Lisa McTigue Pierce, Executive Editor

May 2, 2017

4 Min Read
Amazon, Coca-Cola and interpack spring ahead in packaging

The top ecommerce retailer in the U.S., the world’s No.1 beverage company and the largest packaging trade show on the planet all made waves last month with our global packaging community. New technologies for packaging designers at interpack and sustainable packaging strategies at Amazon and Coca-Cola were topics of three out of the five best-read articles on PackagingDigest.com in April 2017, showing there’s good reason the trio leads in packaging.

In reverse order, our top five articles from April 2017 based on page views are:

5. “Ahh…Coke refreshes its sustainable packaging strategy”

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Coke’s bio-based PlantBottle continues its evolution, as the company works on a commercial version of a 100% bio-based recyclable container. In this article, sustainable packaging lead Sarah Dearman gives Packaging Digest a preview of her SustPack 2017 keynote titled “The key role that sourcing plays in Coca-Cola’s new Sustainable Packaging Strategy and advancements in PlantBottle Packaging.”

Dearman cites partnerships with vendors as key to the package’s success. Could this be one of several examples of collaboration that Best Buy procurement manager (and SustPack attendee) Brent Ostrowski references in his video interview?

Next: The top 5 review of March

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Learn what it takes to innovate in the packaging space at PackEx Toronto 2017 (May 16-18; Toronto, Ontario, Canada). Register today!

4. “5 feats of phenomenal packaging insight in March”

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March 2017 generated the highest number of total website page views in (at least) the last three years. We chock it up to record postings of some of the best packaging-related content on earth. You were so enamored with these popular articles on emerging packaging trends from the previous month that this “review” article earned a spot on the “top” list again for April.

In case you missed them the first two times around, we invite you to peruse these gems now:

5. “How to increase recycling of flexible packaging”

4. “The sustainability of ecommerce packaging is in question”

3. “4 snacking trends and their packaging implications”

2. “February flaunts 5 fabulous packaging design developments” (you love reviews of our top articles!)

1. “19 award-winning flexible packages trumpet holistic solutions”

NEXT: On the lookout for new sustainable packaging materials

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Learn what it takes to innovate in the packaging space at PackEx Toronto 2017 (May 16-18; Toronto, Ontario, Canada). Register today!

3. “5 exciting, emerging sustainable packaging materials to watch in 2016”

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Early in 2016, Shane Bertsch, vp of innovation at HAVI Global Solutions (HGS), identified these five packaging materials as ones to watch for their sustainability advances (among other benefits): Sustainable Aqueous Barrier Coatings; Molded Fiber Printing; Light Weight Insulation; Micro-Fibrillated Cellulose (MFC) Specialty Fiber; and Micro-Pattern Material Enhancement.

Looks like you’re still keeping your eyes on his advice, based on the number of page views this article generated last month.

NEXT: Amazon’s amazing, exclusive ecommerce packaging interview

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Learn what it takes to innovate in the packaging space at PackEx Toronto 2017 (May 16-18; Toronto, Ontario, Canada). Register today!

2. “Amazon on creating ecommerce packaging that’s great for all: customers, companies and the environment”

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On April 14, I tweeted, “Tks @amazon for working w/me on exclusive article RE: ecommerce #packaging. Checking this off my bucket list!”

Tough questions provoked thoughtful replies from Brent Nelson, Amazon’s senior manager, worldwide packaging, Customer Packaging Experience (CPEX), on sustainability and heightening the consumer’s experience through packaging. A key takeaway from Nelson: “Our commitment is to drive adoption of right-sized, minimal packaging that protects against damage and is made from environmentally responsible materials.”

But I have to tell you…as good as this article is, the Amazon presentation at SustPack 2017 was better. In my opinion, it was the high point of the conference, which had many standout ideas along with superb networking. If you missed it, you really missed it.

NEXT: Move over Barnum & Bailey, the greatest packaging show on earth hits No.1 status with our global audience

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Learn what it takes to innovate in the packaging space at PackEx Toronto 2017 (May 16-18; Toronto, Ontario, Canada). Register today!

1. “12 new technologies at interpack for packaging designers”

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As I write this, I’m looking at my packed suitcase and anticipating getting another stamp in my passport. I leave tomorrow morning for interpack, the every-three-years packaging tradeshow that fills the 19-building complex at Messe Düsseldorf.

These 12 items—from flexographic ink and a syringe label to new containers and a closure liner—are a mere sliver of the new products and technologies to see in Germany. Stay tuned for more coverage from the event and after it. Follow me on Twitter @lisajmpierce to get updates from interpack as they happen (remember the time difference).

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Learn what it takes to innovate in the packaging space at PackEx Toronto 2017 (May 16-18; Toronto, Ontario, Canada). Register today!

About the Author(s)

Lisa McTigue Pierce

Executive Editor, Packaging Digest

Lisa McTigue Pierce is Executive Editor of Packaging Digest. She’s been a packaging media journalist since 1982 and tracks emerging trends, new technologies, and best practices across a spectrum of markets for the publication’s global community. Reach her at [email protected] or 630-272-1774.

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