Over the course of the two weeks leading up to PACK EXPO International 2016, Food Manufacturing is publishing a number of pieces of show preview content. We had the opportunity to connect with several companies exhibiting at the annual event for a quick look at topics and trends in their segment of the food and beverage processing industry, along with a preview of what products/technologies those companies will have on display at PACK EXPO International.
In this installment, we check in with Tina Hart, Vice President of Marketing for Avery Dennison Label & Packaging Materials, who discusses topics and trends in labeling and packaging, and spotlights what the company will have on display at booth E-8646.
Q. What trends does Avery Dennison see in terms of labeling and packaging for the food and beverage industry?
A. We certainly understand the need for food and beverage manufacturers to ask “How do I make this more profitable?” in every aspect of their operation. Part of that is making sure their products remain fresh while reducing waste. Label and packaging converters can help deliver better margins through new technologies.
For example, flexible packaging is growing exponentially. A study by the Freedonia Group shows that tube and stick packaging is expected to increase by 5.6 percent through 2018. It creates a high level of satisfaction for consumers. It’s easy to use — a one-time “use it and be done” package option. It’s also a great option for the manufacturer — faster production times, short runs for promotional packaging or regional packaging makes it an attractive option.
We’re also seeing the need for better control and record-keeping for temperature-sensitive products. Items that need to remain at or below critical temperatures lead to lost profits and waste if they are exposed to temperature spikes during shipping. New labeling technology, using a smartphone app, can reduce those losses and cut waste significantly.
Q. What do you see as the biggest challenge for labeling in the food and beverage arena?
A. No one likes change, and it can be difficult to take the time to learn about all of the advantages new labeling and packaging options can afford. It’s really part of the product planning process. Manufacturers attending PACK EXPO should take a hard look at what’s new and ask themselves “How can I take advantage of this technology and make a bottom line improvement?” The good news is it’s not something they need to do alone — label and packaging experts and converters can work with manufacturers to help them find the solution that’s right for their particular needs. PACK EXPO is a great opportunity for manufacturers to do that.
Q. What about sustainability? How does that play a role and what is Avery Dennison doing to help food and beverage manufacturers meet sustainability goals?
A. Sustainability remains a major initiative throughout the supply chain. Consumers respond positively to a brand dedicated to sustainability. Questions food manufacturers might ask of their label and packaging suppliers are:
- Is the product responsibly sourced? Or, in other words, is a significant amount of the product’s content verified to come from sustainably sourced materials?
- Does the product offer comparable or superior performance and use less material than what is currently being used?
- Is the product recyclable, made of recycled content or does it enable recycling?
Q. What will Avery Dennison be featuring at PACK EXPO International 2016 for the food and beverage manufacturer?
A. Avery Dennison will feature a variety of new products to help food and beverage manufacturers add to their bottom lines.
Our expanded Stickpak Portfolio provides good-better-best options for a wider range of applications, including a new easy-open, no-notch option that features Stickpak Surlyn 350HB, an easy-to-tear OPS film laminated to a Surlyn sealant and brand new Cello Stickpak Surlyn 300 HB, an easy-tear, bio-based sustainable cellulose face with enhanced printability.
We will also feature TT Sensor Plus, a credit-card sized label that uses the latest temperature data logging technology to provide brand owners the ability to collect data regarding the temperature ranges their goods are subjected to during shipping. These analytics allow them to make decisions regarding whether the item’s quality has been compromised. Data is stored in an embedded near-field communication (NFC) chip powered by a built-in battery. The data is accessible at any point in the journey. A user can simply tap the label with an NFC-enabled Android smartphone or tablet loaded with a free, purpose-built, Avery Dennison app.
