Eco-Innovation
Caraustar showcased Environmentally Smart grades of paperboard in cream and natural options.
The PLMA 2009 Trade Show non-food booths were jam-packed with innovative and eco-friendly products.
PLMA 2009 showcased plenty of innovation and the non-food booths were no exception. From fresh packaging ideas to inventive products there was a plethora of fantastic ways for retailers to draw attention to their private label brands. Products on display proved over and over again that private label products aren’t just an affordable choice for consumers, but often suppliers are pioneering new solutions for consumers’ needs.
Packaging Perfection
One need addressed at the show was the demand for eco-friendly innovation. This was seen throughout the show in many ways and green packaging was no exception.
Cascades, Eau Claire, WI, showcased Eco Bistro, its packaging line for take-out food, made from recycled fibres. The paperboards are printed with environmental inks that are extremely low in V.O.C. (maximum of 2% of volatile organic components per kg). Cascades produces, converts and markets packaging and tissue products composed mainly of recycled fibres. Its tissue paper products include paper hand towels, paper towels, bathroom tissue, napkins and facial tissue. With16 manufacturing and converting plants located in North America it’s the fourth largest manufacturer of tissue paper in that region.
Caraustar, Austell, GA, which claims to be number one in recycled paperboard production in the U.S., showcased a new item that could be the answer to retailers’ sustainable paperboard needs. Caraustar’s Environmentally Smart (ES) grades of paperboard come in ES Cream and ES Natural and are perfect for customers looking for a natural look.
It’s likely if you were at the show you saw attendees toting information around in black and white bags advertising Yupo Corporation America, Chesapeake, VA. The largest synthetic paper manufacturer in the Western Hemisphere creates 100-percent recyclable synthetic paper that uses no trees, no toxins and very little water in its creation. Its synthetic In-Mold Label substrates allow the freedom to create bottles of any design or shape and come in a Yupo Sustainable option for significant source reduction.
Alpha Packaging, St. Louis, MO, has established a presence in the personal care packaging scene with its considerable growth in the past five years. Now, with its acquirement of the Technigraph Corporation, Alpha can offer innovative services to retailers that require multi-color, high-speed, tightly registered screen printing, pressure sensitive labeling and other demanding decorating processes.
Al-Pack compostable bags are certified by the Biodegradable Products Institute and come in multiple sizes. Shown here are mini kitchen bags and lawn and leaf drawstring bags.
Avery Dennison, Pasadena, CA, was a hot booth at the show with its new steam valve system. The company develops innovative identification and decorative solutions for businesses worldwide. Its self-venting steam valve controls the rate of steam escaping the package so manufactures and packagers of food can more accurately tailor their packaging to meet cooking requirements without changing the basic construction of the package.
Praiseworthy Plastic
Eco-friendly isn’t usually a word that pops into mind when you think of disposable tableware, but a few companies have come up with products that might change that. One of them is Plastic World, Inc., Ontario, CA. Plastic World manufactures a wide selection of high quality plastic products, including biodegradable forks, knives and spoons. The disposable items are made from cornstarch. All three items come in pink, black and natural color options, ensuring they’re attractive to both the earth and the consumer.
Attendees looking for a 100% biodegradable bag could find plenty of options at Al-Pack Enterprises Ltd., Moncton, N.B., Canada. Its certified compostable bags come in 14, 39 and 3.7-gallon options, as well as a 48-inch by 60-inch size. The bags are made from ALP-8020 film that is manufactured on Al-Pack’s new 3-layer extrusion line.
Five sizes of food containers are the latest thing from Berry Plastics, Evansville, IN. The attractive, reusable containers with lids feature a large tab for easy opening and a secure closure for leak-proof seals. On the environmental side, 33-gallon compostable trash bags were spotlighted at the show. The bags meet yard waste ordinance requirements in many cities and meet ASTM D-6400 requirements.
UAS Laboratories offers probiotic specialties along with technical support, technical writing, and consulting services.
Premium disposable tableware is even more convenient for customers with a new, innovative line from Huhtamaki, De Soto, KS. One of the world’s largest packaging companies debuts a microwavable private label plastic tableware line this January. Additionally, Huhtamaki offers 18-oz. Swirl Grip Design Cups that provide a non-slip grip and a private label product to compete with Solo.
