Graphic Packaging / Packaging Solutions for Inspired Packaging Fri, 21 Aug 2026 11:18:25 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.4 /custom-content/uploads/2023/04/icon-collection-test-r2.svg Graphic Packaging / 32 32 From Protection to Performance: The New Role of Beverage Secondary Packaging /resources/from-protection-to-performance-the-new-role-of-beverage-secondary-packaging/ Fri, 14 Aug 2026 13:18:38 +0000 /?p=25290 Explore how secondary packaging is becoming a strategic tool for beverage brands, supporting efficiency, convenience, differentiation, circularity and consumer connection.

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Beverage machinery hero

From Protection to Performance: The New Role of Beverage Secondary Packaging

From Protection to Performance: The New Role of Beverage Secondary Packaging

Secondary packaging has moved far beyond its traditional role as a protective outer layer. In today Vlog ’s beverage market, secondary packaging now acts as a strategic driver: a visible expression of brand intent that can help reduce material impact, improve shopper convenience, support operational performance and create a more connected consumer experience. As sustainability expectations, retail pressures and changing consumption habits converge, the most effective secondary packaging is no longer simply fit for purpose. It is designed to do more. 

Graphic illustrates secondary packaging as a strategic driver, as explained in the opening paragraph

1. Flexibility is becoming a competitive advantage

As beverage portfolios expand and SKU variety grows, flexibility is becoming a more important packaging requirement. Brands need secondary beverage packaging that can accommodate different product counts,formatsand pack configurations, while still supporting efficient production and strong shelf impact.

This is whyrenovation is often replacingreinvention. Instead of inventing completely new systems, numerous drink brands are updating tried-and-true packaging styles by enhancing their structure, using better materials, and boosting their visual appeal. Rounded corners, cleanersilhouettesand simplified structures can make a pack feel more premium, while still working within current equipment and production footprints.

Paperboard solutions offer clear advantages in this context, combining structural versatility with high-quality print to support personalization, promotional messaging, shorter runs,varietypacksand customer-specific activity.
By providing brands with more flexibility within a known material framework, they can better balance efficient operations with the need to keep their portfolios current, relevant, and aligned with shifting consumer expectations.

The QuikFlex™ 2100G4 delivers greater carton design freedom for fully enclosed cartons, enabling faster, simpler changeovers, and removing the need to plan pack styles too far ahead. Supports 4- to 30-pack configurations.

  • Growing SKU variety is increasing the need for adaptable secondary packaging. 
  • Small structural changes can refresh proven formats without major operational change. 
  • Paperboard can support personalization, seasonal activity and multiple pack configurations. 

2. Convenience remains a powerful consumer cue

While sustainability may dominate the industry agenda, convenience continues to shape consumer preference. Shoppers want packs that are easy to identify, pick up, carry, open, store and use. Integrated handles, intuitive openings, fridge-ready formats and at-home dispensing features are becoming valuable ways to improve the everyday experience. 

Changing consumption habits are also influencing pack design. Smaller can sizes, mini formats and compact multipacks reflect growing demand for moderation, portion control and lifestyle flexibility. At the same time, economic pressure is encouraging interest in bulk packs and variety formats, giving consumers value and choice without locking them into a single flavor or product. 

Protection and hygiene remain part of the equation too. Partial or full enclosure can help shield can tops and bottle caps, while also giving brands a larger canvas for communication, graphics and promotional storytelling.

Image shows the FridgeVendor pack
Image shows both large and smaller packs
Image shows KeelClip, covering the cans for enhanced hygeine

Fridge Vendor™ delivers great convenience

From clips to fully enclosed cartons, 2-packs to 48-packs

KeelClip™ covers can tops, enhancing hygiene while delivering brand impact

  • Convenience influences everything from handling to storage and at-home use. 
  • Smaller formats and bulk packs are both gaining relevance for different need states. 
  • Enclosed formats can support hygiene, protection and brand storytelling. 

3. Material cost is only part of the story

Selecting the right secondary packaging starts with a clear understanding of how the product will be packed, moved, sold and used  Vlog — and where cost is created across that journey.  

That Vlog ’s why total cost of ownership is becoming central to packaging decisions. Material cost is only one factor. Producers also need to consider line efficiency, machinery flexibility, logistics, supply chain resilience, specialist support and training and end-of-life performance in terms of carbon impact.

These factors can all influence overall cost, which is why early collaboration with packaging partners is so important: it can help optimize design, reduce excess material, improve operational efficiency and identify where alternative formats may deliver better results. 

Material cost is only one factor. Producers also need to consider line efficiency, machinery flexibility, logistics, supply chain resilience, local support and end-of-life performance.
  • Material cost is only one part of the total cost equation. 
  • Line efficiency, logistics, machinery flexibility and supply resilience can all influence overall cost. 
  • Early collaboration can help reduce waste, improve efficiency and identify better-value formats. 
4. Brand impact doesn’t end at the shelf 

Even when beverage packs are not selected from a physical shelf, their visual and functional impact still matters. Click and collect, delivery and digitally influenced shopping journeys can reduce the moment of in-store comparison, but they do not reduce the role of packaging in shaping perception. A high-impact secondary pack can reassure consumers at collection, support brand recognition at handover and create a stronger experience when the product reaches the home. 

In these moments, packaging needs to work harder as a brand cue. Strong graphics, clear messaging and quality print can help a pack feel considered and distinctive, even when the purchase decision has already happened online. For beverage brands, this means secondary packaging must be designed not only for shelf standout, but for every point where the consumer sees, handles or shares the product. 

  • Click and collect still requires strong brand impact beyond the shelf. 
  • Packaging can reassure consumers at collection, handover and at home. 
  • Strong graphics and print quality help packs remain distinctive after online purchase. 
5. Packaging is a consumer engagement platform 

Secondary packaging is often one of the first branded touchpoints a consumer sees. Increasingly, brands are using it not only to protect and promote the product, but to create richer interaction. Accessible features such as braille can broaden usability, while augmented reality, QR codes and NFC technologies can connect the physical pack to digital content, loyalty programs, traceability information or brand experiences. 

For example, Graphic Packaging Vlog ’s work with used paperboard multipacks with unique QR codes printed inside the pack, supporting traceability while linking consumers to Club BERO, the brand Vlog ’s loyalty program. It demonstrates how secondary packaging can become a bridge between shelf impact, practical performance and ongoing engagement. 

  • Secondary packaging can connect physical packs to digital brand experiences. 
  • Accessible features and smart technologies can broaden usability and engagement. 
  • Our work with BERO shows how packaging can support traceability, loyalty and brand connection. 

6. Circularity is reshaping the brief

For beverage producers, the circularity conversation is becoming more sophisticated. The shift away from plastic shrink film and rings towards paperboard alternatives remains important, but it is not happening at one pace everywhere. Regulation, infrastructure and category economics all influence how quickly brands can transition. 

As a result, many companies are taking a more strategic route: reducing material use, lightweighting packs and improving designs to lower overall carbon footprint. This broader view recognizes that sustainable packaging is not defined by a single claim. Recyclability, renewable inputs, material efficiency, carbon impact and circularity all need to be considered together. 

That approach is expanding the range of beverage multipack formats available, from wrap and clip-style solutions to basket carriers and fully enclosed cartons. The benefit is flexibility: brands can choose structures that align sustainability ambitions with cost, performance, retail requirements and production realities. 

Image shows a variety of multipacks formats
  • Sustainability is now broader than material substitution alone. 
  • Brands must balance recyclability, carbon impact, circularity and cost. 
  • Format choice is expanding as brands look for practical, scalable alternatives. 

A more demanding role for secondary packaging 

The future of beverage secondary packaging will be defined by balance across the full packaging journey. Brands require solutions that enhance production efficiency, maintain performance during distribution, make a strong impact and are easy to use in retail settings, increase convenience in the home, and support circularity at the end of a product’s life. Successful companies will be the ones that see secondary packaging as a strategic tool right from the beginning. This approach can cut down unnecessary costs and complexity, while also boosting brand value, enhancing the consumer experience, and promoting a more circular economy.

