The issue right now is trying to define what ‘packaging from renewable sources’ actually means, and to provide methods for comparing one alternative to another.

Whether it’s carbonated soft drinks (CSDs), craft beer or wine, convenient, sustainable options like aluminum cans, are providing can filling and seaming manufacturers a path for innovation.

A number of macro trends are empowering beverage innovation and contract packagers/contract manufacturers are helping to fill an important need state, experts say.

The record-breaking event welcomed nearly 45,000 attendees with 2,500 exhibitors, in more than 1.25 million net square feet, according to show owner and producer PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies. PMMI also reported 457 new exhibitors this year.

With the increasingly varying package shapes and sizes, it’s becoming more challenging to pack out a truck to its capacity, maintain stability, and remove products at multiple locations.

Whether it’s SKU proliferation, evolving drink habits or packaging solutions, beverage manufacturers are tasked with keeping up with the latest trends and solutions for today’s operations, experts note.

Poised to convene 2,500 leading industry suppliers and 50,000 packaging professionals, Pack Expo International and the co-located Healthcare Packaging Expo will take place Oct. 14-17 at McCormick Place in Chicago.

As SKU proliferation continues, the need to have custom, yet functional labels is more prevalent than ever. Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) must stay up-to-date on evolving trends for flexible, reliable and efficient labeling equipment to support the ever-changing beverage market.

Beverage companies are looking for ways to eliminate ink chemicals, reduce mess, improve mark appearance and reduce the cost per mark. But the printing style, or ink requirements in the case of industry-enforced MEK-free inks is only part of the coding story.