Text: Miriam Zhang
*: foodaily daily food (id: foodaily).
In the past two years, minimalist style, retro trend, cross-border, personalized. are pushing food packaging design to a new stage. Expanding packaging functions, enhancing interactive experience, and reducing environmental impact, these implicit design elements have increasingly become the mainstream of the development of the food packaging industry in the new stage.
Some time ago, the results of the WPO Worldstar Packaging Innovation Award were announced, and in this year's awards, WPO Worldstar set up more than 20 awards for non-alcoholic beverages, food, fresh fruits and vegetables, health and personal care, packaging materials and components, covering different innovative dimensions such as material, function, portability, interaction, environmental protection, and packaging design. Foodaily selected 6 from the hundreds of award-winning works in the past two sessions, and analyzed them from three aspects: detailed design, intelligent preservation, and environmental protection and low carbon, hoping to give some innovation inspiration to the food industry.
The details are real, convenient and practical
Careful thinking about the packaging design of condiments, say goodbye to "hand shaking stars".
Do you usually have the trouble of pouring too much salt? If you put less and don't taste enough, pour a little more but find that it becomes salty? Is there a small design that can better control the amount of salt used?
As we all know, Japan is a country that takes attention to detail to the extreme, and there are many small designs that reflect happiness in the packaging of condiments.
Recently, the Japan Salt Industry Center launched the "Shio Hitoburi (One Shake Salt)" bottle, which for the first time introduced an anti-spill function on the lid (patent pending): when the small mouth is shaken at any time, there is only a small amount of salt (about 0.3g) will flow out. The number, size, and location of the mouth holes in it are carefully considered so that salt is properly and effectively sprinkled on the food. The compact design not only saves the hassle of weighing, but also helps people easily control their daily salt intake.
In addition to the small opening, there is a large orifice for easy use in large quantities, making the bottle suitable for any type of dish.
Japan Salt Industry Center.
And that's not all. The cap can be opened with one hand with a simple touch of the finger. At the same time, it also has a protective device, even if it accidentally falls on the floor, it will not open, which is also very suitable for kitchen novices.
Japan Salt Industry Center.
Secondly, the bottle is printed with a corresponding pattern at each opening, which helps people identify whether it is a small or large mouth by touch. The illustration on the back of the bottle illustrates how to shake out a small amount of salt, especially how to get the right angle. In addition, there is a *** to use it.
There was also a type of edible salt in the Japanese market, and its packaging design can also solve the problem of quantitative take. It is aimed at the "Aminchi salt" (obtained by drying sea water in the sun and contains more minerals) commonly used in Japanese households.
On the new packaging of "Day Salt", there is a sign to guide the opening, and after tearing the logo, you can see a triangular incision, just pull it outward to pour out the salt, and then close the gap after use, no need to use a small spoon to scoop it.
***japanholic
Similar convenient designs are also available in China. For example, Xianzhihui launched the small fresh can chicken essence condiment in 2020, which uses a chick-shaped can, and the bottle body uses antibacterial materials and moisture-proof design, which can effectively avoid the problem that traditional chicken essence is easy to get wet and agglomerate.
Fresh benefits.
The highlight of the product packaging is the cap with its own metering function, and the amount of each pour can be accurate to 0With about 5 grams, even people with trembling hands can easily get delicious food. The size of the bottle is scientifically designed to be easy to operate with one hand, so you can say goodbye to the rush and let the delicious taste be under control.
Fresh benefits.
Hard-to-open cans? Try these solutions
Cans, as the name suggests, are easy to pull apart, but sometimes they can be nerve-wracking for users.
The so-called "easy pull" has always been conditional. Nails are required to easily pick up and pull the tab apart. But if you "accidentally" cut your nails clean, you will be embarrassed to find: either sacrifice a little fingertip meat and struggle to squeeze it under the pull ring to pick it up; Otherwise, you have to find another tool to pry the pull ring up.