Want to learn more? Contact us today and connect with a member of our expert team.

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Smarter Cartons, Safer Medicines: The Power of Secondary Packaging /resources/beyond-the-box-smarter-cartons-safer-medicines/ Fri, 14 Aug 2026 09:54:18 +0000 /?p=25351 Discover how smart secondary paperboard packaging helps protect medicines from counterfeiting, tampering and theft through security features and digital traceability.

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Cupboard with medicines in drugstore

Smarter Cartons, Safer Medicines: The Power of Secondary Packaging

Smarter Cartons, Safer Medicines: The Power of Secondary Packaging

Standardized processes and comprehensive regulations shape every stage of the pharmaceutical and medical industry, from product development and testing to launch and reporting. At the heart of these requirements is one clear priority: delivering products that are safe for patients and support their health journey. Yet headlines such as INTERPOL Vlog ’s Vlog “ Vlog ” show that criminal activity remains a real threat. 

Secondary packaging can act as a frontline defense against supply chain threats, including counterfeiting, tampering and theft. Paperboard is an ideal canvas for security because it is highly customizable, structurally versatile and is able to integrate both digital and physical security features seamlessly. 

1. Counterfeit Protection: Layering Visible and Hidden Security

Counterfeit medicines pose a serious threat to patient safety and can put lives at risk. The simpler the packaging design, the easier it may be to copy, allowing fake medicines to be introduced into legitimate pharmacies. To help prevent this, secondary packaging can combine overt visible features with covert hidden protection.

Person, pharmacist and hands scanning box in price check, inventory or inspection on medication at pharmacy
Beautiful Senior Woman Walking Between aisles and Shelves with Medicine, Choosing to Buy Medicine

Overt features: Security you can see 

Overt features allow pharmacists, clinicians and consumers to quickly check whether a product is genuine.

Holographic foils and color-shifting inks change appearance depending on the viewing angle and require specialized, capital-intensive machinery to print, making them difficult for low-level counterfeiters to replicate.

Security lines and micro text add another visible layer, using fine detail and high-quality paperboard printing that is hard to copy without the right technology and expertise. 

Covert features: Protection beneath the surface

If a counterfeiter manages to replicate the outer appearance of a carton, covert features provide a secondary measure that only manufacturers or inspectors can detect.

Bespoke designs can be applied using invisible pigments or fluorescent inks, creating a unique signature when scanned with a specific UV light or laser at a distribution center or pharmacy.

Microscopic designs can also be introduced into the varnish of the packaging, remaining invisible to both the eye and touch while allowing a bespoke app to verify whether the pack surface has been manipulated.

2. Tamper Evidence: Making Interference Visible 

Tampering involves opening a package to alter, dilute or replace the product inside. Once a healthcare product leaves a controlled facility, secondary packaging must show if it has been compromised during transit. The Falsified Medicines Directive in Europe, alongside global regulations, heavily mandates these features. 

Fiber-tear glues: damage that cannot be hidden

The behavior of paperboard when torn offers an advantage. Fiber-tear glues ensure that if someone tries to pull open a sealed carton flap, the paperboard fibers visibly rip apart and cause irreversible structural damage. Gluing the packaging closure is the most common solution to ensure tamper evidence. 

In combination with a glued closure, perforation patterns can be included.

Tamper Evident Finishing Concepts

Perforations and locks: designed to reveal opening

To open the box, the seal must be structurally broken along a specific line, leaving visible evidence of opening and rendering the original box unusable for a second lifecycle. Alternatively, packaging engineers can design integrated locking tabs so that once the carton is machine-sealed at the factory, opening it requires breaking an internal paperboard mechanism. Some concepts also include additional visible markers that indicate if a product has been tampered with, such as tags that switch from green to red. 

3. Theft and Diversion: Connecting Packaging to Digital Traceability 

Theft can lead to product diversion, where genuine, stolen medical products are illegally resold in different markets or stored in unverified environments that compromise their efficacy. Paperboard helps bridge physical security and digital intelligence.  

Unique coding: following each carton through the supply chain

To comply with country-specific regulations across Europe, China and the US, every paperboard carton must feature a unique, serialized code, such as a 2D DataMatrix barcode. Unlike a generic barcode found on grocery items, this unique identifier tracks that specific box through every handling point. When a box is scanned at shipping, arrives at wholesale or is dispensed at a pharmacy, its exact journey is logged.

Cartons showing serialization techniques
RFID Chip

RFID and NFC: scanning at speed

RFID and NFC tags or labels are applied to each folding box in the gluing process. This allows logistics teams to have precise visibility of entire pallets of medication in real-time without opening boxes, verifying that no items have gone missing along the supply chain. They can also function as anti-theft tags, triggering a signal if someone attempts to steal products from a pharmacy or retail store. 

Conclusion: Packaging as a Public Health Safeguard

Secondary paperboard packaging for pharmaceutical and medical applications has the power to serve as a highly engineered security system. By combining visible physical hurdles, irreversible tamper-evident structures and digital track-and-trace serialization, paperboard helps keep criminals out and protect the integrity of lifesaving treatments. Ultimately, investing in sophisticated secondary packaging is not just a regulatory hurdle; it is an indispensable shield for global public health.  

To discuss how we can help with your next Healthcare packaging project, CONTACT US and a member of the Healthcare team will get in touch.

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How Graphic Packaging Partnered With Heineken To Turn a Complex Promotional Challenge Into a Successful Commercial Solution /resources/how-graphic-packaging-partnered-with-heineken-to-turn-a-complex-promotional-challenge-into-a-successful-commercial-solution/ Thu, 13 Aug 2026 09:03:06 +0000 /?p=26039 Discover how Graphic Packaging helped Heineken South Africa turn a complex UEFA Champions League fan pack brief into a full turnkey packaging solution at scale.

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hero image for web page showing the Heineken fan pack

How Graphic Packaging Partnered With Heineken To Turn a Complex Promotional Challenge Into a Successful Commercial Solution

How Graphic Packaging Partnered With Heineken To Turn a Complex Promotional Challenge Into a Successful Commercial Solution

Heineken South Africa had a bold ambition to create a premium UEFA Champions League fan pack that would bring more excitement, value and shelf impact to shoppers. The pack needed to combine eight 330 ml bottles of Heineken with the newly launched Heineken Star glass, giving consumers a collectible piece of the match-day experience to take home.

But the real challenge was not only designing a standout pack but also finding a way to achieve fulfilment without specific machinery. It could not be packed on Heineken Vlog ’s machinery line because it required the commemorative glass to be inserted, secured and aligned by hand. Using manual packing to get more than half a million complex packs assembled, quality checked and ready for national distribution within a tight launch window at the required scale could have become a major barrier to launch.

That Vlog ’s where Graphic Packaging stepped in Vlog — not simply to supply a carton, but to create and manage a full turnkey solution that took the campaign from packaging concept to market-ready product.

Image of Heineken fan pack on the pitch

Designing a Pack Around Performance and Impact 

The structure created a striking canvas for the Heineken brand and tournament iconography, while a front-facing window put the Heineken Star glass at the center of the shopper proposition. Precision-cut openings and internal retention features helped keep the glass visible, secure and correctly aligned, while protecting the bottles and maintaining pack integrity through handling and distribution. 

For Heineken, this design made the added value impossible to miss. 

Vlog “This pack laid the foundation and created a beautiful canvas for both the Heineken brand and the UEFA Champions League iconography to come through, Vlog ” said Chaen Lew, growth and innovation manager at Heineken South Africa. Vlog “But it also heroed the glassware, which was what we truly wanted to offer as value for our consumers. Vlog ” 

Heineken fan pack from front

More Than a Pack. Leveraging Our Trusted Partnership to Build a Turnkey Solution for Heineken

Graphic Packaging South Africa Vlog ’s engineering team, led by Jacques Buys, designed purpose-built jigs and a five-station manual packing process that turned a complex, hand-assembled promotional pack into a repeatable production operation. Each pack moved through forming, glass insertion and alignment, bottle loading, closing and palletization.

