All articles tagged with #packaging
AI at Biffa Polymers in Redcar uses optical and infrared imaging and image analysis to identify plastic types—even when bottles are crushed— speeding the recycling of HDPE milk bottles into food-grade pellets for new packaging; the plant has processed over 10 billion bottles in almost 20 years and relies on about 200 workers for quality and safety, with AI speeding throughput and enabling a two-week turnaround back into fridges.
SK Hynix breaks ground on a $4 billion Indiana packaging plant—the first U.S. facility for memory packaging—to position Indiana as a key source of high-bandwidth memory (HBM) by 2030, with chips manufactured in Asia and shipped to Indiana for packaging. The project is supported by CHIPS Act funds and state incentives, will create about 1,000 direct jobs plus thousands more in construction and partners, and is part of a broader U.S. expansion alongside ongoing capacity growth in Korea.
PepsiCo’s Monster Munch rebrand leans into its four-decade cast of monsters, reviving a simple, nostalgic look with a tweaked logo and updated packaging while keeping the three iconic creatures front and center; the move demonstrates how a strong mascot can endure changing packaging trends without losing its identity, contrasting with other brands that have aggressively redesigned their mascots.
A federal judge ruled Rebel Creamery infringed Van Leeuwen’s trade dress by copying its packaging, ordering a redesign and about $23.8 million in damages; Rebel then filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in Utah, marking a dramatic end for the keto ice cream brand.
Rebel Creamery filed for bankruptcy after Van Leeuwen won a 2021 trade-dress lawsuit accusing Rebel of copying packaging; a judge ordered Rebel to redesign its packaging and pay about $23.8 million in profits to Van Leeuwen, with Rebel submitting an appeal two days before the bankruptcy filing; Rebel’s products are sold in major retailers including Walmart and Target.
Utah‑based Rebel Creamery, known for its keto‑friendly ice cream sold at Walmart, Kroger, Safeway and Target, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy listing assets and debts estimated between $10 million and $50 million, days after a court found it infringed Van Leeuwen’s trade dress and ordered a packaging redesign and injunction. Van Leeuwen was awarded about $23.8 million of Rebel’s profits; Rebel had appealed the ruling two days before filing for bankruptcy.
The piece reviews concerns that canned sparkling water could carry PFAS from can linings and potentially raise colorectal cancer risk. While some studies detect PFAS in beverages, levels are usually below federal advisory limits, and no direct link to colon cancer has been proven. Experts say PFAS may contribute to cancer risk via gut inflammation or DNA interactions, but the science is evolving and inconclusive. Moderation, varied beverage choices, and attention to established colorectal cancer risk factors are advised while regulators continue researching.
Reese’s Peanut Butter Pumpkins return for Halloween 2026 after a federal judge dismissed a Florida lawsuit alleging deceptive packaging, with Hershey calling them a returning favorite and adding an Amazon-exclusive Reese’s Pumpkin Bowl; the case was dismissed for lack of financial loss.
Researchers from Kyushu University turned pumpkin peels into carbon quantum dots and, combined with plant fibers and gelatin, created a packaging film that outperformed conventional plastic by blocking UV light, inhibiting microbial growth, and preserving antioxidant activity on tomatoes after 20 days. The material is non-toxic at tested concentrations, but it’s not yet ready for commercial use and will require scaling and further testing.
California’s SB 54 would shift responsibility for packaging waste to manufacturers and push for packaging that can be reused, recycled, or composted. CalRecycle projects households could pay roughly $57–$190 more per year, while critics warn dairy and other producers may face higher costs and safety hurdles; the law is facing multiple lawsuits and begins first-phase implementation next month.
AI-driven demand is pushing Apple away from the older InFO-PoP packaging toward a Wafer-Level Multi-Chip Module (WMCM) for the A20 Pro, addressing thermal limits by separating DRAM from the die and boosting bandwidth to support larger on‑device AI workloads; rumors of LPDDR6 and other tweaks circulate, but details remain unconfirmed.
Aaron Lewis revealed that shredded copies of the cover for his upcoming, unreleased album 'Give Me Back My Country' were found in a Taylor Swift merchandise box. Lewis says he doesn’t blame Swift and was unaware of the incident until his team informed him; he questions how the art ended up as packaging material. The record is set for release July 17 through Big Machine Label Group, and reps for Big Machine and Universal Music Group did not immediately comment.
Some Japanese snack brands are shipping products with black-and-white packaging as ink supplies dwindle due to disruptions tied to the Iran conflict, with manufacturers cutting ink usage to reduce costs and avoid delays; the impact varies by brand and product.
Tokyo’s Calbee will switch 14 snack packages to black-and-white to conserve ink amid disruptions tied to the Iran war; the contents remain the same and the change, effective May 25, is intended to keep product supply stable under geopolitical pressures.
Japan's Calbee will temporarily switch 14 popular snacks to black-and-white packaging because ink ingredients have been disrupted by the Iran war, with new packs rolling out in Japan from May 25 as naphtha prices rise and Middle East tensions affect global supply chains.