Webster Industries, Peabody, MA, a full-line, national manufacturer and supplier of plastic products, is continuing the company’s focus on innovation and building on the success of its store brand recycled content trash bags. New products include double zipper storage and freezer bags, XtremeGrip Flexible Drawstring Kitchen Bags, and Easy Twist Twist Top Containers. Webster was the first company to receive independent certification for recycled content plastic trash and kitchen bags from Scientific Certification Systems. The recycled content products are available in various formulations, including 65% recycled content with 10% post-consumer material.
Presto Products Company, Appleton, WI, a leading supplier of storage bags, disposer bags, containers and plastic wrap, offers eco-friendly products too. At PLMA Presto Products showcased a smartly designed, 32-oz. storage container. The shallow, rectangular shape offers increased surface area for maximum convenience and functionality, allowing for easy storage, reheating and serving. The versatile, crack-resistant lid is also compatible with the 64-oz. Deep Dish container.
Noteworthy
Associated Hygienic Products LLC (AHP), Duluth, GA, has been manufacturing, marketing and selling disposable baby diapers and training pants for customers in North America since 1984. AHP highlighted a fresh new look for Kroger diapers under the new Comforts for Baby line and for Target under the new Up & Up line. AHP works with retailers to create an emotional connection between moms and store brands, while keeping in mind “consumers want the best diaper for the money.”
Rostam, Lincoln, RI meets the needs of women with a full line of tampons and over 25 years of tampon manufacturing experience and “uncompromising quality standards.” With strong double-digit growth in the category Rostam has been busy creating custom wrappers for all of CVS’s store brand tampons, launching a compact product this past summer and offering a new website to its customers.
Hospeco, Cleveland, OH, currently markets a complete line of Protective Apparel through its commercial distribution division for sale into the safety market and is introducing a complete line of disposable gloves – latex, nitrile, vinyl, and disposable masks – N95 for private label. Hospeco is also upgrading their Bladder control product line to follow the changes made by the national brand and is introducing a male guard for private label. Hospital Specialty is expanding their product line to include new individually wrapped Thin Pantiliners and is offering to individually wrap all of the liners they offer for private label as an added feature.
Lighting the path to an energy-saving world is Feit Electric, Pico Rivera, CA, a leading manufacturer of light bulbs with a specialty in energy-efficient lighting. Two new product lines were presented, the Accent LED line and the Performance LED line, which run on a fraction of the energy required by halogen or incandescent bulbs.
Lighting things up the old-fasioned way can sometimes be dangerous. According to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission there was a 25.8 percent increase in lighter fluid accident related injuries from 2007 to 2008. Tiger Tim offers a solution to lighter fluid safety concerns with all natural charcoal lighters that can’t spill, leak, squirt, be inhaled or easily swallowed.
Hospital Specialty continues to expand their National brand or better external feminine hygiene product line to include new individually wrapped Thin Pantiliners. The 20 count is available in a 12-count display tray. Hospeco will individually wrap its liners for private label. They will be accelerating feature changes on their complete line this year to remain a step ahead.
WBM International, Newark, NJ, is the first Himalayan salt lamp manufacturer in compliance with ISO:9001-2000 specifications. WBM makes products that overlap into various industries, from health, beauty, decor, and food to general houseware. Its Himalayan salt lamps claim to emit negative ions that fight against positively charged particles that cause consumers to feel stuffy and sluggish. According to WBM, people with asthma often find the lamps helpful in reducing their symptoms and many medical practitioners recommend using these lamps to help relieve depression and fatigue.
For a number of well researched, tested probiotic formulations one needed to look no further than the UAS Laboratories, Eden Prairie, MN. With 30 years of experience in private label serving over 33 countries, UAS Labs offers non-dairy, gluten free, soy-free and non-GMO probiotic specialties along with technical support, technical writing, and consulting services. UAS Laboratories probiotics are the source of a special strain of Lactobacillus acidophilus and can be used as an aid under conditions of digestive disorders and following antibiotic therapy.
Products include Probioplus DDS, DDS-Plus, DDS-Junior, Multi-Flora ABF, UAS Joint Formula and more.
Ranir, Grand Rapids, MI, no doubt gave attendees looking for oral care products something to smile about. Some of the new products shown at PLMA included SmileSonic Replacement Brushheads to compare to Philips Sonicare E Series Replacement Power Brushheads, the Rest Assured Extra Comfort Nite Protector guaranteed to fit any mouth, the Grande Denture Brush with Deep-Clean Pick designed to clean dentures and bridges thoroughly and quickly, and the Orbit Sensitive toothbrush to compare to the Colgate 360° Sensitive Toothbrush.