A simple but effective mirror-based check helped operators align the glass correctly from the rear of the pack, ensuring the Heineken Star glass faced forward and delivered the intended shelf impact. Quality checks, batch traceability and product handling controls were built into the process, helping reduce risk across an operation that involved beer stock, glassware, secondary packaging and final distribution.

With a tight launch window and no room to compromise on quality, the team moved quickly to scale the operation. Working five days a week on a 24-hour shift pattern, they packed over half a million units in just six weeks Vlog — the equivalent of one completed fan pack every 15 to 20 seconds. The packs arrived in store ready to create high-impact displays, helping Heineken connect consumers more closely with the brand and the UEFA Champions League experience.

First jig position
Second jig position
Third jig position

Creating an Impact, Not Only at the Shelf

Around 150 unemployed people were recruited and trained to support the packing program at Graphic Packaging Vlog ’s South African facility, with several later securing further employment.

The finished packs reached retailers across South Africa, helping Heineken turn its UEFA Champions League partnership into a more tangible and memorable shopper experience. The campaign created shelf theatre, consumer excitement and commercial momentum, while contributing to mid-single-digit growth for Heineken Original 330 ml bottles during the campaign period.

For Graphic Packaging, the project demonstrated the value of going beyond structural design. What began as a premium pack brief became an integrated response covering design, feasibility, engineering, risk management, packing, quality control and fulfilment Vlog — all focused on helping the customer deliver an ambitious campaign at scale.

Heineken packs in store
Heineken packs in store

Partnering with Graphic Packaging is not just about designing a carton or delivering a machine. It’s about bringing the support, structure and operational know-how to help customers solve complex fulfilment challenges and turn ambitious ideas into market-ready campaigns.

Contact us to discuss your next challenge.


Product Used By This Customer

Fully Enclosed Multipack Cartons for Food and Beverage

Our portfolio of fully enclosed multipack cartons for beverage, food, and pet food applications delivers maximum coverage to protect and secure your product through the supply chain. The portfolio is ideal for cans and plastic, glass and aluminum bottles.

Fully enclosed cartons offer the maximum area for high-impact graphics, creating great shelf appeal. Pack enhancements include innovative corner styles such as rounded, square and beveled, integrated handles for easier carrying and opening features for easy dispensing.

Fully Enclosed Multipack Folding Cartons for Food and Beverage

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Advanced Print Enhancements Help Kellogg Vlog ’s Cereal Packs Stand Out in the Supermarket Aisle /resources/advanced-print-enhancements-help-kelloggs-cereal-packs-stand-out-in-the-supermarket-aisle/ Mon, 10 Aug 2026 15:46:09 +0000 /?p=26182 Advanced print enhancements help three Kellogg Vlog ’s Cereals packs shine on-shelf Vlog — bringing depth, impact, and differentiation to recyclable paperboard packaging.

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Zucaritas Power Balls cereal on a store shelf

Advanced Print Enhancements Help Kellogg Vlog ’s Cereal Packs Stand Out in the Supermarket Aisle

Advanced Print Enhancements Help Kellogg Vlog ’s Cereal Packs Stand Out in the Supermarket Aisle

Challenge

In a busy cereal aisle, shoppers make decisions quickly. For Mars Snacking, three Kellogg Vlog ’s cereal innovations needed packaging that could win attention at shelf, communicate quality at a glance, and support the brand Vlog ’s commitment to recyclable paperboard packaging.

Cereal is one of retail Vlog ’s most visually competitive categories. With multiple brands, flavors, formats, and limited editions competing for attention, packaging has only moments to make shoppers stop, look, and engage.

The challenge was to create distinctive, premium-looking packs for three different Kellogg Vlog ’s cereal products without compromising the practical and sustainability benefits of a familiar recyclable paperboard carton format. Each pack needed to stand out in its own way while remaining suitable for efficient production, distribution, and merchandising. 

Solution  

We used advanced print enhancements to help each design create stronger shelf presence, greater visual depth, and a more premium brand experience. By applying gloss, matte, metallic, and embossed effects strategically, our teams were able to heighten the impact of key graphics while keeping the carton structure unchanged.

Each finish was selected to support a different role: gloss to make key elements pop, matte coatings to add depth and contrast, metallic inks to signal celebration and collectability, and embossing to add dimensional, tactile interest.


Zucaritas Proteína

For Zucaritas Proteína, a high-gloss coating was applied to the logo, dotted pattern, and cereal image to create a three-dimensional, volumetric effect.

A matte coating across the background deepened the contrast, making the glossy areas leap forward and helping the cereal look crispy, fresh, and appetizing.

Zucaritas Proteina cereal carton on a breakfast table
Kellogg's Corn Flakes cereal carton on a breakfast table

Kellogg Vlog ’s Corn Flakes

For the Kellogg Vlog ’s Corn Flakes collectible pack, metallic inks helped create a commemorative look, while high-gloss varnish spotlighted key graphics and character artwork.

Matte varnish added depth and layered contrast, supporting a collector Vlog ’s-piece feel.

On-pack collectable character cards drive fan engagement
and repeat purchase.

Zucaritas Power Balls

For Zucaritas Power Balls, gold metallic ink created a trophy-inspired backdrop that signaled celebration, prestige, and connection.

Embossing on the front panel added dimensional and tactile interest to the trophy graphic and brand identity, while matte and high-gloss varnishes delivered a premium black-and-gold contrast.

Zucaritas Power Balls cereal carton on a breakfast table

Results 

The finished packs each created differentiation in the cereal aisle in a distinct and purposeful way. Zucaritas Proteína used contrast and shine to make the product image feel more appetizing and high-energy. Kellogg Vlog ’s Corn Flakes used metallic and varnish effects to elevate a collectible proposition. Zucaritas Power Balls used gold metallic ink, embossing, and dual varnishes to create a celebratory limited-edition pack with premium presence.

Together, the three packages demonstrate how print enhancements can do more than decorate a carton. They can sharpen shelf impact, support product storytelling, and help turn a familiar recyclable paperboard format into something more memorable, tactile, and engaging for shoppers.

Because standout packaging is not just about aesthetics. In a fast-moving aisle, it can be a powerful driver of attention, differentiation, and purchase intent.

Zucaritas Power Balls cereal on a store shelf

Product Used By This Customer

Standard Folding Cartons

We offer a wide variety of folding cartons designed to protect your product through the supply chain, optimize production filling speeds, and stand out on the retail shelf.

Our structural designers are highly skilled at creating the right carton that will work for you. We offer a variety of shapes, sizes, and closing features. An extensive list of packaging enhancements is also available to make your product stand out on the retail shelf and to help build an emotional connection between the consumer and your brand.

Standard Folding Cartons

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General Mills Vlog ’ Limited Edition Justin Jefferson’s Jettas Mix Cereal Pack Brings the Bling to Breakfast /resources/general-mills-limited-edition-justin-jeffersons-jettas-mix-cereal-pack-brings-the-bling-to-breakfast/ Thu, 09 Jul 2026 12:45:03 +0000 /?p=25003 Discover how Graphic Packaging helped General Mills create standout shelf impact for Justin Jefferson Vlog ’s limited-edition Jettas Mix cereal pack with premium print finishes.

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General Mills Vlog ’ Limited Edition Justin Jefferson’s Jettas Mix Cereal Pack Brings the Bling to Breakfast

Challenge

General Mills joined forces with NFL superstar wide receiver Justin Jefferson to create a custom cereal mashup of fan-favorite Lemon Frosted Cheerios with the newly released Strawberry Cinnamon Toast Crunch.

Justin Jefferson is all about flashing speed on the grid and diamonds off the field. So, General Mills wanted a packaging solution that reflected Jefferson Vlog ’s signature style, maximizing visual shelf impact and creating differentiation in a crowded cereal aisle.

