In addition to world packaging events going all digital, companies themselves have stepped up and taken control of showcasing their new products to a broad audience by creating their own virtual press events.

Designed to power innovation across the industry, PMMI’s PACK EXPO Las Vegas and co-located Healthcare Packaging EXPO, Sept. 23-25, will cover 900,000 net sq. ft. of exhibit space, with 2,000 exhibitors and 30,000 attendees from nearly every market.

Three experts from around the industry weigh in on the latest trends, technologies and practices that brands can leverage to effectively tackle multiplying stock keeping units (SKUs) and bolster efficiency, sustainability, security and brand experience through customization and personalization.

Packaging Strategies spoke with Dow market manager Chris Gandy and associate marketing director Heather Turner about Dow’s Design for Recyclability platform and the evolution of recyclable pouches designed to fit the circular economy.

OMAC and OPC Foundation jointly released a PackML OPC UA Companion Specification in 2018 — a nearly two-year effort to standardize how PackML information should be modeled in OPC UA. Since its release, technical solution providers have started to create real implementations of the specification.

PACK EXPO Las Vegas 2019, co-located with Healthcare Packaging EXPO 2019, is the year's most comprehensive packaging event on the continent. The shows will offer the latest packaging technologies to help manufacturers improve operations and stay competitive.

Bemis Company Inc. is the winner of this year’s prestigious FPA Highest Achievement Award for their Molson Coors 12-Pack Cooler Bag. The bag also won two Gold Awards for Expanding the Use of Flexible Packaging and Printing & Shelf Impact, and a Silver Award for Packaging Excellence. The Cooler Bag creates a fresh take on the ubiquitous beer carton.

PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, owner and producer of the PACK EXPO portfolio of trade shows, as promoted Laura Thompson to vice president, Trade Shows. Thompson previously served as senior director, Expositions.