Weekly Roundup: Intertek's quality assurance scheme for e-commerce packaging, Heidelberg awarded for successful digitization strategy

17 Aug 2018 --- The weekly roundup is PackagingInsights' collection of additional global packaging stories from the past week. Smurfit Kappa launched a novel, portable and sustainable chair ahead of the Pope's visit to Ireland and Stonyfield Organic has released a range of yogurt snacks which are optimized for eating on the go, as they do not require a spoon. Heidelberg has received an award noting its ongoing internal and external digitization strategy and, lastly, Intertek has introduced a quality control scheme aimed at e-commerce in a bid to curb the levels of damaged packages.

In brief: Product launches and certifications
Smurfit Kappa has worked with a local entrepreneur to launch a portable and sustainable chair ahead of the Pope’s visit to Ireland. The chair, which is sold flat and takes seconds to assemble, is made from corrugated board and can withhold a weight of up to 100kg. The design features an image of the Pope and the chair is 100 percent recyclable. Speaking about the innovative new product, the local entrepreneur, John McGarry, says: “I heard that people could be on their feet for up to eight hours when they go to see the Pope. This chair is very lightweight and has a handle, so it’s completely portable.”

As a further commitment to creating better for you grab-and-go options for kids and parents, Stonyfield Organic, a US organic yogurt maker, has introduced new snack-packs which do not require a spoon. The packs feature a duo of creamy organic low-fat yogurt paired with either organic graham crackers or organic pretzels for dipping. The yogurt snacks are packaged in a rigid plastic container with a sealed lid which retains freshness and ensures easy-opening.

Heidelberg has received an award noting its digitization strategy (both internal and external) from The Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering (WZL) at the RWTH Aachen University in cooperation with Complexity Management Academy GmbH. Heidelberg is in the process of digitizing its internal and external processes across the board under the motto “Heidelberg goes digital.” This includes product and portfolio management. Of the fourteen success factors identified, Heidelberg has successfully implemented the highest number.

In brief: Miscellaneous
As the e-commerce sector booms, packages must be evaluated in how they will hold up during transit. It has been estimated that one in ten packages purchased through e-commerce arrives to the consumer damaged. Therefore, Intertek, a Total Quality Assurance provider to industries worldwide, is introducing a packaging performance testing facility in its Grand Rapids, Michigan laboratory. The facility, which is the Company’s first packaging lab in North America to be accredited by the International Safe Transit Association (ISTA), provides end-to-end evaluation of product packages, from design to material assessment and sustainability.

By Laxmi Haigh