Over 300 leading suppliers are already signed up for Packaging Innovations 2019, which returns to Birmingham’s NEC on 27 & 28 February 2019. Now in its 14th year, the UK’s largest annual event for the entire packaging supply chain boasts its largest ever exhibitor base, with more innovation and exclusive product launches than ever before.

Macpac will be unveiling its new packaging material at the show, which promises to address many of the issues raised last year by the BBC’s Blue Planet. Alongside its new innovations, Macpac will also display its bespoke designs for both the food and non-food industries, including its Premium Plant Packaging range designed for postal delivery, which has been developed in collaboration with a major mail order plant supplier.

Also set to the address the issue of sustainability is Scandolara Eco, who will be showcasing its new sustainable PE materials, including Green HEART, an innovative product that uses recycled PE to save up to 40% of virgin materials. The company will also launch PURE Green, its eco-friendly material made of sugar cane.

Bettix will be displaying its multi-use plastic bottles for the accurate dispensing of small amounts of concentrated liquids, reducing the amount of plastic needed. Meanwhile, Plasfilms will be launching a selection of products, including its new range of bio, single layer laminate replacements and 30% recycled content films, plus three new zipper closures to its SANZIP offering.

Terphane’s offering of PET films for sealable packaging throughout the food industry will also be on display. The Sealphane® easy open line has a self-venting effect, which serves as a cover ready to release steam. It removes the need to pierce holes in the seal during the heating process of products, such as ready meals.

Sirane will be hosting its Earth Packaging range, a sustainable, recyclable and compostable packaging solution for the food and horticulture industries. This includes the Earthpouch, an award-winning, plastic-free packaging pouch which is also available as a flow-wrap film, compostable and paper-based absorbent pads for food, or breathable bio-polymer films, designed to extend shelf lives and its range of compostable plant pots.

Krehalon, manufacturers and distributers of high-quality shrink and non-shrink wrap, barrier films, bags and casings for the food industry, will be displaying its new extended range of bespoke Circular Economy packaging solutions. Its latest innovation utilises mono film structures to aid recyclability and reduce environmental concerns.

Ampacet will be displaying FauxFoil™, its sustainable alternative solution to the conventional aluminium foil and other metallised films used in flexible structures. The FauxFoil TM provides the same high reflective silver appearance, with the high gloss and shine of traditional foils and has similar light blocking attributes. However, it has a low carbon footprint and is easily recyclable when compared to conventional aluminum foil.

Item Products will be using the show to launch its new exclusive partnership with Box Latch™, the carton closure specialist. The Box Latch™ product enables corrugated packaging to be re- used by using a simple closure system, reducing the need to use tape.

Colop UK will be presenting its new jetStamp 1025 which can print up to a height of 25mm, making it ideal for marking large surfaces such as pallets and cardboard. The diverse print spectrum includes freely adjustable continuous 1-D and 2-D barcodes, dates, times, texts, numbers or graphics, such as the IPPC logo or company logo.

Croxsons will debut its new 200ml mixer bottle which offers enhanced design features for improved shelf presence, whilst Meyer Seals will be showcasing four new products which are joining its range of sealing inserts for plastic and aluminium seals. The ALKOflex™ features a consumer-perforated, aluminium-free tab that is intuitive to open; the ALKOseal™ pierce ‘n’ peel, features unique laser perforations and unlimited clean removal properties; the ALKOvent™, the world’s first technical liner to be manufactured with a bi-directional vent, and ALKOvin™ active seal, which has been specifically designed to preserve the aroma of wine.

James Drake-Brockman, Divisional Director of Easyfairs’ Packaging Portfolio, concludes: “We are very proud to have established Packaging Innovations as the best event in the packaging calendar for discovering the latest developments and technologies, and we know this is one of the key reasons why visitors choose to return to the show year after year.

“We are delighted to welcome back so many past exhibitors, along with a host of new suppliers, all with new exciting packaging solutions to share. These launches offer visitors an unrivalled opportunity to experience the most cutting-edge packaging on the market, and I for one can’t wait to walk the aisles and see them all first hand.”