Sustainability, innovation, automation and Industry 4.0 are just a few of the words a packaging professional is likely to hear bandied about each day. Another word you are likely hear is collaboration, which seems to be experiencing growing importance these days.

The Flexible Packaging Association’s (FPA) report, A Holistic View of the Role of Flexible Packaging in a Sustainable World, highlights the sustainability benefits of flexible packaging. FPA commissioned PTIS, LLC to provide a holistic view on sustainability benefits.

While creative labeling through colors, shapes, decorative foil or unique typography can help a brand pop off a shelf, they can also help communicate a brand’s story as it works to capture a consumer’s attention.

Color plays an essential role in brand strategy and recognition and is an intrinsic part of any brand’s “personality.” It tells consumers what a brand stands for, what people can expect from it and can become one of the most recognizable aspects of any brand’s identity.

The Flexible Packaging Association (FPA) created an infographic which illustrates that consumers are conscious about packaging sustainability and showing their appreciation of sustainable packaging at the checkout counter.

Hoffmann Neopac, a global provider of packaging for a broad array of industries and applications, officially has opened its first U.S. facility in Wilson, NC. Focusing on small-diameter tubes, the plant boasts a high-speed tube line as well as space for several additional packaging lines.

Printpack was recognized by Keurig Dr Pepper as its Collaboration Award winner for 2018 at its recent Supplier Collaboration Summit. Printpack received the award for its work on cost savings achieved via a joint Kaizen project.

Tekni-Plex has signed a definitive purchase agreement to acquire three manufacturing facilities from Amcor’s Flexible Packaging business unit. The facilities provide a broad portfolio of medical device packaging substrates.

Transcontinental Inc. has announced the appointment of Thomas Morin as president of TC Transcontinental Packaging. Based in Chicago, Morin will report to François Olivier, president and CEO of the corporation, and he will be part of the executive management committee.

Innovia Films is launching the first of its new range of transparent high-barrier packaging films, Propafilm Strata SL. It has been designed to be a standalone mono filmic solution or for use in laminate constructions that are recyclable.

Bobst’s Centre of Excellence for High Barrier in Manchester, UK, which enables research to be carried out on new barrier solutions for the packaging industry, has added an AlOx-optimized CO 750 coating line to its Competence Center.

The Paxiom Group, a leader in turnkey packaging automation, announced the purchase of its second facility in Las Vegas, NV, which is now home to Paxiom Automation Inc.

GEA has launched two innovations in vertical packaging to help meat and poultry manufacturers increase uptime. The SmartPacker CX400 packaging machine, available in both sanitary and standard configurations, is equipped with induction sealing capabilities that reduce changeover times to less than two minutes.

Vetaphone, a manufacturer of corona and plasma surface treatment technology, has added a web cleaner to its portfolio of products for narrow web converters. The new unit, which can be single- or double-sided, is available in four standard web widths.

Rapak North America, part of DS Smith Plastics, expands its Autokap 600 series filling machine offering by creating a bag-in-box filler designed to safely handle the filling of alcohol spirits. When packaging wine or alcohol, vapors could escape during the filling process and create a fire or explosive hazard.