What will the beverage cartons of the future be like? Projects and forecasts

Research is generating continuous innovations, but it is on paper and cardboard that investments are being made because, in reality, they are the most “natural” and healthy way to contain and present food products. The latest innovation was launched by the company SADA Imballaggi: H2OBOX, a corrugated cardboard that seems destined to revolutionize the fresh food market. Also suitable for dairy products, it has proven to be excellent for all frozen food and produce (fruit and vegetables). Waterproof and customizable It is a box that is waterproof on the outside and liquid-tight on the inside, ecological, sustainable, 100% recyclable, and customizable in both shape and graphics. It is easy to assemble and can be delivered flat on pallets, thus occupying reduced space and optimizing transport costs. Furthermore, it has low disposal costs of approximately 4 euros per ton. Research in packaging is often promoted by specialists in luxury packaging, as highlighted by the latest luxury packaging exhibition held recently in New York. Luxury, but ecological, like those made from bamboo leaf (used for centuries in Asia) and sugarcane fiber.

Paper is increasingly at the center of the Food and Beverage sector due to its intrinsic characteristics. This material, in fact, can define a natural, biodegradable and recyclable product. All these features are perfect for cellulose-based packaging to be used in contact with food. In the next paragraphs we will evaluate the consequences related to the use of packaging with respect to food waste, especially given the increase in sales from e-commerce and food delivery. Food waste in a pandemic: the numbers Food waste is still one of the most common problems related to the welfare society. An estimated 3,624,973 tons of food were wasted in 2020. However, despite the boom in e-commerce and food delivery, there is a decrease of 11% nationally, given by Waste Watchers 2021 on the occasion of the eighth day against food waste. The greater awareness has led the consumer to implement strategies that also involve packaging, which today becomes a faithful ally in the fight against waste. Paper and cardboard in the consideration of consumers Paper and cardboard play a fundamental role in the preferences of Italians because they combine safety and sustainability. The Waste Watchers report we cited earlier demonstrated how our fellow citizens have implemented strategies that have helped limit food waste. The situation of uncertainty and the restrictions imposed on circulation have changed spending habits with more prudent and conscious choices, including that of favoring efficient and sustainable packaging. Packaging of paper and cardboard: how innovation allows the transport and storage of food The paper industry sector has always worked to develop innovative products, so that increasingly high-performance solutions can be obtained that offer safety and sustainability performance. This concept led to a study conducted by Comieco, the National Consortium for the Recovery and Recycling of Cellulose-Based Packaging, and by the Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna of Pisa. The study showed that innovative materials such as nanocellulose offer perfect preservation guarantees and a high degree of recyclability. These features allow for great application possibilities. The food packaging scenario, based on the goals achieved, is destined to change and transform itself in an increasingly sustainable and circular perspective. In particular, at the heart of the development of new solutions is the series of products for food delivery. This segment has experienced a boom in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic. This impulse has accelerated already evolving processes and encouraged the realization of new projects. From doggy bags to pizza cartons, passing through food bags, paper and cardboard are confirmed in first place in consumer preferences. According to a study by Two Sides, Packaging in the eyes of the European consumer, 2020, paper and cardboard are confirmed the top choice of European consumers: the latter have declared that they absolutely prefer this material for its sustainability and ease of recycling. CART-ONE, thanks to the experience and know-how consolidated over time, is your trusted partner for the production of customized packaging for the Food sector. Discover our innovative proposals for sustainable cardboard packaging.

Organizing company shipments is a crucial and decisive aspect for any commercial activity that wishes to maintain high performance and ensure an effective logistics chain capable of satisfying its customers. 5 tips for better organizing your company shipments. With the growing demand from e-commerce and the need to send goods in a timely and secure manner, companies must be able to efficiently manage their shipping operations. In this article, we will therefore recommend the best strategies to optimize all shipping operations.   Read also: “What double-wall cardboard sheets are used for'”   Correct and effective management of company orders Company shipments must be planned and managed efficiently to ensure that goods arrive at their destination in a timely, precise manner, and in an optimal condition. This can be achieved through the choice of a reliable shipping provider, the creation of a tracking system to monitor the dispatch of goods, and the establishment of procedures to handle any issues or complaints. Therefore, a company must always be capable of correctly managing large quantities of packages and, consequently, optimizing expenses and shipping mechanisms. Let's now find out 5 valuable tips to better organize company shipments.   Plan the shipment in advance Organizing shipments in advance allows you to avoid potential delays and ensure that your packages arrive at their destination on time. Make sure you have all the necessary information, such as shipping addresses and tracking numbers, before sending everything. Planning shipments means in detail: knowing and confirming the orders that will be processed and fulfilled; sorting the order list; choosing the courier to assign to individual shipments.   Evaluate a reliable shipping service The choice of courier depends on your specific needs. If you need to deliver a package quickly, you might choose an express courier; if instead, you need to transport a bulky load, you might opt for a dedicated transport service. Remember that you should never underestimate this aspect, which is fundamental to ensuring that the transport and handover to the final customer are flawless.   Use shipping management software Shipping management software can help you keep track of your packages and monitor delivery status. Furthermore, it can also help you generate shipping labels and automate invoice generation. Using software therefore allows you to have the entire activity under control, from order receipt and shipment creation to courier selection, label printing, shipment monitoring, and the management of any issues.   Keep in touch with customers Communicate effectively and at all times with customers to inform them about the delivery status of their packages. This is a fundamental practice to ensure their satisfaction. Also, make sure to provide them with the tracking number of the package and to notify them in case of any delays or problems. For this reason, you should always analyze the data collected during shipments: in this way you can improve future shipping processes, for example, statistics on delivery times, shipping costs, and the frequency of any issues.   Customized and quality packaging For every product, its own ad hoc shipping box. There are indeed different types of packaging that can be used for shipments, depending on the type of product being shipped and the transport conditions, for example: double-wall cardboard boxes: particularly resistant for more fragile items and to better maintain rigidity, especially if the boxes are stacked; die-cut paper boxes: for paper products such as books, folders, brochures, documents, CDs, vinyls, and other product types that can be affected by humidity; compliant and certified packaging: which must be approved by the carrier providing the transport, ideal for glass bottles and tin containers that must be arranged inside the box so that they remain immobile and isolated from the bottom and side walls, damping and minimizing impacts.   Always remember that, during transport, goods may be subject to compression, vibrations, or accidental bumps during loading and unloading operations. For this reason, it is necessary to pay attention to the type of box and the protections to be placed inside, in order to improve safety conditions during the transport and sorting of the product. To ensure even more safety for your products, also consider: stretch film: to wrap products and keep them in place inside the box; protective foam: to protect fragile products during transport; polystyrene padding: to fill empty spaces inside the box and protect products during transport; adhesive tape: to close the box and ensure that products remain in place during transport.   In general, it is always important to use adequate packaging to ensure that products arrive at their destination in perfect condition. We hope these tips can help you better organize company shipments. And always remember: “to each their own product, to every need the right performance”. Cart-One offers you packaging capable of ensuring the best performance and a great attention to quality. Discover all our products and contact us for more information or to receive a free quote for your business.   You might also be interested in: “Packaging 2023: all the new packaging developments”