In order to make cans easier to open, Toyo Seiko Co., Ltd. has developed a new buckle for the easy-to-open end of food cans. This snap fits snugly to the finger and is easy to open; It also has safety features that reduce the risk of accidental opening of the lid.
This finger fitting piece has three advantages. The first is the improvement of the fingering. The finger hangs are concave to fit the fingertips and allow the user to hold them firmly with the tips of their fingers. In addition, the increased contact area reduces fingertip pressure, which in turn reduces pain and discomfort.
The second is to reduce the risk of accidental opening. The vertices of the finger hook are tucked into the concave shape, reducing the risk of the can seam straps or other parts of the can getting under the tabs. This design not only enhances the stability of the can, but also effectively prevents accidents.
Toyo Seiko Co., Ltd.
The last advantage is the guidance of the fingertips. The unique concave shape of the can finger suspension naturally guides the user's fingertip to the center of the tab. This design improves ease of operation and prevents the user from inadvertently placing their fingers on the tab at an improper angle, as well as reducing the risk of accidental opening.
Toyo Seiko Co., Ltd.
In South Korea, there is also an innovative design around the lid of the can, which uses a different way of thinking to achieve convenience.
Yun So Hyeon, Chang Min Jeong, and Byun Ji Hyun have made some optimizations for the existing cans. There are two aspects: one is to extend the pull ring and stand on the edge of the jar; The second is to add a "fence" to the side of the tank, and one side is high and the other is low.
Puxiang.com.
Two seemingly uneventful changes have made a qualitative leap in the "convenience" of opening the lid: just push the pull tab along the slope, and when you climb to the top of the edge, the lid can be easily opened with the help of the lever principle.
Puxiang.com.
Eliminate food waste, save and be creative
Intelligent active packaging materials to extend the shelf life of food
According to the data, the total area of fruit planting in China exceeds 1536710,000 hectares, with an annual output of more than 200 million tons, but the rate of attrition in the transportation link has always been high. According to the estimation of experts from the Ministry of Agriculture, the postpartum loss rate of grain, potatoes, fruits and vegetables in China is between -25. In contrast, the average consumption rate of fruits and vegetables, meat and aquatic products in developed countries in Europe and the United States is stable at about 5.
The packaging process and scheme run through the entire chain of fresh food, which plays a vital role in food preservation and quality.
CopperProtek, a Chilean company in South America, has partnered with Amcor Flexibles to develop a package that takes advantage of some of the properties of copper to better preserve fresh and processed foods.
***amcor flexibles
The new packaging uses Lifespan copper-based film, which contains copper particles that inhibit microbial growth and extend the shelf life of food. Copper-containing packaging is suitable for cheese, as well as fresh or processed meat products such as ham, bacon, fresh chicken, etc.
***amcor flexibles
CopperProtek was founded by two mining entrepreneurs, J**ier L**in and Raul Molina. Based on the in-depth understanding of copper accumulated through mining experience, the two successfully developed copper particles with high ionic bioavailability after in-depth research, and obtained an invention patent in the United States in 2018.
Currently, the company has developed packaging that extends the shelf life of a wide range of food products, from processed meat products to fresh products such as pork, beef, cheese, etc., for up to 30 days.
Around the world, research into "smart" active packaging to extend the shelf life of food is also gaining ground.
In 2023, researchers from Nanyang Technological University in Singapore and Harvard University in the United States will collaborate to develop a "smart" active food packaging. The packaging contains a new enzyme and relative humidity-responsive antimicrobial fiber, which is electrospun from cellulose nanocrystals, zein and starch to form multi-stimulus-responsive fibers, which combine with natural antimicrobial compounds to form a mixture (such as thyme oil, citric acid, etc.) with good antimicrobial effect.
***bpossible
Experiments have shown that when food packaging made from this fiber is exposed to increased humidity or an increase in harmful bacteria, it releases natural antimicrobial compounds that kill common harmful bacteria such as E. coli and Listeria monocytogenes. After 24 hours of food exposure, the number of foodborne pathogenic bacteria Escherichia coli and Listeria monocytogenes decreased significantly, as did the fungus Aspergillus fumigatus.
