General Mills seeks material/equipment packaging solutions

Lisa McTigue Pierce, Executive Editor

January 30, 2014

2 Min Read
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General Mills seeks material/equipment packaging solutions

 

In the month of November 2010, General Mills posted four new packaging challenges on the General Mills Worldwide Innovation Network (G-WIN), its open-innovation website that invites scientists, researchers, engineers, individuals and companies to submit their ideas.

 

Three of the four needs involve developing new materials that have a positive impact on the packaging line.

 

  • Package or packaging process with low residual oxygen without sacrificing equipment speedsTypically, packaging with low residual oxygen requires either slow line speeds in a horizontal form/fill/seal format or additional scavengers to achieve and maintain low residual oxygen. We are looking for solutions that provide increased throughput and efficiencies to eliminate the need for extra steps or extra components.

  • Reduction in packaging material, such as cartonsTypically, individual units are produced, packaged and then inserted into a secondary container, such as a carton. These cartons provide grocery stores with easy stocking of shelves, good appearance and easily found by consumers. A breakthrough in technology would allow combining individual units into groups that reduce or eliminate the need for the secondary container while still meeting the needs of the grocery store.

  • Package printing online to provide multi-color, detailed graphics on packaging film or cartonsTypically, printing of generic packaging can be used for simple differentiation (1 color, minimal text). We are looking for technology that allows for creating multicolor, detailed product-specific packaging online on packaging film or cartons.

  • Alternative materials to polyethylene-coated paperboard for food contact packaging in freezer environmentSeeking a novel technology, advancement or unique existing application enabling use of materials in a direct food contact, freezer environment (0 deg F or lower) that are an alternative to polyethylene-coated paperboard while maintaining strength.

 

More details for each project and idea submission guidelines are at G-WIN. They say they provide a status update on submissions within about three weeks.

About the Author

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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