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The Packaging Professional September/October 2007

Welcome to the autumn issue of The Packaging Professional, which focuses on packaging and the consumer. Our feature stories focus on the influence of customers on pack development, the growing need to redesign for an ageing population, and packaging that is inspired by nature.

The news section investigates non-toxic coloured materials created using nanotechnology, and a bioactive paper that can detect and destroy bacteria. The Packaging Professional team also speaks to John Bigley, Chairman of the British Aerosol Manufacturer’s Association, about the future outlook for aerosols.

News

Polystyrene nanospheres replace toxic dyes to produce structural colours

Polystyrene nanosphere dyes

With increasing concerns about the use of traditional dyes on the environment, materials that use polysytene nanospheres rather than toxic dyes to produce colour have been the subject of research by scientists at the University of Southampton, UK. The sphere size controls the wavelength which light is reflected and scattered from the film, offering new possibilities for structural colours. The materials have already attracted the interest of Unilever, Kodak, Merck and Degussa for applications ranging from packaging to automotives.

Packaging Professional Magazine, 31 Aug 2007

Destroying bacteria with bioactive packaging paper

Canadian researchers are developing a bioactive packaging paper that they believe will detect and kill bacteria and viruses present in food and drinks in a matter of seconds. Using standard paper, the Sentinel Bioactive Paper Network is developing a bioactive ink that could be printed, coated or impregnated onto or into the material, to identify individual pathogens.

Packaging Professional Magazine, 31 Aug 2007

Features

Gaining from Training - The Packaging Society training benefits

An overview of the Institute's packaging courses and the resulting career benefits.

Packaging Professional Magazine, 31 Aug 2007

Inspired by nature - Natural designs inspire packaging manufacture

There is an increasing expectation that business should be both ethical and environmentally friendly. Creative Outsourcing Solutions International, UK, are producing packs that appeal to consumers and mimic nature in their design.

Packaging Professional Magazine, 31 Aug 2007

In the can - Aerosols 2007 Congress and Exhibition

John Bigley, Chairman of the British Aerosol Manufacturers Association (BAMA), discusses new industry developments in packaging and the need to meet legislation requiring manufacturers to minimise risks asscociated with employing chemicals during production.

Packaging Professional Magazine, 31 Aug 2007

Pensioner power - Packaging problems for elderly consumers

Elderly consumers often have problems with packaging. Packaging designers who address multiple minor impairments of dexterity, mobility, memory, eyesight and hearing that affect the older age group can reap the benefits.

Packaging Professional Magazine, 31 Aug 2007

Shapely stuff - Influence of shape on product design

Products using interesting and unusual shapes to attract consumer attention.

Packaging Professional Magazine, 31 Aug 2007

Knowing your customers - The consumer/packaging development relationship

Technical advances in pack shape and colour can be optimised to appeal to the consumer's desire for convenience and aesthetic value in product design.

Packaging Professional Magazine, 31 Aug 2007

People watching – Consumer feedback influences packaging

Intelligence on how consumers actually use products can influence packaging manufacture.

Packaging Professional Magazine, 31 Aug 2007

Design from the heart - Packaging with emotional appeal

Aesthetic properties and other designs in subconscious imagery are used to evoke an emotional response from consumers to influence repurchase decisions.

Packaging Professional Magazine, 31 Aug 2007