Tower laboratories LTD., Centerbrook, CT, showcased its newest item, overnight whitening Effervescent Denture Cleanser Tablets. The company’s product line includes denture cleanser tablets, antacids, cold medications, laxatives, potassium supplements, instant soft drink tablets and bath tablets.
U.S. Nonwovens Corp., Brentwood, NY, announced an exciting, patent-pending innovative product as well. Its first ever single-use instant Hand Sanitizing Gel Cards kill 99.9 percent of germs. The brand-new technology is easy to travel with since shoppers can fold the card in half to open and sanitize hands and discard the Gel Card when done. The easy to carry design fits in purses, lunch boxes and pockets and helps people sanitize hands even on the go.
Premier Brands of America, Mt. Vernon, NY, has been at the forefront of green innovation since 1998, when it started recycling scrap foam from its popular foam shoe insole into stuffing for lawn furniture. Beginning with the dual gel insoles, Premier is converting the blister package to a new PET roll stock produced from recycled bottles and an innovative easy-open, zipper feature.
Global Tissue Group, Bohemia, NY, showcased its line of paper products, which includes a variety of paper towels, bath tissue, napkins and facial tissue. Global also has a new website coming soon and is moving to Medford, NY.
Royal Paper, Los Angeles, CA, offers a complete line of sanitary paper products including bath tissue, kitchen roll towels, luncheon napkins and facial tissue. Royal Paper’s newest division, American Premier Products, produces moist wipes in a variety of packs and sizes.
Performance Packaging of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV, provides an array of packaging materials, which can be custom converted to client’s specifications, but Performance stood out this year with its stand-up pouch. The stand-up pouch offers packaging source reduction, reduced transportation costs, better shelf appeal and many more benefits. Performance offers design, custom graphics, custom shapes and an assortment of additional services.
Texas Farm Products Company, Nacogdoches, TX, has over 75 years of experience in the feed and fertilizer business and produce affordable, safe, and nutritious commercial and companion animal foods. They said they saw a lot of traffic at the show and it’s no wonder. The company’s in-house laboratory assures purity and consistency and the state-of-the-art manufacturing facility with AIB certification demonstrates its commitment to making quality pet foods.
Presto Products Company showcased a 32-oz. storage container with a crack-resistant lid, which is compatible with the 64-oz. Deep Dish container.
Chep, Orlando, FL, issues, collects, conditions and reissues more than 300 million pallets and containers from a global network of service centers, helping manufacturers and growers transport their products to distributors and retailers. Combining superior technology, decades of experience and an unmatched asset base, CHEP handles pallet and container supply chain logistics for customers in many industries. The Chep Innovation Center is where customers will find engineers ready to design, test and validate their material handling platforms and packaging to improve the performance of a product in storage and transit.
Decision Insight, Kansas City, MO, answers what consumers do in your marketplace using online virtual environments. Its virtual shopping platform, Simushop, creates a virtual decision-making environment in order to understand how consumers make their choices. This can help with SKU optimization, pricing, new product introduction, packaging and promotions.
At Specialized Technology Resources, Enfield, CT, employees help ensure the safety, quality, and social responsibility client’s products at every stage of the supply chain, from drawing board to point of sale. The offer 60 years of experience and are on five continents. Its quality assurance programs are tailored specifically for your company and your product.
Packaging and quality is better than ever before and some retailers are missing a huge opportunity. That’s where Miller Zell, Atlanta, GA, comes in. Miller Zell designs and delivers selling environments, retail communications, and shopper experiences. Its associates come from a variety of industries. The store is where 80% of buying decisions are made, most in under 4 seconds. Miller Zell helps retailers engage shoppers and deliver an experience, not just a transaction.
Shikatani Lacroix Design Inc., Toronto, ON, helps clients who are looking to launch a new venture, reposition a product, or create an innovative environment or packaging experience. Shikatani Lacroix’s complementary strengths across visual communication disciplines ensure strategically sound, integrated design solutions for your brand. The company designs for tangible effects: measurable results, sales growth and increased consumer loyalty.
Marketing by Design, Boston, MA, a comprehensive design agency, was the company chosen to carry out Smart & Final’s private label rebranding project, which included the First Street, Simply Value and Sun Harvest lines.
Marketing by Design is staffed by professionals with diverse design and production backgrounds and has managed numerous branding efforts, including private label work for Wild Oats Markets, BJ’s, Sainsbury, Marks & Spencer, and Waitrose.
