PKN presents the October edition of The Packaging Innovation Edit, a curated selection of standout global packaging innovations. Produced in collaboration with ThePackHub, this series highlights innovations advancing packaging design and function.
This edition explores how packaging design can improve accessibility, reduce material consumption and extend the useful life of packs. From Braille printed directly onto glass and a nationwide foodservice reuse initiative to digitally printed paper packaging, reusable closures and a gift pack that becomes a decorative keepsake, the five developments demonstrate how innovation can deliver value beyond packaging's primary function.
Raised printing brings Braille to glass packaging
Brazilian glass packaging manufacturer Wheaton has developed a 3D screen-printing process that creates raised tactile elements directly on glass containers, including Braille characters to support product identification by blind and visually impaired consumers.
The technology extends conventional screen-printing decoration by producing embossed features that can be detected through touch. Applying raised information directly to the glass allows selected product details to be communicated without requiring an additional label or modifications to the underlying glass mould. The process can also produce tactile patterns, shapes and textures alongside conventional decorative graphics.
The approach allows existing glass packaging designs to incorporate an additional communication function while retaining their original shape and visual identity. It could be particularly useful for products with limited label space or where tactile differentiation supports identification.
Accessibility performance will depend on factors including the height, spacing, positioning and legibility of the raised characters, as well as the amount of information that can be accommodated on the container.
ThePackHub's View: The use of 3D screen printing provides a way of integrating raised Braille and other tactile features onto existing glass formats without making those features dependent on the primary container mould.
PKN Comment: Accessibility deserves a more prominent place in packaging innovation. Integrating Braille directly into glass decoration could make inclusive design easier to adopt without requiring brands to invest in new moulds. The critical consideration will be ensuring the tactile information meets accessibility requirements and remains legible throughout the pack's life.
Supplier: Wheaton Group | Market: Health & Beauty | Innovation type: 3D Printing, Consumer communication, Consumer interaction, Ease of use, Pack decoration, User convenience | Substrate: Glass
South Korea targets disposable foodservice packaging
South Korea's Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment is introducing a packaging-reduction programme covering approximately 22,000 coffee shops, fast-food restaurants, bakeries and independent cafés, combining reusable cup adoption with measures to eliminate unnecessary disposable packaging components.
Under the initiative, drinks consumed on the premises will increasingly be served in reusable cups, while customers who bring their own tumblers or reusable cups can receive incentives of up to KRW800 (approximately £0.44) per beverage.
The programme also addresses several established single-use packaging practices. Straws will no longer be supplied automatically, instead being made available on request. Double-cupping, where a plastic cup is placed inside a paper cup for insulation, will also be reduced.
Participating businesses are expected to move away from difficult-to-separate formats, including PET cans containing both plastic and metal components.
Rather than introducing a single alternative pack, the programme combines reuse, material reduction and simplified packaging construction across a large foodservice network. Its effectiveness will depend on customer participation, cup return rates, washing infrastructure and consistent implementation across participating outlets.
ThePackHub's View: Applying reuse and material-reduction measures across a large foodservice network could reduce the volume of disposable packaging used per serving.
PKN Comment: The scale of this initiative makes it particularly relevant to the broader packaging industry. Rather than relying on individual businesses to drive change, South Korea is pursuing coordinated measures across thousands of outlets. The results could provide useful evidence on consumer participation, operational costs and the practicalities of reducing single-use packaging across a major foodservice network.
Market: Beverage, Food | Innovation type: Consumer interaction, Material reduction, Material substitution, Reusable packaging, User convenience | Substrate: Metal, Paper, PET, Plastic
Digital printing lifts brown paper branding
Mondi has developed a brown paper-based packaging solution for Kärcher's S 4 Twin Go!Further push sweeper, using multi-colour digital printing to reproduce vivid brand graphics while retaining the natural appearance of the brown substrate.
The packaging incorporates a white base layer beneath the printed graphics to improve colour accuracy, contrast and image clarity. This allows Kärcher's distinctive yellow branding, product information, fine typography and EAN barcodes to remain clearly visible and scannable without requiring a fully white outer surface.
The direct computer-to-print process eliminates the need for conventional printing plates, allowing production volumes to be adjusted more closely to demand. This supports shorter print runs, design changes and reduced levels of excess printed packaging stock.
