CCEP (Coca-Cola European Partners)  have  unveiled a new design for Diet Coke as part of a brand refresh writes Tony Corbin for Packaging News.  Part of a brand refresh, the new pack design coincides with the arrival of bold new flavours and is supported by a £10m advertising campaign.

Jan 31, 2018  -  Saudi Arabian packaging company Noor Carton is reporting successful production using its two Rapida 106 coater presses. KB Rapida Saudi.  The company erected its new plant in 2015, and a six-colour Rapida 106 with coater and extended delivery has been in production since then.

Jan 24, 2018  -  Amcor has revealed ambitious plans to make all its packaging recyclable or reusable by 2025.The company, which manufactures a wide range of packaging including PET bottles and films, has claimed that it’s the first global packaging firm to make such a pledge.

Jan 20, 2018  -  Tetra Pak has pledged to support the European Commission’s Plastics Strategy, announced this week as part of the EU Action Plan for a Circular Economy.  The carton giant said it will work with industry partners to ensure that by 2030, recycling solutions are in place for all components of beverage cartons so they can be fully recycled across Europe.

Jan 18, 2018  -  More Tongan fresh produce will be exported to international markets with the opening of new pack houses in Tonga.  This should make a big difference to farmers who will be able to sell their crops and other products for export to New Zealand, said Edgar Cocker, CEO of Tonga’s Ministry Commerce, Trade, Innovation and Labour.

Jan 10, 2018  -  DS Smith’s UK packaging division has partnered with The Amazing Chocolate Workshop once again to develop and test new e-commerce packaging.  The mission of the Amazing Chocolate Workshop is to ‘take the boundaries of chocolate to a whole new level’ – creating a world of mesmerising, mind-boggling and quirky chocolate creations. Its chocolate products are hand-made to look exactly like everyday objects such as tools, cameras, kitchen utensils and other paraphernalia.

Nov 23, 2017  -  The Packaging Council of New Zealand is launching a new annual Scholarship program, in conjunction with the Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP), that will enable one packaging technologist, designer or engineer in New Zealand the opportunity to complete a Diploma in Packaging Technology to the value of $9,000.

“The association is extremely proud to be able to offer the scholarship to a New Zealand packaging professional each year,” commented Harry Burkhardt, President of the Packaging Council of New Zealand.

“The packaging industry is dynamic and diverse, offering career opportunities across a wide scope of disciplines. PAC.NZ has been representing businesses in the packaging industry in New Zealand since 1992 and recognises that investment in the packaging industry starts with investment in its people. We strongly encourage everyone in the industry to apply for this scholarship.

“The Diploma in Packaging Technology is a Level 5 qualification which is internationally recognised for those wishing to pursue a career in the packaging industry or for those who are already in the industry and who wish to extend their knowledge and expertise. The Diploma in Packaging Technology prepares students to take responsibility for packaging operations at any level through the supply chain. The qualification is comprehensive, and provides an opportunity to study the principles of packaging, packaging materials and packaging processes.”

Diploma in Packaging Technology students come from a variety of backgrounds and disciplines, and are typically experienced practitioners or managers in technical, sales/marketing, QA, purchasing, engineering or design.

Completion of the Diploma in Packaging Technology demonstrates a commitment to your career and to the industry. Delegates who successfully complete the Diploma are equipping themselves for senior positions within the packaging industry.

Entries are now open with submissions closing on the 23rd of February 2018. The winner of the inaugural Packaging Council of New Zealand Scholarship will be announced at the 2018 Packaging & Processing Innovation & Design Awards; which will be held alongside of the prestigious international WorldStar Packaging Awards on 2 May.

| A NZ Packaging Council release  ||  November 23,  2017   |||

1 NOV Ξ  Asian beauty brands now have a new source for packaging, design services and the latest in global trends. Recognising the steady growth of Asian domestic markets, Quadpack Industries is expanding its presence in the region.

The international packaging group has created a dedicated sales operation to service brands and contract fillers in the Asia Pacific region, led by Regional Director Jason Smith.

