keep pace.

Sustainability has become a topic that no one can or should ignore. But this is not a new issue. From a packaging perspective, there has long been a drive to design and introduce materials and structures that are kinder to our planet.

Sustainability is top of mind for packaging suppliers and brands alike. As consumer demand for green options continues to increase, CPGs also face pressures from emerging regulations pertaining to certain packaging materials and waste.

Whether you’re launching a new product or trying to invigorate an established product line, choosing stand-up pouches for your packaging can be a game changer.

BOBST has launched the VISION CI flexo press, designed to deliver the most efficient performance for all production lengths on a wide range of substrates. Fast to setup and change over, it features technical innovations that ensure process consistency, minimum waste and easy manufacturing.

SCREEN Americas has finalized development of its new Truepress Jet L350UV SAI inkjet system for label printing. The press features improved color reproduction as well as superior scalability, enabling it to meet a wide variety of market needs.

Schreiner ProTech, a German manufacturer of functional labels for the automotive and engineering-based industries, has developed three labeling solutions for one company’s bike drive systems.

NOVA Chemicals Corp., a leading supplier of polyethylene, has introduced a suite of recycle-ready octene and butene LLDPE resins for packaging applications.

Precise Packaging, a contract manufacturing partner of aerosol and liquid products for premier brands in the personal care, home fragrance and over-the-counter (OTC) end markets, announced that it has opened a new 15,000 square-foot production facility.

When TIDI Products, a medical products supplier in Neenah, WI, needed a custom corona treating solution, they chose Enercon Industries Corp. The challenge involved replacing an old two-sided treater on a 1600mm LDPE blown film line, and moving the location of treatment for better access by their operators.

To meet rapidly increasing demand for its water-soluble and biodegradable films, Kuraray’s MonoSol Division has announced plans to expand its operations with the construction of a new manufacturing facility in Poland.

FPA continues its review of the 2019 report within this issue of the FPA Update. This month, the “Imports & Exports” and “Industry Challenges/Vision” sections of the report are highlighted.

H2 Equity Partners, based in Amsterdam, has agreed to acquire Contiweb from American Industrial Partners. Contiweb is a manufacturer of auxiliary equipment for offset printing and provides global aftermarket sales and services for a large number of installed machines.

During the recent FPA Fall Executive Conference, IHS Markit, provided an update on the polypropylene market.

ePac, a digital flexible packaging leader, announced a significant expansion in which it will roll out a new wave of 24 HP Indigo 20000 digital presses in 2020

Hot water-soluble laundry bags, made from Aquapak polymer have been launched by Australian distributor, DB Packaging.

Intelligent labels — applicable in product categories such as beauty, food, grocery, beverage or apparel — are providing never-before seen connectivity for consumers and supply chain segments.

The global Biaxially Oriented Polypropylene (BOPP) film market has seen demand grow by just under 5 percent per annum over the last five years. The main driver of growth has been the demand for flexible packaging, particularly in China and South East Asia, according to Wood Mackenzie’s latest ‘BOPP Film Global Supply Demand Report’.