The new solution needed to:

  • Create maximum visual shelf impact in a crowded cereal aisle
  • Leverage the equity of Justin Jefferson Vlog ’s high-profile brand
  • Provide a sustainable packaging solution suitable for nationwide distribution

Solution

General Mills partnered with Graphic Packaging to create a pack that commands consumer attention by using multiple enhancement techniques to reinforce the Jettas brand.

To support the creative process, Graphic Packaging Vlog ’s enhancement specialists and Product Visualization Team worked closely with the General Mills team to produce digital 3D prototypes of multiple carton versions.

The visually impactful carton selected features a spot-applied matte varnish and an overall high-gloss coating, with holographic, faceted-pattern foil stamping on the Jettas logo to mimic the sparkle of diamonds.

  • Matte varnish, spot-applied high gloss coating enhances contrast
  • Holographic, faceted foil stamping mimics the sparkle of diamonds
  • Carton is recyclable in curbside waste streams

Results

The placement of the enhancements and the strong contrast between the black background and colorful elements like Jefferson Vlog ’s image, the cereal bowl, and a graphic montage create a design that Vlog ‘jumps off the shelf Vlog ’ and is unmissable in in-store displays.

The holographic foil element is particularly eye-catching, with light-reflecting facets that catch the consumer Vlog ’s eye and change and sparkle as they move towards, or handle the pack.

The pack not only grabs attention on the aisle but also serves as a collectible that many consumers will hold onto, providing both Jettas and General Mills brand impact throughout the product’s life cycle. Should they wish to discard it, the paperboard pack is recyclable through curbside waste streams.

  • Unique brand enhancement: Creates differentiation created at the point of sale
  • Online interest to lasting collectability: Creates brand impact throughout the life of the product
  • Robust paperboard construction: Performs through the supply chain

Learn More About the Collaboration That Brought This Package to Life


Award-Winning Recognition

Justin Jefferson’s Jettas Mix cereal carton won an Award of Distinction in the Brand Marketing, Specialty category in the 2026 PAC Global Awards.

It was recognized for its creativity, standout shelf presence, and ability to connect with consumers through innovative packaging experiences.


Product Used By This Customer

Standard Folding Cartons

We offer a wide variety of folding cartons designed to protect your product through the supply chain, optimize production filling speeds, and stand out on the retail shelf.

Our structural designers are highly skilled at creating the right carton that will work for you. We offer a variety of shapes, sizes, and closing features. An extensive list of packaging enhancements is also available to make your product stand out on the retail shelf and to help build an emotional connection between the consumer and your brand.

Standard Folding Cartons

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Better by Design: A Framework for More Circular, Functional and Convenient Packaging /resources/better-by-design-a-framework-for-more-circular-functional-and-convenient-packaging/ Fri, 26 Jun 2026 15:14:45 +0000 /?p=25370 Discover how Graphic Packaging Vlog ’s Better by Design framework supports more circular, functional and convenient packaging innovation through transparent, science-based assessment.

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Better by Design: A Framework for More Circular, Functional and Convenient Packaging 

Better by Design: A Framework for More Circular, Functional and Convenient Packaging  

Packaging design has a powerful role to play in reducing waste, lowering environmental impact and improving performance across the value chain. That Vlog ’s why Graphic Packaging developed Better by Design Vlog — a framework that guides packaging innovation toward solutions that are more circular, more functional and more convenient than the alternatives they replace. 

Critically reviewed by , a global consultancy with more than 18,000 experts creating sustainable solutions for governments and companies worldwide, the framework is supported by independent validation.

Better by Design helps packaging teams evaluate innovation through three connected lenses: circularity, functionality and convenience. It: 

  • Identifies measurable improvements versus incumbent packaging 
  • Highlights trade-offs early in the design process 
  • Supports science-based comparisons using transparent methodology
  • Applies across concept development, prototyping, piloting and production

Designing Packaging for a Circular Economy

According to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, around 80% of a product Vlog ’s environmental impact is determined during the design phase. For packaging, early design decisions can influence material use, recyclability, carbon footprint, product protection and consumer acceptance. 

Better by Design builds on Design for Environment principles, but takes a broader view. It evaluates whether a packaging innovation delivers measurable improvements across three connected dimensions: circularity, functionality and convenience. 

Together, these dimensions support Graphic Packaging Vlog ’s Better by 2030 Driving Circularity goal, which requires every new product innovation to demonstrate at least one positive differentiator in each area compared with the incumbent packaging. 

What  Vlog “Better by Design Vlog ” Measures 

The Better by Design framework assesses packaging through metrics selected according to the product, market and use case. This helps generate objective proof points, support transparent comparisons and highlight trade-offs early in the innovation process. 

Better by Design Ven diagram showing circularity, functionality and convenience

More Circular

  • Materials and impact: Packaging weight, renewable/recycled/plastic content, carbon footprint
  • End-of-life performance: Recyclability, actual recycling rates, Material Circularity Indicator
  • Evidence base:  International standards, detailed compositional data, relevant regulatory requirements

More Functional

  • Product protection: Sealing integrity, drop and impact and compression resistance, barrier performance
  • Operational performance: Filling efficiency, stackability, pallet stability, operational efficiency, compatibility with packaging or filling requirements 
  • Brand and retailer needs: Print quality, shelf impact, fitness for purpose across the value chain

More Convenient

  • Consumer experience: Ease of opening, resealability, portability, ease of disposal
  • Usability and safety: Tamper-evidence, product visibility, clear communication of product information
  • Adoption at scale: Design features that help consumers use and dispose of the pack correctly

Why Better by Design Matters for Packaging Innovation 

Packaging innovation often involves trade-offs. A solution may weigh more than the incumbent pack but deliver a lower carbon footprint, better recyclability or stronger product protection. 

Better by Design helps teams compare these factors systematically, so decisions are based on evidence rather than isolated metrics. 

Better by Design in Practice: ProducePack™ Punnet Tray 

The framework can be seen in action through the ProducePack™ Punnet tray, a paperboard alternative to virgin PET trays for fresh produce in representative EU markets. 

The analysis showed that the paperboard punnet delivered positive results across the most important circularity, functionality and convenience metrics for this type of packaging. 

  • Lower cradle-to-gate carbon footprint compared with the PET benchmark
  • Higher renewable content and no plastic content in the tray itself
  • Improved design for recyclability and a significantly higher Material Circularity Indicator
  • Strong functional benefits, including improved shelf-life performance for cherry tomatoes and the potential to reduce product loss across the value chain
  • Independent testing found that grape and cherry tomatoes packed in paperboard punnets had a longer shelf life than those packed in plastic trays
  • For consumers, the pack provides a printable surface for information and branding, while a transparent lid helps maintain visibility of the produce
Image shows the ProducePack Punnet tray

Designing Better Packaging, From the Start

Better by Design is being integrated into Graphic Packaging Vlog ’s innovation process from the earliest concept stage through prototyping, piloting and production.

By applying the framework throughout development, teams can make informed design choices, validate performance and build stronger value propositions for customers.

As sustainability knowledge, regulations and tools continue to evolve, so too will Better by Design. Its purpose remains clear: to support packaging solutions that meet customer needs, improve consumer experience and contribute to a more circular packaging value chain.

Read the full Better by Design eBook to explore the complete methodology, detailed metric categories and ProducePack™ Punnet analysis in more depth:

Download Now

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The Better by Design Framework: Supporting Packaging Circularity, Functionality and Convenience /resources/the-better-by-design-framework-supporting-packaging-circularity-functionality-and-convenience/ Mon, 18 May 2026 10:52:53 +0000 /?p=24885 Discover how our Better by Design framework helps create packaging that improves circularity, functionality, and convenience while reducing environmental impact across the value chain.