What's more, at 95% relative humidity, the fibers release more antimicrobial substances than at 50% relative humidity, resulting in a significant reduction in E. coli populations. This fiber food packaging can extend the shelf life of fresh fruits by 2 to 3 days. For example, strawberries can be kept fresh for 4 days in ordinary plastic boxes and 7 days in new material packaging. The new packaging is suitable for a wide range of food types such as meat, eggs, milk, fruits and vegetables, and ready-to-eat foods.
Source: Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.
Color-changing bottle caps, know cold and know hot and clever monitoring
Driven by material science, color-changing closures are now the new driving force for product innovation. In addition to achieving a distinctive visual effect and highlighting the expressiveness on the shelf, it is possible to visually monitor the state changes of the bottle contents, making the color-changing caps increasingly popular in the market.
Coca-Cola Turkey has partnered with Crown Holdings to launch Coke aluminum can packaging with temperature-changing inks. The new packaging not only sensitively communicates temperature changes, but also enhances consumer engagement with the brand.
Coca cola.
Coca-Cola's Coke Red and Coke Zero beverage cans feature summer themes such as ice, palm trees, sandals and sailboats. At room temperature, these images are colorless, while when the drink is cold and fit to drink, they transform into colorful patterns.
Among the award-winning works this year, there is also a packaging that uses temperature-changing ink to judge whether the contents have deteriorated.
Thermoshield Australia integrates color thermochromic technology into product packaging as an optical system that dynamically changes its color appearance at pre-selected temperature switching points, forming a simple and effective visual monitoring system that acts as an "alarm" throughout the cold chain.
***thermoshield
The discoloration of the new packaging ranges from -20 to 70 and is permanent once triggered.
The new Thermoshield packaging is reusable. It does not contain BPA and phthalates and does not have any adverse effects on the contents of the package.
South Korean dairy company Maeil Milk has also launched a milk package with an expiration reminder function. The word "milk" on the outer packaging of this milk will gradually turn into "ill" over time, reminding consumers that milk may be "sick" when it expires.
***maeil milk
Plastic reduction is more environmentally friendly, green and low-carbon, cost reduction and efficiency increase
According to the 2023 Trivium report, more than 79% of consumers seek products with sustainable packaging; 80% of consumers are interested in purchasing products in refillable packaging to reduce their environmental impact; 82% are willing to pay more for sustainable packaging.
Source: trivium
How to create more value with less material is a long-term problem explored around the world.
The 500ml PET bottle weighs only 595g
The extremely low weight of the ShoulderFlex bottle was a decisive factor in this year's German Packaging Award in the "Sustainability" category. With material savings of up to 50% compared to conventional 500ml water bottles on the market, ShoulderFlex makes a crucial contribution to reducing the carbon footprint of bottlers.
Typically, lightweight bottles suffer from "turtle neck" (bottle collapse), which is designed to allow the flexible area to be overpressed when compressed, creating additional stability and improved stackability.
***shoulderflex
In addition to its outstanding performance in terms of environmental protection, the ShoulderFlex bottle model also has significant advantages in terms of production and processing. Excellent stacking can be easily achieved without additional nitrogen pressurization, and it can withstand top pressures of up to 40 kg after filling. In practical applications, it can meet a variety of harsh production conditions and market needs.
***shoulderflex
Amcor, a global consumer packaging giant, has also designed sustainable packaging solutions around PET weight reduction.
Unlike the above cases, which focus on bottle weight reduction, Amcor has opened up a new lightweight path in the direction of bottlenecks, that is, threaded bottlenecks. The company's revolutionary two-step lightweighting process, Quantum, reduces material and weight bottlenecks by more than 50 percent. After two years of research and development, this patented technology delivers sustained benefits, reduced costs, and improved packaging appearance for markets such as beverages, personal care, food, and healthcare.
Amcor.
