Board to the Future
- Published: May 31, 2006, By Nsenga Byrd Thompson, Associate Editor
Paperboard Packaging
From industry projections to serious discussions about “future forces of change,” the Paperboard Packaging Council (PPC) Annual Spring Meeting and Conference—held March 22–24 at the Ritz Carlton–Buckhead in Atlanta, GA—had executives looking well beyond 2006. The program was designed to emphasize “the long view,” including identification of megatrends that will impact packaging choices.
Discussions by the Industry Information Committee covered results of the 2005 Waste Survey Report, the first extensive survey PPC has conducted to benchmark plant waste against an industry standard. Plans are to conduct this survey biennially to establish trends on waste data.
In the Marketing and Communi- cations Committee meeting, a new video discussing the importance of paperboard packaging (which is scheduled to air on PBS this year) was reviewed and critiqued.
During the Associate Members meeting, guest speaker John Mahaffie of Leading Futurist LLC provided an overview on scenario planning, an innovative program in which PPC members will be participating later this year.
Key highlights of the fifth annual Outlook & Strategies Conference included the “Industry Outlook” report, prepared by PPC’s outgoing chairperson, Steve Dunning, and presented by Newth Morris of Dixie Printing & Packaging. The report highlights key aspects of the PPC Trend Series: Industry Outlook and Market Data Report, prepared by Resource Information Systems Inc. (RISI), which anticipates a strong year in carton sales.
“Megatrends for Packaging” was presented by Mahaffie, who offered his view on forces that will shape the packaging business over the next decade, including the hot topic of RFID. PPC hosted the annual awards banquet for its 63rd Paperboard Packaging Competition. Judges awarded 26 Gold and 50 Excellence awards.
Beverage Carrier/Cooler Snags Innovation Award
MeadWestvaco Packaging Systems earns the Innovation Award for its Ice Pack structure, a combination beverage carrier and cooler that not only holds ice but also the water that forms once the ice melts.
The package, created for Cerveceria Cuauhtemoc Moctezuma de Tecate, is in the form of an end-load sleeve so it can be loaded via automated equipment. To achieve this, the bottom flap interconnects to the side and bottom flaps to form a watertight seal. The top flaps and gussets are folded to form a “chimney,” which is used to hold the ice.
Gluing the complex folding sequence is a manufacturing challenge, the company reports, accomplished with a Jagenberg gluer and a talented operator. Coated natural kraft was chosen for its wet strength and ability to retain water without additional coatings.
The gusseted paperboard bottom provides room for 2 in. of water, and once the product is consumed, Ice Pack can be used as a return vehicle for recycling the cans.
For a complete list of winners, visit ppcnet.org.
The President’s Award Honors Holiday Tissue Carton
Smurfit-Stone Container Corp. receives the President’s Award for its Holiday Oval Kleenex Facial Tissue box entry, created for Kimberly-Clark. From the highly reflective holographic surface to the specially placed ornament sphere graphics, this package, made of solid bleached sulfate and laminated film, is said to be unique in every aspect.
Excellence in production processes range from critical registration requirements in lamination to sheeting, offset printing, and die-cutting. The oval shape is achieved with a customized canister machine.
Lidding is a multi-step proprietary process using a combination of materials—paperboard, rigid plastic, and film—to achieve a custom closure and dispenser. The profile of the lid allows the canisters to nest together top to bottom for secure stacking and stability, resulting in improved merchandising and display opportunities in the retail environment and easier storing in the home.