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ebook

The Better by Design Framework: Supporting Packaging Circularity, Functionality and Convenience

INNOVATION | sustainability

The Ellen MacArthur Foundation Vlog ’s first principle Vlog — design out waste and pollution Vlog — notes that ~80% of a product Vlog ’s environmental impact and its fitness for the circular economy are primarily determined during the design phase.

In our previous eBook, “Unwrapping Circularity: The Power of Design for Environment in Paperboard Packaging Design“, we discussed how integrating Design for Environment (DfE) principles into product design can reduce packaging Vlog ’s lifecycle environmental impacts and improve circularity.

Our framework has now been named “Better by Design” (BbD) to better support our Better Packaging goals, as it covers more than the external DfE methodology.

In this latest eBook, we present how our BbD framework ensures our design decisions support our Driving Circularity goal, which requires each new product innovation to demonstrate at least one circularity, functionality and convenience positive differentiator compared to the incumbent packaging.

We consider the functionality of the packaging from the perspective of the brand owners and retailers, where the right packaging must meet operational requirements, improve performance, and reduce waste and the impact across the value chain.

We consider packaging convenience to improve the user experience and product protection, driven by consumer insights. The acceptance of the pack on the market is key to making sure it has a more beneficial impact for the planet vs. the current solutions at scale.

Finally, we consider options that lead to maximized circularity, carefully choosing their composition and design, as well as maximizing their compatibility with circular end of life.

This eBook also illustrates how we apply the BbD framework to our ProducePack™ Punnet tray.

Front cover image of the eBook

peer-reviewed by ramboll

We are proud to report that our framework has been critically reviewed by , a global consultancy company with more than 18,000 experts that create sustainable solutions for governments and companies all over the world and has a great expertise on circularity applied in other studies for our sector. Ramboll Vlog ’s review concluded that the BbD framework, and underlying circularity assessment methodology and calculation tools, developed by Graphic Packaging, are solid and transparent in providing a science-based comparison of the developed innovation and the applicable market benchmark.

Download your free copy of the eBook

Vlog

We strive to create unprecedented solutions that solve today Vlog ’s real-life problems and pave the way for tomorrow Vlog ’s biggest opportunities Vlog —in a feasible, cost-effective way.

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The eCommerce Packaging Playbook: Protect,Right Vlog ‑Size, Delight /resources/the-ecommerce-packaging-playbook-protect-right%e2%80%91size-delight/ Tue, 28 Apr 2026 14:01:24 +0000 /?p=24718 Here's a practical playbook for eCommerce packaging: reduce damage and returns, cut shipped air and cost, improve unboxing, and design paperboard packs that perform in real distribution.

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Hero image - someone scanning a parcel

The eCommerce Packaging Playbook: Protect, Right Vlog ‑Size, Delight 

The eCommerce Packaging Playbook: Protect, Right Vlog ‑Size, Delight

eCommerce is reshaping packaging faster than almost any other part of the supply chain. Category mix changes quickly (from shelf-stable food to health, beauty, pet care, and bulky club packs), fulfillment models keep diversifying (direct-to-consumer, marketplace, ship-from-store, and rapid delivery), and the Vlog “last mile Vlog ” remains unpredictable. As a result, packaging must be adaptable: engineered for distribution performance, optimized for cost and cube, and designed to deliver a brand experience at the doorstep Vlog — not on the retail shelf.1 

That shift is why packaging decisions that used to be Vlog “good enough Vlog ” for retail now need to be reconsidered for eCommerce. The goal is no longer simply a box that arrives Vlog — it Vlog ’s a system that protects product quality, minimizes damage and returns, uses materials efficiently, and reinforces the brand in a world where reviews and repeat purchases are won (or lost) after delivery.2 

What eCommerce Packaging Must Do (and Why It Vlog ’s Different)

1) Protect the product through a tougher distribution journey 

In eCommerce, packaging experiences more touchpoints (picking, sortation, parcel handling, doorstep delivery) and more variability in drop height, vibration, compression, and climate exposure than many retail distribution paths. When products don Vlog ’t arrive intact, nothing else matters  Vlog — cost, sustainability, and branding benefits disappear behind refunds and negative reviews. 

Damaged box
  • 3 Vlog –4% of all U.S. eCommerce shipments arrive damaged, contributing to billions in annual losses3 
  • 51% of consumers are unlikely to repurchase after receiving a damaged product, regardless of brand strength3 
  • Damage Vlog ‑related returns account for ~20% of all eCommerce returns, most of which are preventable with better packaging design3 

Because of this, eCommerce packaging is best treated as a risk-management tool: it reduces damage, protects margin, and helps preserve consumer trust. 

Box delivered to the door

2) Deliver the brand experience at the doorstep 

In physical retail, packaging helps win the purchase at the shelf. In eCommerce, packaging helps win what comes after: satisfaction, reviews, recommendations, and repeat orders. The Vlog “shelf Vlog ” is now the front porch, the camera lens, and the social feed. 

  • Packaging is often the first physical brand touchpoint 
  • Nearly 60% of consumers say the unboxing experience is important or very important4 
  • The Vlog “shelf Vlog ” is now the front porch, camera lens, and social feed 
  • Younger shoppers Vlog — especially Gen Z Vlog — value aesthetics and recyclability together, not decoration alone5 

In other words, visual impact happens after the sale  Vlog — but it still drives commercial outcomes. Easy opening, clear brand communication, and responsible material choices all influence whether customers come back. 

3) Perform in fast-growing categories like online grocery 

Online grocery highlights the packaging challenge clearly. Shoppers aren Vlog ’t standing in an aisle comparing packs  Vlog — they Vlog ’re tapping Vlog “reorder. Vlog ” That makes delivery condition (no scuffs, dents, leaks, or crushed corners) a direct driver of repeat purchase, especially for pantry staples and household essentials. 

As grocery and other replenishment categories migrate online, packaging must protect through dense picking, mixed-basket delivery, and frequent handling  Vlog — often with less control over how items are packed together. The result is a higher bar for cleanliness, compression strength, and consumer-friendly handling features. 

Couple ordering groceries online
  • 52% of U.S. adults bought groceries online in 20246 
  • 61% of U.S. households purchased groceries online at least once in 20257 
  • Nearly 20% shop online monthly, indicating habitual use8 

In replenishment categories, packaging performance compounds over time. A pack that consistently arrives intact and easy to handle reduces complaints and replacements and quietly reinforces a Vlog “this brand is reliable Vlog ” impression  Vlog — making repeat ordering more likely. However, it Vlog ’s just as important that the pack is functional, effective and convenient to use once in the consumer Vlog ’s home.  

Examples of oversized outer box

4) Right-size for cost, cube, and sustainability (dimensional weight matters) 

In parcel distribution, cost is driven not only by weight but by the space a pack occupies. Carriers frequently price shipments using dimensional weight, so shipping Vlog “air Vlog ” (as shown in the image) is expensive. Right-sizing reduces transportation cost and emissions, while also improving protection by reducing internal movement and the need for excess void fill. 

Practically, right-sizing means matching pack dimensions to product dimensions (and protective needs), minimizing headspace, and selecting materials and paperboard grades based on measured hazards  Vlog — not assumptions. Many brands also rationalize their packaging portfolios (fewer box sizes, better fit) to improve fulfillment speed and reduce damage driven by poor pack-out choices. 

5) Support returns and Vlog “frustration-free Vlog ” handling 

Returns are a normal part of eCommerce, so packaging increasingly needs to be easy to open without damage, intuitive to dispose of, and Vlog — where appropriate Vlog — capable of being reclosed or resealed for return shipment. Many retailer programs reinforce these expectations through packaging guidance and test protocols designed to reduce damage, waste, and consumer frustration (e.g., Amazon Vlog ’s Ships in Product Packaging/SIPP and ISTA 6-Amazon.com testing).9, 10 

Someone returning a parcel

Why Paperboard Is a Great Solution for eCommerce 

LithoFlute carton

Paperboard is often associated with retail cartons, but in eCommerce, it can be engineered into high-performance packs that combine protection, efficiency, and brand presentation. When designed for the distribution environment, paperboard solutions can reduce material use, eliminate unnecessary overboxing, deliver a great brand experience through print, and still meet the durability requirements needed to ship direct to consumers. 