In addition, the technology reduces manufacturing costs and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, saving energy and reducing carbon emissions compared to traditional processes. At the same time, the process also supports the use of 100%** materials.
PET bottles can reduce weight, as can the weight reduction potential of metal cans.
Last year, Japanese packaging giant Toyo Can launched an aluminum beverage can with a thinner but stronger bottom. This design removes the polyester film from the inside and outside of the tank wall, and the can wall thickness is only 0062mm, while the wall thickness of traditional two-piece cans is usually 0077mm；The arch back pressure value of the tank bottom can reach 618kpa, which fully meets the industry performance standard. The amount of aluminum used in the whole can body is reduced by 20%, and the weight after removing the mylar is reduced from 110g down to 88g, CO2 emissions are also significantly reduced.
Toyo Can Co., Ltd.
According to the data of the China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association, in 2022, the production of cans in China will be about 1.9 million tons, and the reuse rate of waste cans is as high as more than 90%, but the utilization rate of grade maintenance is low. If the weight is reduced by an average of 10 percent, about 200,000 tons of material can be saved.
Paper trays turn waste into treasure
Most of the PET food trays on the market today cannot be reused, and it is difficult to mechanically**, and most of them are landfilled or incinerated, which is incompatible with the concept of low carbon.
BASF, a global chemical giant, has teamed up with Australian food packaging manufacturer confoil to develop a paper food tray dualpakeco for dual-function ovens. The inside of the tray is coated with BASF's ecovio PS1606, a partially bio-based, compostable biopolymer specifically designed for coatings on paper or cardboard food packaging.
Oven paper tray coated with ecovio.
***dualpakeco
The DualPakeco Double Oven Tray is the first of its kind in Australia and New Zealand and is certified to Australian Standard AS 4736-2006 for compostability.
As an alternative to traditional PET packaging, DualPakeco trays can be used to hold ready-to-eat foods such as lasagna, curries, and stir-fries, to store cold or frozen foods in supermarkets, and to serve in restaurants and hot takeaways. The tray can be baked at 180 degrees for 40 minutes or microwaved.
***dualpakeco
Composting trials have shown that the dualpakeco trays can decompose into water, carbon dioxide, and nutrient-rich compound fertilizers in four to six weeks under commercial composting conditions.
See, a US-based packaging solutions provider, has also developed an industrially compostable overwrap tray made of bio-based materials to replace EPS (expandable polystyrene board) pallets. The tray is filled with USDA-certified cryovac food-grade resin with 54% renewable wood cellulose and TÜV AUSTRIA certified for soil and marine biodegradability, meaning it can be degraded by microorganisms naturally occurring in the environment.
This tray comes without add-ons (e.g. lamination, liners, labels, stickers) and is BPI (International Association of Biodegradable Products) tested and certified for industrial composting.
Sealed Air Corporation.
Summary
With the Worldstar Packaging Design Awards, it is foreseeable that:Convenience, health and sustainabilitywill continue to be a core driver of packaging design and brand communication. While new trends are emerging, they also start withImprove food quality, ensure safety, and meet consumer demandsThis is a long-term goal.
Packaging has its own tricks, and innovation never stops. Can a cleverly conceived overseas innovative packaging give enough innovation inspiration to the domestic food industry? We look forward to leaving a message at the end of the article and giving your views!
References: 1With it, my mother no longer has to worry about my cans not being opened, and the packaging manager.
2."Smart" packaging, prolonging the shelf life of food, Tibetan science.
3.NTU collaborates with Harvard team to develop "sterilizable" smart packaging to extend the shelf life of food, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.
4.New Products |Compostable double oven paper tray for ready-to-eat food packaging, Expert Committee of China Plastics Association.
5.Delicious upgrading, industry empowerment! @2022fhc Shanghai Global Food Exhibition, interpret the rhapsody of the "food" generation FHC Shanghai Global Food Exhibition.
6.pkg talkshow |Incredible temperature-changing ink technology gives Coca-Cola packaging a new lease of life! PTS Future Packaging.