Mondi uses water-based inks certified by Swiss Quality Testing Services for primary packaging applications. The combination of digital printing and white underprinting extends the visual capabilities of brown paper packaging while retaining essential retail information and providing greater production flexibility.
ThePackHub's View: The combination of white underprinting and multi-colour digital printing addresses colour reproduction and barcode legibility challenges associated with brown paper-based packaging.
PKN Comment: Digital printing offers brands a way to retain the natural appearance of brown paper without sacrificing graphic quality or barcode performance. Beyond the visual result, the ability to produce shorter runs without printing plates could help packaging converters and brand owners respond more efficiently to changing demand while reducing obsolete printed stock.
Brand: Kärcher | Supplier: Mondi | Market: Consumer Goods | Innovation type: Digital print, Material substitution, Pack decoration, Shelf stand out | Substrate: Ink, Paper
Reusable clip replaces corrugated box tape
German company E-K-S has developed the EKS 1601.0, a detachable closure designed for corrugated cardboard packaging that requires repeated opening and closing during industrial handling, production or internal logistics.
The clip creates a mechanical connection between multiple layers of corrugated board and accommodates wall thicknesses of up to 16.5mm. Unlike adhesive tape, which generally needs to be replaced after opening, the closure can be removed and reused without applying additional adhesive or damaging the board surface through repeated tape removal.
The design is intended to preserve the condition of corrugated packaging during multi-stage production and distribution, potentially extending the number of times a box can be reused.
At end of life, the clip can be separated from the corrugated board for material-specific recycling. The EKS 1601.0 is available in several material variants, including one manufactured from 100 per cent post-consumer recycled polypropylene and a sugarcane-based alternative.
Rather than requiring a complete redesign of the corrugated pack, the innovation changes the closure mechanism, allowing existing box formats to be adapted for repeated access.
ThePackHub's View: The detachable clip provides a practical alternative to adhesive tape for corrugated packaging that requires repeated access, potentially reducing adhesive consumption and surface damage during internal handling.
PKN Comment: Not every packaging improvement requires a new material or a complete structural redesign. For businesses using corrugated boxes repeatedly within manufacturing and distribution operations, a removable closure could extend pack life and reduce tape consumption. The commercial case will depend on clip durability, handling efficiency and whether the closures remain in circulation.
Supplier: E-K-S | Market: Consumer Goods | Innovation type: Ease of use, Material reduction, Recycled materials, Reusable packaging, User convenience | Substrate: Plastic, PP, rPP
Advent calendar becomes decorative lantern
UK-based Delta Global has developed a reusable advent calendar for luxury fashion retailer Net-A-Porter that transforms into an illuminated decorative keepsake once its contents have been removed.
Known as The Lantern, the packaging features a locking lid and base housing 15 bespoke cartons, arranged to maximise internal volume while allowing space for branding. Each internal carton contains an individual gift and incorporates a paper tab to facilitate opening.
Once the cartons have been removed, the outer structure converts into a decorative lantern illuminated by low-energy LED lights that project a starry night sky effect.
The design uses a Japanese lock mechanism instead of magnets to secure the lid, combining durability with a crafted finish. The lighting component can also be removed to facilitate recycling when the lantern eventually reaches the end of its useful life.
By incorporating a secondary function into the original packaging structure, the concept is intended to encourage consumers to retain and reuse the outer pack rather than discard it after the advent countdown.
ThePackHub's View: The Lantern illustrates how advent calendar packaging can extend beyond single use into a reusable decorative item, offering brands a model for reducing waste while maintaining premium presentation, though its reliance on a removable LED component for recyclability depends on consumers following the intended disassembly process.
PKN Comment: Premium gifting packaging often involves substantial material use for a relatively short period of consumer engagement. Designing the outer structure as a decorative object offers a way to extend its useful life, although the environmental benefit will ultimately depend on whether consumers retain and use the lantern rather than treating it as another disposable seasonal item.
Brand: Net-A-Porter | Supplier: Delta Global | Market: Consumer Goods | Innovation type: Easy open, New format, Pack decoration, Premiumisation, Reusable packaging, Secondary packaging, User convenience | Substrate: Board, Paper
We're bringing The Packaging Innovation Edit to you LIVE at APPEX 2027, from 16-19 March, at the MCEC in Melbourne. ThePackHub CEO Paul Jenkins will be attending in person, with daily talks and innovation from around the globe on display.
