A Sydney-based packaging firm named Smart Lid has appointed a European manufacturer to produce its colour-changing coffee lids.
Macpac SA will implement the disposable lids into its Greek facility later in the year for export throughout Europe and Russia.
The Smart Lid is a colour-changing disposable beverage lid that warns of hot contents by turning bright red.
The lid returns to its ‘cold’ colour as the hot drink cools.
The technology draws attention to the hot liquid with the purpose of warning those around of the potential scald danger.
Australian Anthony Bayss, who co-founded Smart Lid, launched the lid into the local market in 2013 and has since won eight international awards for his innovation.
“We used to work here in Australia with Rema Industries but they have gone through a management restructure,” Bayss told PKN.
“We've been able to complete commercial testing here, which allowed us to show our samples overseas.
“Within six to eight months we've had 10 to 12 large distribution enquiries, all from Europe.”
At the moment, the enthusiasm in Europe is stronger than in anywhere else in the world.
“There's an eagerness to try new packaging technology in Europe that you don't see elsewhere,” he said.
“Ours is a premium, stand-out product that gives customers a 'wow' factor, so it helps to provide an edge on the competition, especially when the customer chooses such things as customised embossing on the cup and lid.”
Australia is also part of the global picture, but a small part.
The scale-up process will involve aligning The Smart Lid with like-minded businesspeople in the US and Asia into the future.
“Very large companies [in the US] are currently locked into supply contracts so we plan to prove ourselves in Europe first,” Bayss said.
The technology is suited to cafes, fast food chains, and aged-care facilities.
The Smart Lid is recyclable in the same way as other white coffee lids, and has received FDA and EU direct food-contact compliance.
