Crazy About Packaging: Conversations with the C.A.P. Pack

Around the world, governments are taking a keen interest in sustainability and food-safety — which means they’re implementing regulations that have a big impact on the packaging industry. Whether it’s California or the UK, sustainable food packaging regulations and those related to chemicals in food packaging are already having a big effect on manufacturers.

In our latest episode of the Crazy About Packaging podcast, the C.A.P Pack explores our experiences with packaging regulations and the changing industry landscape.

CPG manufacturers around the world have several great reasons to replace polystyrene packaging materials:

Considerations must be made for each step in the process, from pre-production all the way to “end of life” recycling, and every one of them is important. Even the smallest oversight can become a significant issue or a costly mistake. That’s why companies need to make sure they choose the right replacement materials from the start. Here are the 6 considerations you should keep in mind when searching for a new packaging material.

Companies in the food packaging industry are starting to recognize the name “XPP.” This 100% polypropylene rigid packaging solution is the ideal replacement for polystyrene (PS) in thermoformed & form-fill-seal (FFS) food packaging applications.

If you’re wondering what makes XPP so revolutionary, then you’re in luck. The C.A.P. Pack is back to answer these questions and more. In episode four of our podcast, we explain why finding a suitable PS replacement is so challenging, and how the discovery and development of XPP is an incredibly ideal solution to transition out of PS.

The demand for sustainable packaging and increased recycling is both understandable and reasonable. However, it is a surprisingly complex issue that affects every aspect of the packaging industry, such as processing, manufacturing, transportation, and distribution of consumer packaged goods.

The C.A.P. Pack returns for episode 3 to discuss the scope of challenges in recycling a variety of plastics and reintegrating those recycled materials into production lines. We also share our insights on the best ways to move forward at an industry-wide scale.

Polystyrene (PS) has a long and successful history in the world of packaging. It has been the gold standard for rigid thermoformed food and medical packaging applications.

In episode two, the C.A.P. Pack has assembled to talk about the history of polystyrene, the characteristics that make it so extraordinary, and why so many people and organizations have decided that it needs to go. They also dive into the extraordinary challenges of finding an acceptable PS replacement, and how a 15-year journey led to the development of XPP — the “unicorn material” that can finally replace polystyrene.

We’re excited to launch our latest venture, the Crazy About Packaging (C.A.P.) podcast, where we’ll cover all the latest news in the packaging industry.

Want a sneak peek of our first episode? Here are some of the highlights:

Who is ICPG? Learn how ICPG has grown from our inception to becoming a true solutions provider. We strive to understand, innovate, and bring great solutions to the market.

What’s going on with plastic? The sustainability of plastics packaging has come under fire, particularly within the last few years, but the industry as a whole has been working to address this challenge for a long time. Learn more about how the industry has tried to address the issue over the years (and what’s coming).

What does it mean for packaging to be sustainable? When designing packaging for an application, there are several questions that should be asked. What is the value chain of this product — how will it be used after its initial purpose? Can it be recycled, reused, or repurposed?

Why is the type of packaging a business uses important? It’s critical for manufacturers to ensure they’re selecting the right materials or mix of materials. Color, additives, and other cosmetic factors are important, but it’s also essential to consider sustainability when selecting materials.

What can we expect from this podcast? This podcast is going to be about packaging, specifically plastics packaging. We'll talk about particularly innovative materials and innovations in packaging applications, especially when it comes to sustainability, product development, and innovation.