Jun 30, 2026

The Truth About PET and OPS Pricing

At a Glance  OPS may look cheaper on paper, but breakage, spoilage, and shelf-life limitations can offset its cost advantage.   PET is more durable, offers better food protection, and helps reduce waste.   New EPR regulations could make OPS more expensive due to low recycling value and potential fees.   PET has stronger recycling infrastructure, PCR content […]
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Jun 18, 2026

Are Convenience Stores the New Quick Service Restaurants?

At a Glance  Convenience stores are becoming major foodservice destinations, competing directly with QSRs through fresh, prepared meals.   Consumers value speed and convenience, driving growth in grab-and-go and made-to-order food programs.   Packaging now plays a critical role in shaping quality perceptions before customers take the first bite.   Consistent, high-performing packaging helps convenience stores build trust and compete […]
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Jun 15, 2026

What Are the Differences in How Gen Z and Millennials View Food Packaging?

At a Glance Gen Z and Millennial packaging views prioritize sustainability, but food safety, freshness, shelf life, and convenience still come first when it comes to packaging decisions. Gen Z values transparency, sustainability, and product information. They want clear, specific claims about sourcing, ingredients, and environmental impact — not vague marketing language. Millennials tend to […]
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May 22, 2026

What Does Saving a Few Pennies on Packaging Actually Cost Your Food Business?

At a Glance  Cheap packaging often creates expensive problems later through leaks, refunds, food waste, and lost customer trust.   Quality tamper-evident and leak-resistant packaging helps protect food safety, presentation, and the overall customer experience.   Clear, durable packaging can improve shelf life, reduce shrink, and make products more appealing at purchase.   Packaging is no longer just a container — […]
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May 16, 2026

The Green Machine: 7 Takeaways from the Sustainable Packaging Coalition’s 2026 Impact Conference

At a Glance  Consumers are overwhelmed by sustainability messaging, and the packaging industry is realizing that confusion. Simpler, clearer communication is becoming critical.   One of the conference’s biggest themes was shifting away from technical “green” messaging toward more human, emotional, and social-media-style communication that consumers instantly understand.   Companies are recognizing that packaging performance still matters […]
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May 13, 2026

PETs: APET, CPET, DPET, rPET, and rDPET…Oh my! What’s the Difference? Let’s Get Resin-able

At a Glance  PET is the foundation of most food packaging, with APET (clear, non-crystallized) being the standard for cold and ambient applications.   CPET is heat-resistant, opaque PET used for oven-ready meals, created by crystallizing APET in a one-way process.   DPET is a more efficient, higher-performance version of APET made with fewer processing steps, offering […]
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May 01, 2026

Making Sense of Tamper Protection: What ‘Tamper-Obvious’ Really Means for Today’s Shoppers

At a Glance   Tamper-obvious packaging makes safety instantly visible from a distance, helping customers trust your product without picking it up.  Consumers make split-second decisions, so packaging must show clear, irreversible signs if it’s been opened — “evident” isn’t always obvious enough.  Subtle seals or perforations can fail to meet shoppers’ real-world expectations, leading to lost sales, shrink, and […]
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Apr 30, 2026

What’s Really Going on Behind Every Grocery Shelf Starts with Your Packaging

At a Glance  Shelf placement isn’t random — it’s controlled by category managers using planograms that prioritize margin, visibility, and overall shelf strategy.  Prime shelf space is intentional, designed to drive sales and influence customer behavior — not reward every product equally.  Packaging plays a major role: It affects how easily products are stocked, how […]
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Apr 24, 2026

Which Reheats Better: Food in Polypropylene or Aluminum Packaging?

At a Glance  Reheating polypropylene vs aluminum: Polypropylene (PP) is microwave-safe but not oven-safe; it insulates heat, often leading to uneven heating with hot and cold spots.   Aluminum conducts heat efficiently, making it ideal for ovens and delivering more even heating, better texture, and improved presentation.   Microwave use with aluminum is technically possible under controlled conditions, but not recommended due […]
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Apr 24, 2026

Is Your Convenience Store’s Grab-and-Go Working For You or Against You?

At a Glance  Packaging is the silent salesperson — clear, clean presentation builds trust and drives impulse purchases, while messy or opaque packaging kills them.   Cheap packaging (like bags) often costs more in the long run through shrink, lost sales, poor presentation, and reduced customer trust.   Clear, rigid containers that have visible tamper evidence and tamper resistance often […]
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