Kristen Kazarian

Adhesives have a big job and must meet packager, retailer and consumer needs. Those that fail can lead to product loss, shipping issues, equipment slow-downs and consumer complaints.

Traditional eating patterns – three square meals per day – are no more. What was once a breakfast smoothie may serve as a late-day snack or tomorrow’s lunch. Through this haphazard way of eating, snacking has become the norm in our daily fast-tracked lives.

A fall 2016 report by Research and Markets states the cold form blister packaging market should hit U.S. $8.63 billion by 2024. Growing demand from the pharmaceutical industry and a high requirement of cold forming packs due to favorable product features are driving the growth.

Stretch wrapping equipment has a multi-purpose function of protecting the cased product, keeping the load stable, forming a tight seal and cutting off the wrap – all at high speed.

It used to be if a household cleaner smelled "strong," consumers knew it would clean their kitchen counters, bathrooms and more. Nowadays, these same consumers are seeking experiential scents, as well as looking for buzz words on labels like “clean, green, natural, sustainable.

There are many bottle types on the market for on-the-go consumers, such as PET bottles, the good old glass bottle (for products like Starbucks coffee) and even stand-up pouches.

Advancements in films – for nearly all types of packaging – continue to prove we are only touching the surface of these dominant materials. Nowadays, consumers as well as retailers pay more attention to packaging that keeps products safe, including films, when making their purchasing decision.

The robotics market in North America set new records for the first nine months of 2016. According to the Robotic Industries Association (robotics.org), 23,985 robots, valued at $1.3 billion, were ordered from North American companies in the first nine months of 2016 – an increase of 7% in units over the same period in 2015.

U.S. government-mandated serialization is creating a scramble in the pharmaceutical packaging world. Track and trace solutions must meet Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA) compliance by November of this year.

Changing lifestyles and health needs have led to the expansion of the dairy category.