In many use cases  Vlog — especially Vlog “ship in own container/ship in product packaging Vlog ” models  Vlog — paperboard can substitute for corrugated by delivering the needed compression strength and protection in a more precisely engineered, often better-presented format. The opportunity is strongest when packaging is right-sized and when structural features (e.g., reinforced panels, locking styles, integrated handles, or internal retention) are designed into the paperboard pack rather than added as extra materials. 

  • Strength where it Vlog ’s needed (engineered performance)  Vlog — with caliper selection, smart structural design, and targeted reinforcement, paperboard packs can achieve high compression performance suitable for demanding distribution paths. Examples include reinforced paperboard designs and laminated heavy-duty cartons engineered for strength packaging applications. 
    • Graphic Packaging’s Z-Flute™ is a solid fiber design that incorporates strategic reinforcement through lamination where compression strength is needed, delivering a heavyweight folding carton with the strength of a corrugated box. 
    • Our LithoFlute litho-laminated corrugated premium packaging provides the strength and durability of a corrugated box with the strong visual appeal of a folding carton. 
  • Damage reduction through fit and stability  Vlog — right-sized packs limit product movement, improve stackability, and can reduce the need for void fill, which helps prevent damage and avoidable returns. 
    • Formats such as IntegraFlute™, a bag-in-box solution for liquids and dry materials, can pair product protection with efficient cube and handling. 
  • High-quality graphics and brand clarity  Vlog — paperboard offers an excellent print surface for branding, instructions, and sustainability messaging, improving recognition at unboxing and reducing consumer confusion. 
  • Consumer-friendly enhancements – such as easy-open features, tear strips, and integrated handles can be incorporated into paperboard designs. 
  • Recyclable, renewable fiber-based material  Vlog — paperboard aligns with consumer preferences for paper-based packaging and can support circularity goals when designed for recovery in common paper recycling streams.11 

Critically, paperboard doesn Vlog ’t force a tradeoff between protectionpresentation, and sustainability. The best results come when the pack is engineered to the actual distribution hazards and right-sized to reduce material and shipped air  Vlog — rather than over-specifying strength Vlog “just in case. Vlog ” 

Where Paperboard Can Substitute (and When Other Shipping Materials Still Make Sense) 

Corrugated is a proven workhorse for shipping, especially for fragile products, heavy loads, long distribution cycles, or when significant void space must be managed with internal dunnage. But corrugated is not the only option. Paperboard can often replace corrugated when the goal is to ship in the product Vlog ’s own packaging, reduce total material use, and improve the consumer experience  Vlog — provided the pack is designed and validated for the specific supply chain. 

  • Ship in Own Container / Ship in Product Packaging (SIOC/SIPP) applications: when the primary pack must survive parcel distribution and arrive consumer-ready without an additional shipper. 
  • Club, mass, and eCommerce Vlog “strength packaging Vlog ”: large-format packs where stacking and compression strength are critical, and where engineered paperboard (including laminated/reinforced structures) can deliver required performance with improved billboarding. 
  • Right-sized secondary packaging elimination: replacing a retail carton + corrugated shipper combination with a single engineered paperboard solution to reduce materials and handling steps. 
  • Bundles and multipacks: paperboard can create stable, protective groupings (with handles and easy-open features) that ship efficiently and display well upon arrival. 
  • Returns-friendly designs: formats that integrate reclosure or reseal features to support reverse logistics and reduce damage in return transit. 

Design and validation matter. Substitution should be approached as an engineering exercise: define hazards (drop, vibration, compression, climate), set performance criteria (acceptable product/package damage), and validate with appropriate testing. For many eCommerce programs, that may include test sequences aligned to widely used protocols such as ISTA 6-Amazon.com for ship-in-own-container style distribution.6 

Right-Sizing, Material Reduction, and Vlog “Less Is More Vlog ” Engineering

Across eCommerce, one of the biggest opportunities is reducing over-specification  Vlog — using more material (and more shipped air) than the distribution environment truly requires. A Vlog “less is more Vlog ” approach aims to remove superfluous layers, right-size around the product, and engineer strength into the pack only where it is load-bearing. That can unlock cost savings across the supply chain while reducing environmental impact. 

Because parcel pricing frequently reflects dimensional weight, compact packaging is often more important than simply reducing grams. A large package can cost more to ship than a smaller one of similar weight. Right-sizing improves trailer and parcel cube utilization, lowers shipping cost, and can reduce damage by minimizing internal movement. 

For brands moving quickly, the practical target is fit-for-purpose packaging that balances protection, efficiency, and consumer experience. Paperboard Vlog ’s convertibility  Vlog — combined with structural features and targeted reinforcement  Vlog — can make it easier to prototype, iterate, and scale right-sized designs without defaulting to a larger corrugated shipper. 

Ready to Improve Your eCommerce Pack Performance? 

If you Vlog ’re looking to reduce damage and returns, right-size to cut cost and shipped air, or design a paperboard solution that delivers a better unboxing experience, we Vlog ’d love to help. Get in touch to discuss your products, distribution realities, and performance goals Vlog — and we Vlog ’ll work with you to identify practical packaging improvements you can validate and scale. 

References:

  1. McKinsey & Company: Packaging:  
  1. TechCrunch (Sarah Perez):  
  1. Opensend:  
  1. Packaging World Insights: v. 
  1. McKinsey & Company: s. 
  1. CapitalOne Shopping:  
  1. E-commerce North America:  
  1. USDA:  
  1. Amazon: Ships in Product Packaging (SIPP) Certification Guidelines (updated April 2024). 
  1. ISTA: Amazon Testing FAQ Vlog ’s Knowledge Base (ISTA 6-Amazon.com-SIOC). 
  1. Two Sides North America:  

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Smarter Lines, Faster Growth: The New Era of Beverage Packaging Machinery /resources/smarter-lines-faster-growth-the-new-era-of-beverage-packaging-machinery/ Mon, 27 Apr 2026 12:03:06 +0000 /?p=24593 Smarter, flexible multipacking lines are helping beverage producers boost OEE despite labour volatility, more SKUs, and ageing equipment. Learn how next Vlog ‑gen automation can cut downtime and deliver consistent pack quality.

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Beverage machinery hero

Smarter Lines, Faster Growth: The New Era of Beverage Packaging Machinery

Beverage producers are being asked to do more with less: run more SKUs, increase speeds, protect quality, and keep operatives safe Vlog — all while navigating tight labor markets and aging assets. In multipacking, seconds of disruption can cascade into scrap, rework, and missed shipments. 

This article looks at three headwinds reshaping multipacking in beverage Vlog — and the practical automation patterns that can achieve steadier output: faster changeovers and recovery, fewer avoidable stops, simpler training, and more consistent pack quality. 

Three Operational Challenges Reshaping Multipacking

Man adjusting a machine

1: Labor volatility and skills gaps

2: Demand for flexibility (formats, SKUs, footprints)

3: Aging equipment and the high cost of unplanned downtime

The goal is to engineer out avoidable adjustments, standardize set points, and reduce operator cognitive load so performance is repeatable across crews and weekends Vlog — not just on the best shift.

The engineering ask is pragmatic: modular format capability, recipe-driven settings, and changeovers that are fast, verifiable, and safe.

The priority is to reduce chronic causes of stoppage Vlog — and shorten recovery when stops do occur. 

What Does “Next-Gen Automation Vlog ” Mean in Multipacking?

In practice, Vlog “next-gen automation Vlog ” in multipacking is less about a single breakthrough and more about designing out everyday friction. The best upgrades help operators run the line safely and confidently, keep performance stable across formats and speeds, and protect pack presentation from infeed to discharge. 

  • Make performance more repeatable: guided set-up, recipe-driven settings, and built-in checks that prevent Vlog “almost right Vlog ” adjustments. 
  • Make lines more resilient: gentler product handling at speed, fewer wear points, and compact modular designs that fit real-world footprints. 