"It's a natural evolution of our business and a key element of our larger organic growth plans," says Smith. "We already have an established office in Australia and New Zealand and, since our merger with Collcap, an unrivalled presence across Asia, with a supply chain and QA team spread across China, Hong Kong, Korea and Taiwan. Now the different domestic markets are maturing, the time is right to start building relationships with local brands."

Around a third of the world's beauty packaging spend comes from Asia. It accounts for half of the world's skincare market, with many global trends originating in countries like Korea and Japan. What's more, domestic markets are growing and maturing.

Jimmy Kim, Quadpack Sales Manager Asia, comments: "There's a real opportunity for a packaging solutions provider like us – with global experience, a unique portfolio, our own manufacturing capability and a proven track record in Europe – to help these brands perform both locally and internationally."

Headquartered in Europe, Quadpack has been present in Asia since its inception in 2003. The company's Australian office is celebrating its 10th anniversary of servicing the leading brands in Australia and New Zealand this year. The Melbourne and Hong Kong offices will act as joint headquarters for Quadpack Asia Pacific. The Hong Kong office is also moving to new, larger offices in November in anticipation of increased activity.

Quadpack aims to secure 1% of the €6.5 billion Asian market in the next five years, growing to become a key strategic sales region along with Europe and Americas.

| A Quadpack release  ||  November 2,  2017   |||

Hilton Food Group plc (“Hilton”), the leading specialist international meat packing business, is pleased to announce it is to proceed with plans to expand its packing capability to New Zealand.

Hilton will construct a new meat processing facility in Auckland and supply Progressive Enterprises Ltd (“Progressive”), New Zealand’s leading retailer, trading as Countdown Supermarkets. As Progressive Enterprises LTD is also part of the Woolworths Ltd this development further strengthens Hilton’s existing relationship with Woolworths Ltd.

The development will take place as an extension of the existing site, and is subject to government approvals and the negotiation and finalisation of construction and tenure agreements. It is proposed that Hilton’s newly formed subsidiary, Hilton Foods New Zealand, will finance the new food packing facility, with commencement of production targeted for 2020.

The new facility will be capable of supplying Progressive stores in New Zealand with a range of beef, lamb, pork, chicken and added- value products. It is expected that Hilton’s investment in plant and equipment will be approximately NZ $ 54 m.

This announcement contains inside information which is disclosed in accordance with the Market Abuse Regulation.

| A Hilton Food Group release  ||  October 16,  2017   |||

Packaging Innovations London 2017 | London event sees big names and record visitors

With over 4,300 visitors in attendance over the two days, Packaging Innovations and Luxury Packaging London 2017 was the most successful edition to date.Busy Aisle

Unilever, Bulgari, Innocent, ASDA, Superdrug, The Body Shop, Chanel, Heineken, Harrods, Dyson and Mars were just some of the major names at the show, as well as leading entrepreneurs Peter Jones from Dragon’s Den and Made in Chelsea’s Francis Boulle. Over 4,300 visitors attended over the two days viewing products and services from 180 leading exhibitors and taking in more than 18 hours of educational content.

James Drake-Brockman, divisional director, Easyfairs’ Packaging Portfolio, commented: “What a show! Not only did we welcome more visitors and host more suppliers than ever before, but we also successfully introduced ourNew for 2017, The Pentawards Conference brought together the best and brightest from the packaging design industry, covering everything from the best ways to tell a brand’s story and how to deliver innovation through design, to the added value possibilities when designing through technology. Some of the brands and agencies passing on their knowledge included Bulletproof, COTY, ButterflyCannon, Diageo and Kinneir Dufort.

Speaking at the Pentawards Conference, Asa Cook, creative director, Design Bridge London, discussed ‘packaging design for the goldfish era’. Commenting on research conducted by Microsoft that shows people now have a shorter attention span than goldfish, Cook said that it is now necessary for design to ‘tell a story quickly and through multiple media’ to avoid audiences becoming distracted. Cook concluded that, in an age of social media, if you succeed in creating something engaging, ‘consumers will create the advertising for you’ and they will do it organically.

Continue to read the PackagingNews release by Toby Corbin here . . .

| A PackagingNews release  ||  September 20,  2017   |||