Ecogrip Delivers the sustainable multi-packaging of bottles

Packaging Première 2024, the Milanese event dedicated to the world of packaging, has unveiled a series of innovations destined to revolutionize the way brands interact with consumers. Whether you are a jeweler, a clothing retailer, or a food delivery business, the trends that emerged from this event are essential to remain competitive and offer your customers an unforgettable experience. Packaging Première 2024: the trends that are redefining the future of packaging. Imagine opening a box and discovering a treasure. A sparkling piece of jewelry, a haute couture dress, or even a delicious takeaway dish. Packaging is the first impression, the anticipation of an experience. And at Packaging Première 2024 in Milan, we saw how this experience is about to be revolutionized. From sustainability winning consumers' hearts to minimalist design whispering elegance, from personalization creating unique bonds to technology making packaging smart, all the way to innovative food delivery solutions that bring convenience to a new level. Read also: “How to find the best packaging for your product?” 1. Sustainability: much more than a buzzword Sustainability is no longer an option, but a fundamental requirement for any brand wanting to win consumer trust. At Packaging Première 2024, attention to the environment was evident in every aspect: Eco-friendly materials: recycled cardboard, unbleached kraft paper, and biodegradable plastic have become the norm. The biodegradable "disco bio" case, made with compostable materials, is a clear example of how innovation can go hand in hand with sustainability. Reusable packaging: companies are investing in creative solutions to give new life to packaging. Jewelry cases that transform into elegant storage boxes or shopping bags made of durable fabric are just a few examples of how packaging can become a valuable item for the customer while reducing environmental impact. Circular economy: the concept of "reuse" also extends to materials. Many companies are experimenting with packaging made from production waste, such as cosmetics packaging created with dried orange peels. 2. Minimalist design: the art of simplicity Minimalism continues to dominate the world of design, and packaging is no exception. Clean lines, neutral colors (white, beige, light gray), and essential geometric shapes are the key elements of this trend. Jewelry: in the jewelry sector, minimalist design is particularly effective. A simple and elegant case enhances the beauty of the piece of jewelry without distractions, creating an aura of luxury and refinement. Clothing: in the clothing sector too, minimalist packaging is gaining ground. Kraft paper bags with a logo printed in black, white boxes with embossed details: these are solutions that communicate quality and style without needing excesses. Food delivery: takeaway food can also be presented in an elegant and minimalist way. Recycled cardboard containers with a clean design and essential graphics are an ecological and trendy alternative to classic plastic containers. 3. Personalization: the unique touch that makes the difference Personalization is the key to creating a memorable purchasing experience. At Packaging Première 2024, we saw a wide range of solutions to make every single package unique: Digital printing: digital printing allows you to customize each package with names, initials, special messages, or images. Imagine a jewelry case engraved with the recipient's name or a shopping bag with custom graphics for a special event. Labels and ribbons: adhesive labels with personalized messages, colored ribbons with the brand logo, or wax seals with the customer's initials are details that make the difference. Unboxing experience: opening the package has become a crucial moment in the customer experience. Packaging with surprise openings, layers of colored tissue paper, small gifts, or handwritten notes transform unboxing into an event to be shared on social media. 4. Technology: packaging becomes smart The integration of technology into packaging is opening up new possibilities for brands. Rfid and nfc: these technologies allow products to be tracked throughout the entire supply chain, ensuring authenticity and quality. Furthermore, they can be used to provide additional information to customers via smartphone, such as the history of a piece of jewelry or care instructions for a garment. Smart inks: thermochromic and photochromic inks change color based on temperature or light, creating surprising and interactive visual effects. Imagine a box of chocolates that changes color when opened or a wine label that reveals a secret message when exposed to sunlight. Interactive packaging: packaging can become a true communication tool. QR codes linking to videos, augmented reality animating the boxes, interactive games engaging the customer: the possibilities are endless. 5. Food delivery: packaging that wins over the palate The food delivery sector is continuously growing, and packaging plays a fundamental role in ensuring food quality and freshness, as well as offering a pleasant consumption experience. Compostable containers: containers made from sugarcane, bamboo, or PLA (a type of bioplastic derived from renewable sources) are an ecological alternative to plastic containers. They are resistant, suitable for contact with food, and decompose naturally. Functional design: food delivery packaging must be practical and easy to use. Containers with separate compartments to keep foods divided, airtight lids to prevent leaks, compostable cutlery, and recycled paper napkins are details that make the difference. Branding: food delivery packaging can also be an opportunity to strengthen brand identity. Colors, logo, and eye-catching graphics can transform a simple container into an effective communication vehicle. The future of packaging is already here Packaging Première 2024 has shown that packaging is much more than a simple wrapper. It is a powerful marketing tool, a way to communicate your brand values and create an emotional bond with your customers. Don't wait any longer: contact us for a personalized consultation and discover how the latest trends in packaging can transform your business. See also: “The packaging in the eCommerce strategy: the new frontiers”