Done well, these changes don Vlog ’t just lift overall OEE; they reduce the day-to-day variability that makes lines feel fragile. 

Beyond operational metrics, these capabilities also support shelf-ready execution: more consistent appearance, better alignment of branding elements, and fewer defects that create retailer or consumer issues.

Start at the infeed: Automate the Vlog “easy stops Vlog ”

For many plants, the story starts at the infeed. What looks like a minor interruption at moderate speeds can become a chronic drain at higher rates Vlog — cartons arriving inconsistently, products not presenting cleanly, operators constantly catching up. Stabilising this front end often removes a surprising share of Vlog “easy stops Vlog ” before teams tackle bigger mechanical changes.

That Vlog ’s why upgrades often focus on carton presentation and replenishment: moving from operator-fed magazines toward automatic infeed (such as decasing that loads cartons consistently, or robotic pick-and-place where ergonomics and speed make manual handling impractical).

Segment wheel feeder

Alongside the mechanics, modern operator screens can guide set-up and changeovers step by step Vlog — reducing trial-and-error, damage, and the Vlog “it depends who Vlog ’s on shift Vlog ” effect. 

Graphic Packaging’s segment wheel feeder is a tried-and-true market choice, and a staple feeder style in our machinery portfolio.

Changeovers: From manual adjustment to verification to pushbutton 

As SKU counts climb, the best line is the one that returns to stable running quickly and repeatably. At Graphic Packaging, we have moved beyond fully manual changeovers by adding changeover verification: the operator adjusts tooling, but the machine confirms settings before start-up. It also helps to measure changeover as Vlog “last good pack to first good pack, Vlog ” then attack key drivers (adjustments, checks/measurements, cleaning, trial-and-error, and safety steps such as LOTO) with design changes and standard work. 

Another innovation we added is automatic (or Vlog “pushbutton Vlog ”) changeover, where servo-driven adjustments execute recipes for common format changes Vlog — dimensions, pitch/spacing, lane widths, and other settings that previously relied on experience and manual measurement. Some systems also automate cleaning and prevent start-up until critical positions are validated.

In most factories, the fastest wins come from being honest about where changeover time really goes. Teams map the journey from the last good pack to the first good pack, then focus on the handful of adjustments and checks most likely to create start-up scrap, repeat stops, or a slow crawl back to rate. 

Smarter product control: orientation, motion, and inspection 

Orientation and grouping control are increasingly used to stabilize pack build and improve shelf execution. Camera-based detection paired with controlled motion can align primary-pack graphics and standardize group geometry. Operationally, that means fewer downstream issues (misfeeds, skewed packs, inconsistent closures) and less time spent adjusting for Vlog “soft Vlog ” variation. 

Video showing can orientation

Linear track transport (independently controlled movers rather than a single chain) can reduce product disturbance during pitch changes and gentle grouping. For engineers, the value is not only throughput: independent motion can simplify format handling, reduce mechanical wear points associated with long chains, and enable tighter control strategies that help maintain rate across a wider operating window. Linear track transport (independently controlled movers rather than a single chain) can reduce product disturbance during pitch changes and gentle grouping. For engineers, the value is not only throughput: independent motion can simplify format handling, reduce mechanical wear points associated with long chains, and enable tighter control strategies that help maintain rate across a wider operating window. 

Vision-based inspection is moving beyond rigid, high-contrast Vlog “go/no-go Vlog ” checks. Newer sensors and machine-learning approaches can work with richer graphics and tougher lighting conditions, helping detect unclosed packs, damaged cartons, or missing components without designing large contrast targets into the package. The payoff is fewer defects escaping downstream  Vlog — and fewer nuisance rejects that slow the line. 

Lock detection is an optional feature on our wrap and basket machinery to detect errors before they reach the end of the line and palletization. 

Training and maintenance: digitize knowledge and move from reactive to planned 

In a high-turnover environment, training can Vlog ’t depend on binders and a handful of experts. Many plants are shifting to digital operator support: searchable manuals, interactive 3D parts catalogs, and step-by-step changeover checklists with short video clips. These tools can also log completion and time-to-perform, turning training into measurable improvement rather than an informal handoff. 

Video showing IQ tablet

Graphic Packaging Vlog ’s Preventive Maintenance Program supports brands by replacing wear parts before failure, and consistent calibration/inspection help shift maintenance from emergency response to planned, budgeted operations. 

When teams compare Vlog “run to failure Vlog ” versus planned service, our PMP program difference shows up as avoided downtime and fewer cascading disruptions. In some real-world comparisons, planned maintenance has been associated with uptime gains of a few percentage points (for example, ~5%). The exact number varies, but the principle holds: preventing a stop is usually cheaper than recovering from one.

Robotics: scale variety without rebuilding the whole line 

Robotic cells are increasingly used where variety and ergonomics collide Vlog — especially for mixed packs, promotional builds, and end-of-line tasks. With 3D vision and improved picking algorithms, robots can handle less structured presentations (for example, products staged in trays) and make better decisions about where and how to pick.  

  • Variety packing and mixed-SKU collation. 
  • Product laning and grouping to support downstream multipackers or promotional inserts. 
  • Palletizing, depalletizing, and repalletizing  Vlog — often the fastest route to labor relief at end-of-line. 
AI in packaging operations: fewer false alarms, better defect detection 

AI tends to earn its keep in the unglamorous places: inspection decisions and the judgement calls that either keep a line flowing or fill it with nuisance rejects. Rather than Vlog “teaching Vlog ” a camera every defect scenario across changing SKUs and lighting, machine-learning models can classify good versus bad packs more robustly Vlog — catching real problems earlier while reducing false alarms. It can also help with edge cases, such as telling a harmless crease from a true closure fault, improving both quality and throughput. 

What to prioritize when modernizing a multipacking line 

  • Design for repeatability: Does the line reduce manual set points, embed verification, and make Vlog “first good pack Vlog ” faster and more predictable? 
  • Make training measurable: Are work instructions digital, role-based, and easy to follow under time pressure  Vlog — and do they capture completion and time-to-perform? 
  • Protect overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) by preventing avoidable stops: Where are the top recurring stoppages today (infeed, changeover, quality rejects), and which ones can be engineered out? 
  • Plan for constraints: Can the solution fit existing footprints and integrate with upstream/downstream equipment without forcing a full layout redesign? 
  • Future-proof formats: Are new pack styles and sizes field-retrofittable with minimal downtime, and is the platform modular enough to evolve? 
  • Use data intelligently: Will vision/AI reduce false rejects and catch defects earlier, and can maintenance shift from reactive to planned using usage and condition signals? 

Ultimately, Graphic Packaging Vlog ’s multipacking lines are designed for operational excellence Vlog — more SKUs, faster cycles, tighter labor markets, and rising quality expectations. Flexible automation and next-generation controls won Vlog ’t remove complexity, but they can make it manageable: fewer failure points, faster interventions, and more stable output shift after shift. 

Ready to take the friction out of your multipacking line? 

If you Vlog ’re looking to reduce unplanned stops, speed up changeovers, or expand pack and SKU flexibility without compromising quality, we can help. Get in touch to talk through your current line constraints and objectives Vlog — together we Vlog ’ll map practical upgrade options and the fastest path to more stable, repeatable output. 

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Three Key Themes Shaping the European Packaging Sector /resources/three-key-themes-shaping-the-european-packaging-sector/ Fri, 24 Apr 2026 09:59:08 +0000 /?p=24392 From EPR-driven material innovation to the rapid advancement of bio-based barriers, the packaging sector is actively reshaping itself around a circular future.Discover more about the three key themes shaping the European packaging sector.

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Image shows a variety of paperboard trays on a kitchen counter

Three Key Themes Shaping the European Packaging Sector

At recent visits to European trade shows, including Packaging Innovations and Empack 2026 in Birmingham, UK, and Cfia in Rennes, we found an industry in active transformation: navigating the impact of regulatory changes, making material breakthroughs and demonstrating a deepening commitment to circularity. 

