Over 280 leading suppliers are already signed up for Packaging Innovations 2017, which returns to Birmingham’s NEC on 1 & 2 March 2017. Not only does the UK’s leading packaging event boast its largest exhibitor base to date, but it has also increased the level of innovation on offer, with more organisations launching new products and services than ever before.

Aegg Creative Packaging is officially launching its brand new service ‘mini-Aegg’ at Packaging Innovations 2017. It will allow food outlets and food producers to order smaller quantities of Aegg’s off-the-shelf premium plastic food packaging range, which is ideal for smaller, emerging businesses that are constrained by limited amounts of storage space or require smaller amounts of packaging. At the launch, Aegg will be introducing a range of over 20 of its premium packaging products to choose from within the mini-Aegg service.

Following the same theme will be Involvement Packaging, discussing its new division called OiPPS. This e-commerce brand that offers plastic and metal containers and packaging to smaller businesses and home-based start-up organisations. It provides a flexibility in selection, being able to tailor requirements to the customer’s needs. There are no minimum order quantities and customers can select a range of delivery options.

Clondalkin Flexible Packaging Grootegast will be introducing two new additions to its market leading stand up pouch range, which offers sustainable, user friendly solutions, as well as food protection and extended shelf life. Also on display will be Clondalkin's high barrier lidding film for plastic cups or trays, multi-layer laminates with aluminium, microwaveable packaging for frozen snacks, and printed bags.

Martina Fidder, Sales Manager at Clondalkin Flexible Packaging Grootegast, said: “We are very excited with the developments we have been making across our product range and are looking forward to sharing them with visitors at the show. As we're based in the Netherlands this is an exciting opportunity for us to showcase our technical expertise and innovative product range to the UK market.”

Debuting its new its M-Lock© tamper evident carton will be Firstan Cartons. The new system has a tamper evident built in mechanism. This removes the need for further processing, such as applying glue or tamper labels.

Greenearth Food Packaging will use Packaging Innovations 2017 as the launchpad for two new products. The first is Bran Tableware, which is made from 100 per cent bran fibre and includes plates, bowls, platters and cutlery. The second is Wood Carrier Trays, which are suitable for ready meals, vegetables and salad.

Those looking for glass-like clarity from polypropylene (PP), the Milliken Europe stand will feature the launch of UltraClear Polypropylene which is clarified with Milliken’s Millad® NX™ 8000 series. This offers customers a new clarity standard for PP that is comparable to glass-clear materials. In addition to offering exceptional aesthetics, the material is also very efficient with the lowest weight potential for thermoforming and sheet packaging. It has excellent heat resistance that further extends applications by enabling microwaveability and hot fill capability.

Advanta will be exhibiting its wide range of both smoothwall and wrinklewall foil containers. The smoothwall trays have a smooth rim, which allows them to be hermetically heat-sealed with standard film on high speed machines. Gas flushing techniques can also be incorporated into the filling and sealing phases of meal production. Its wrinklewall range is perfect for bakery, take-away, catering, convenience meals and desserts.

Croxsons will be focusing on adding value to glass packaging through a variety of advanced decoration techniques and closures. It will also be displaying its stunning decoration on its The House of Erick bottle live at the show.