Firstly, we want to inform you of the purchase of Industries San Cayetano in the north east of Spain. This company is specialized in single high value packaging made of corrugated board or solid board. Innovative and customized packaging is one of their best strengths. Their products are well known in the fishing and frozen sector, in which they continue to be the market leader. This incorporation will allow us to improve our temperature controlled packaging, especially for the meat, food-processing, wine, fish and frozen sector. This added to the recent launch of the “single pass” digital printer, we are undoubtedly able to satisfy all our customer’s demands and needs. Secondly, the Hinojosa Group, at the end of July, closed the purchase of the paper manufacturing plant, Torrespapel in the north east of Spain. Our goal is to incorporate this as soon as possible in order to make it part of our supply chain of raw materials. To achieve this we will be investing in 40 new jobs. These two incorporations reinforce our strategic plan of a better customer focus as well as an improved integration of our supply chain. As a result, Hinojosa and its eleven plants in Spain is consolidated and is one of the fastest growing companies in Spain. This also reinforces the BBP’s presence in the Spanish territory which allows better service for its customers and at the same time strengthens the relationship with the partners of the alliance. Rubén MartínezManaging Partner of BBP, President of the Hinojosa Group

December 16, 2024, marks a decisive turning point for the packaging sector: the Council formally adopted the new regulation on packaging and packaging waste. This regulatory innovation, detailed in the PPWR special by ItaliaImballaggio, represents the latest evolution for a sector that, throughout its entire lifecycle, is moving towards more responsible and sustainable management.   News on packaging regulations: towards safe, sustainable, and circular packaging. In this article, we will explore the changes introduced, the implications for different application sectors, and the key role that efficient packaging can play in a circular economy strategy. Discover how these rules can transform your business and how Cart-One stands as a strategic partner in this transition.   Read also: “CE marking of machinery: what changes with the EU/2023/1230 regulation”   Safe, sustainable, and recyclable packaging: the new requirements The new regulation provides a series of ambitious targets for 2030 and 2040, aimed at promoting packaging that reduces environmental impact throughout its lifecycle. Among the main requirements are: Recycled content: by 2040, single-use plastic bottles must contain up to 65% recycled material, a key milestone to reduce dependence on virgin raw materials. Weight and volume reduction: the new rules require minimizing both the weight and volume of packaging, eliminating superfluous wrapping and optimizing design to reduce waste. Limitation of hazardous substances: substances of concern will also be reduced, for example by limiting the placement on the market of packaging in contact with food products that contains PFAS above certain thresholds. Labeling and information: requirements regarding labeling and marking aim to make sorting and proper disposal of packaging easier for the consumer, facilitating more conscious purchasing choices.   Restrictions on single-use plastic packaging The regulation introduces specific measures to limit the use of single-use plastic, particularly targeting: Pre-packaged fruit and vegetable products, especially if the weight is less than 1.5 kg. Food and beverages served in hotels, bars, and restaurants, with special attention to individual portions of condiments, sauces, cream, and sugar. Small single-use cosmetic and personal hygiene products typical of the hospitality sector (for example, shampoo bottles or lotions). Ultra-lightweight plastic bags, those often provided in markets for bulk food items. These restrictions are designed to encourage the adoption of alternative materials and drastically reduce the amount of single-use plastic that ends up in landfills.   Reuse targets and refill obligations The regulation sets new binding reuse targets for 2030 and indicative targets for 2040, diversified depending on the type of packaging. For example, for packaging intended for transport and sale, a binding target of 40% is planned, while for grouped packaging the target is set at 10%. Furthermore, businesses operating in the take-away sector will be obliged to offer customers the option of using personal containers, allowing them to be filled with food and beverages at no additional cost. This measure not only favors reuse but also encourages more sustainable consumption behaviors.   The packaging lifecycle and the new regulatory vision Despite progress in recycling, the EU still records high packaging waste production: in 2022, nearly 186.5 kg of waste were generated per inhabitant, with 36 kg from plastic alone. This scenario highlights how the amount of waste exceeds that of recycled material, making an update to the regulatory framework essential. The proposal to revise Directive 94/62/EC, now transformed into a regulation (PPWR), was conceived to promote a transition towards a circular economy and to steer Europe towards climate neutrality. The European Parliament and the Council agreed on their positions and, following a provisional agreement reached on March 4, 2024, the regulation will enter into force 18 months after its publication in the Official Journal of the EU.   The role of Cart-One in the transition towards innovative packaging In this evolving regulatory context, Cart-One confirms itself as a strategic partner for companies wishing to align with the new regulations and adopt cutting-edge packaging solutions. Our solutions offer: Safe and recyclable packaging: we design packaging that guarantees product protection and facilitates recycling, helping to reduce environmental impact. Design optimization: with Cart-One, it is possible to reduce the weight and volume of packaging, improving logistics efficiency and reducing transport and storage costs. Transparency and information: labels and markings compliant with the new standards allow for clear information on recycled content and the packaging lifecycle, making sorting and correct disposal easier for consumers. The new regulation on packaging and waste represents an important regulatory evolution, aimed at transforming the packaging sector into a model of safety, sustainability, and circularity. With ambitious goals and restrictive measures, Europe is charting the course toward a future where every stage of the packaging lifecycle will be optimized to reduce waste and environmental impacts.   Cart-One stands as the ideal partner for companies wishing to make this leap in quality, offering innovative, safe packaging solutions compliant with the new regulations. Are you ready to transform your packaging and lead the change toward a circular economy?   Contact us today to discover how we can help you create packaging that is a true competitive asset for your business.   You might also be interested in: “Food product labeling: what changes with the new MIMIT guidelines”