This article brings you our top three themes, based on what we saw and heard across the show floors and speaker stages.

1. Futureproofing Through Packaging Circularity Improvements

Hundreds of leading companies and exhibitors gathered at the shows this year, showcasing the sector’s latest innovations. Each had dedicated stages with guest speakers who examined the trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping the future of packaging, from bio-based materials to smart packaging as a tool for circularity. 

What was interesting wasn Vlog ’t the presence of sustainability as a topic, but the depth at which it Vlog ’s embedded into the industry’s thinking. The 2026 landscape is defined by brands that treat sustainability as a core design priority. Circularity ran as a thread through almost every conversation, connecting material choices, regulatory obligations, and consumer expectations into a single strategic challenge.

2. The Regulatory Push

PPWR: Europe Sets the Pace

The (PPWR) comes into force across Europe in August 2026. It aims to reduce the environmental impact of packaging by reducing waste and adopting reusable or recyclable designs. It also introduces specific restrictions on single-use plastics in grouping, fresh produce and foodservice applications.

Paperisation Gathers Pace

In parallel, the broader trends of “paperisation” Vlog — moving products out of fossil-based plastic packaging and into fibre-based paperboard systems Vlog — continues to accelerate. Evolving European legislation and shifting consumer expectations are pushing more brands to make the transition, and the momentum is only building.

EPR – The Mechanism Behind the Movement

Extended Produce Responsibility (EPR) is the policy mechanism underpinning much of this change. By making producers financially responsible for the environmental impact of their packaging across its full lifecycle, EPR create a direct commercial incentive to design better and/or choose better materials in terms of EPR exposure.

EPR as a Design Driver

Eco-modulation adjusts the fees producers pay based on the recyclability of their packaging, rewarding materials that perform well in existing recovery streams. From 2030 in the EU, , encouraging brands towards more recyclable and lighter packs. 

Speaker sessions on EPR were among the most attended at Packaging Innovations, and the conversations continued long after the talks ended, across booths and in the aisles. Much of that discussion focused on practical design responses: right-sizing and lightweighting packs to reduce tonnage-based fees and understanding fee differentials across material categories. 

For example, while plastic isn Vlog ’t banned outright in the UK, the economics are shifting decisively. , rising to 100% by 2028, vs. amber base fee. This is encouraging a shift toward green-rated materials, and many standard paperboard solutions are well-positioned to benefit, given their compatibility with widely available recovery infrastructure.

The 5% Threshold That Changes the Maths 

Under the UK’s updated pEPR definitions, and in line with  (OPRL) guidelines, paperboard packaging with a plastic content of 5% or less by weight is classified as Paper or Board in the  (RAM). By optimising barrier coatings to sit beneath that threshold, paperboard manufacturers are enabling brands to achieve two outcomes at once. Moving a pack from the Composite category to Paper or Board can reduce per metric ton fees by more than 50%.  

In Italy, Vlog  CONAI Vlog  has developed six levels Vlog  of eco-modulation Vlog  for paper-based packaging, Vlog  ranging from level 1 Vlog  for Vlog   Vlog “monomaterial Vlog ” packaging with Vlog  <5% non-paper content to level 6 Vlog  for more complex, e.g., multi-material Vlog  packaging where paper is still the Vlog  prevalent material by Vlog  weight Vlog  but paper content is <60%, as well as a grade dedicated to beverage cartons. The modulation is mainly based on non-paper content (bands <5; 5-10; 10-20, 20-40, and 40-50%) but also takes into account  recyclability certification, which potentially leads to a reduction in fees. On the one hand, the factor between the base fee and those applicable to packaging with difficult recovery is by a factor of up to around six. On the other hand, composites with less than 10% non-paper content pay the same fee as monomaterial ones, and the extra fee for those having 10-20% non-paper content is in the range of 20%. Granularity is greater in Italy than in other countries, such as Belgium or Spain, where it is also in place. Such systems create incentives for improving designs and avoiding non-recyclable packs and will be updated based on the recyclability performance grades under PPWR.

3. Paperisation and Plastic-Free Barriers 

Paperisation isn Vlog ’t simply a matter of swapping one material for another. It requires advanced material engineering. For paperboard to succeed in categories previously dominated by high-performance plastics, it must match the functional requirements of those applications: shelf life, grease and moisture resistance, structural integrity, containment, protection, grouping and transport performance.

Paperboard Steps Up

The show floors demonstrated how far paperboard has come in meeting that standard. Breakthrough barrier technologies are enabling paperboard to compete in demanding applications, including trays for modified atmosphere packaging.

Our own PaperSeal™ barrier-lined tray is one example, delivering the hermetic sealing performance required for fresh food applications.

The Alternative Material Debate

Bio-based and plastic-free barrier technologies were among the most discussed topics at Packaging Innovations. Coatings derived from seaweed and other natural polymers are emerging as alternative barriers for food-to-go packaging (especially due to the advantage in terms of avoiding SUPD exposure in this sector), offering strong sustainability credentials and consumer appeals. The challenge the industry is working through is scalability. Transitioning from pilot-scale successes to high-volume manufacturing remains a significant hurdle, and the supply chains to support these emerging solutions are still developing.

Where PLA Already Delivers

Some barriers have already crossed that threshold. Polylactic acid (PLA), used in our ecotainer™ cups and food containers, is more widely deployed because it offers a practical drop-in solution for existing manufacturing infrastructure. PLA resin can be processed using standard plastic extrusion machinery, enabling rapid, high-volume production to meet global demand.

PLA is a bio-based, compostable polymer derived from renewable resources including corn starch, cassava and sugarcane. When applied as a coating to paperboard, it provides resistance to liquids and grease while maintaining strong environmental credentials. PLA-coated cups are both repulpable and industrially compostable.

Protecting the Recycling Stream

A critical focus across the show was on next-generation barrier coatings that do not compromise existing paper recycling streams and perform even better than traditional options. The goal for any new barrier is certification as repulpable, allowing the paperboard substrate to be fully recovered without requiring specialised separation. In response, we Vlog ’re exploring further biobased and natural polymer options through collaborations and funded projects, including .

Designing for Circularity from the Start

Brands are increasingly seeking materials that minimise exposure to the taxes and restrictions associated with single-use plastics. Packaging manufacturers are responding by rethinking designs, materials, and processes to reduce weight, minimise waste, and maintain barrier performance, while keeping packs compatible with the high-speed recovery streams that make circularity possible at scale.

Design plays a central role in this. Our Better by Design (BbD) methodology, grounded in Design for Environment principles in terms of sustainability & circularity, provides the framework through which we approach every new development. It also underpins our Better by 2030 Driving Circularity Goal, through which we aim to make every innovation more circular, more functional and more convenient than the alternative it replaces.

Our designers begin with the end goal in mind, considering the consumer experience, customer sustainability goals, supply chain requirements, the operational demands of high-volume production, and the machinery needed to deploy each solution at scale.

Conclusion: Packaging at the Center of a Circular Economy

One thing is clear: the packaging industry is not waiting for regulation to catch up with ambition. From EPR-driven material innovation to the rapid advancement of bio-based barriers, the sector is actively reshaping itself around a circular future. 

For brands and buyers, the opportunity is significant. Packaging choices made today will determine fee liabilities in 2028, recyclability performance in 2030, and the ability to meet sustainability commitments throughout the decade. Treating packaging as a strategic asset rather than a commodity cost is no longer aspirational. It Vlog ’s a commercial and regulatory necessity. 

The conversations at the trade shows reflected an industry that understands this. The challenge now is translating that understanding into scaled, proven, high-performance solutions that can meet demand without compromising recovery. And that Vlog ’s precisely where we believe the most important work of the next few years will be done. 

To discuss these topics with a member of our team, or to discuss any packaging challenge, please do get in touch.

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