Packaging Strategies spoke with Jeff Wooster, global sustainability director for Dow Packaging and Specialty Plastics, on the transition to a pouch for Kellogg's sub-brand Kashi and its Bear Naked Granola line.

Massman Automation Designs LLC's GP-M3000 pouch filling system, with its precise capabilities, have made it especially attractive to packagers of cannabis flowers in the growing cannabis industry, which requires precision pouch filling and handling.

Amcor’s ULTRA pouches are now certified for vaporized hydrogen peroxide sterilization as well as steam sterilization at 134°C. This means that ULTRA pouches can provide a one-stop solution for the sterilization of all reusable medical devices.

GoGo squeeZ®, the leading brand in healthy portable fruit pouches for kids, plans to unveil 100% recyclable packaging in the market by 2022. The recyclable packaging will have no aluminum layer in the pouch.

Haney, a global leader in package prototyping, has produced first-of-its-kind sustainable fashion packaging for designer Heron Preston using HP Indigo printing and cellulose-based materials from Futamura.

Opal Fruits was first launched in the U.K. in 1960, but were aligned with the global brand name Starburst in 1998. Since then there has been an increasing appetite for retro sweets — and a growing campaign on social media to bring back the popular fruity chews.

Shoppers will be looking to discover new seasonal citrus favorites for an extra boost of vitamin C this winter. Frieda’s will be offering new grab-n-go citrus pouches for two new items this year: mandarinquats and lemonade lemons.

Industry experts foresee continue growth in the flexible packaging industry, fueled by two developments: increasing consumer demands for convenient packages, and an industry push for sustainable, shelf-ready product designs, according to the Flexible Packaging Market Assessment produced by PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies.

McDonnell has served as a board member since 2010, and as the vice chair and director of business development since 2015.