Recently, we debuted a line of tethered caps—fitments that are more likely to be recycled because they stay attached to their packaging. Our tethered caps were the result of years of research, but not all our innovations start within. Sometimes, new ideas come through our longstanding partnerships.

We’ve been working with Materne since 2007. We’re their exclusive packaging supplier and developed a sustainable pouch for their GoGo squeeZ® line of healthy snacks for kids. In January of 2020, they set a goal to shift towards 100% recyclable packaging by 2022. To help meet that goal, Materne asked us to make a custom fitment for GoGo squeeZ pouches.

“About 50% of our fitments are driven by customer requests,” says Tony Bloedt, Director of Global Fitment Development for Scholle IPN. “Materne requested a fitment that would reduce product weight by 30% and comply with new EU regulations.” Given this brief, we developed the Amerigo, a snap-on cap that exceeded the initial request: we were able to cut product weight by 41.8%, remove unnecessary threading that slowed down manufacturing, and create a fitment that’s easy and safe to use for children.

The Journey to Amerigo
The Amerigo initially started as a challenge from Materne, which was an exciting prospect for Bloedt and his team. “It’s very compelling to get requests from our partners because there are not that many companies in our industry bringing new products to market,” he says. “Because we’re a technology company, we don’t always get direct consumer feedback, so not only do these requests help us understand how customers interact with our products, but they tell us the broader needs of consumers.”

Bloedt began working on the Amerigo four years ago, starting with a simple brief: to make a fitment that weighed less than their current fitment and meets EU regulations.

“The way this process works is we take the request from our customer,” he says, “whether it’s for a fitment of a certain shape, or a request to reduce total material weight, or just to make something different. Then, we generate a few design concepts, and we introduce them to the customer.”

Bloedt began by making prototypes of fitments, experimenting with new ways to cut product weight. Prototypes were tested internally through a process called Failure Mode & Effects Analysis (FMEA), which Bloedt likens to “kicking the tires on a new design,” to figure out if a prototype can perform reliably and identify potential flaws.

The process of making a new fitment isn’t linear. It requires constant back-and-forth, and Bloedt regularly solicited feedback from Materne. Eventually, they were able to narrow down potential fitment designs and brought them to consumers for field testing. They collected insights from users, continued testing new prototypes, and landed on a fitment that exceeded expectations.

A New Solution With Unexpected Results
With the Amerigo, we took creative and unexpected approaches to reducing product weight. As they worked on prototypes, Bloedt and his team of engineers created a design that allowed for the removal of the threads by utilizing a smoother, snap-on function.

“Typically this type of fitment has a spout that sticks out where you screw the cap on, and you have to do this during filling,” Bloedt says. “You’d have to rotate the fitment at least 180 degrees. With the new design, the fitment just snaps on. There’s no rotating, and there’s no screwing mechanism required. Not only did they cut down on weight by removing the threading, but that also simplified the assembly process.”
In the end, we were able to create a model that weighed 41.8% less than their existing fitment, surpassing the 30% benchmark that Materne set. Along with making a lighter fitment, the simplified design was ergonomically beneficial for children, who wouldn’t have to turn and screw in the top. By eliminating the threading, the GoGo squeeZ products were easier to consume and more enjoyable for consumers. “Removing the threading gives a much smoother mouthfeel, leading to a better consumer experience,” Bloedt says.

We have already placed 500 million fitments into the market throughout Europe and North America. Over the next year, Materne intends to insert over two billion more of these fitments into the market.

These bottles will be made from 50% post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic and will use 100% biodegradable actives in their formulation.

This move came after HUL saw a rise in the plastic footprint of its brand Surf Excel Matic Liquid, which was launched in 2016.

As part of the initiative, HUL has partnered with Banyan Nation to reduce the net plastic generated and create bottles that are less dependent on virgin plastic.

As part of the initiative, HUL has partnered with Banyan Nation to reduce the net plastic generated and create bottles that are less dependent on virgin plastic.

The brand has stated that it will cross an annual consumption of 900 tonnes of recycled plastic by the end of this year.

In addition to this, HUL has also set up a refill machine at a store in Mumbai to showcase its commitment to no-plastic innovations.

Prabha Narasimhan, executive director and vice president, home care, Hindustan Unilever, said, “Every decision we make is evaluated, not just on its benefit to the consumers but also on its impact on the environment, now and in the long term, to ensure what is best for the consumer is also good for the larger world we inhabit. Why should the consumer be forced to make a choice between the two?”

Sanjiv Mehta, chairman and MD, Hindustan Unilever, said, “All innovations have a scorecard on various parameters and its positive impact on our clean future agenda is a key criterion to meet for it to move ahead in the organisation’s innovation funnel. If we don’t set higher standards for ourselves, we will not be able to meet the needs of future generations. We take great pride in innovating to meet the consumers’ needs, some of these aren’t critical for the present but are key for the future. This innovation is yet another step in that direction.”

Mani Kishore Vajipeyajula, CEO and co-founder of Banyan Nation, added, “Banyan Nation’s mission is to ensure that the use of safe and high-quality recycled plastic becomes the norm in mainstream consumer products and packaging. HUL’s alignment with our mission and unwavering commitment to sustainability has resulted in over 100 million bottles being made from Banyan Nation’s recycled granules and made available to consumers across India.”

It will come as no surprise that plastics, plastic parts and plastic components are used frequently throughout a variety of industries and business sectors including the medical sector, industrial sector and the aerospace sector.

Throughout the 20th century and continuing into the 21st century, aerospace engineering was advancing at a rapid pace, and plastics assumed a large role by providing practical and functional upgrades. In fact, plastic became so widely used in the aerospace industry that Boeing’s famous 787 Dreamliner was nicknamed ‘the plastic airliner’.

The Plastic Revolution

Plastics continued to excel in the aerospace industry throughout World War Two and were used due to their ease of availability, design and manufacture and, above all, the variety of applications they can be used for.

Materials such as vinyl were utilised to line fuel tanks and fliers’ boots, whilst other forms of plastics were used in radar covers due to their transparency to electromagnetic waves. Not only did this significantly improve radar technical capacity but stronger and more flexible plastics were also used on helicopters as they provide increased safety and are able to withstand the helicopter vibrations.

Furthermore, the majority of plastics can be made transparent, shatter resistant or made to provide protection from ballistics. As well as this, certain plastics can provide invisibility toradar and other various infrared systems designed to spot unknown flying objects. This makes plastic ideal for stealth operations and therefore made their use in the military aerospace sector invaluable.

Another advantage of plastics, not just for the military, is that they provide ideal conditions for improved aerodynamics due to their smooth contour which allows aircraft manufactured from plastics more fuel efficient. It is easier to repair plastics due to their ease of availability and light weight.

How are plastics used in aerospace today?

In the modern era, plastics are still widely used in the aerospace industry for a variety of important and essential components. These various applications include:

Interior wall panels and luggage storage compartments:

Airplane panels are often made from a type of plastic called Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene – commonly referred to as ABS. This is due to the fact that ABS is ideal for vacuum forming, meaning it can be moulded into a range of specific shapes if necessary. Furthermore ABS has a lightweight density and an impressive strength, making it ideal for aircraft interior components.

Aircraft doors and exterior panels:

More and more aircrafts are being built and manufactured with plastic components on the exterior as well as the interior. As a result, the weight of the plane can be greatly reduced, therefore improving the fuel efficiency of the plane.

Furthermore, the plastics used on the exterior of aircraft have an extreme resistance to a variety of things including pressurised water and steam, radiation and extreme temperatures.

Technical components:

Aircraft plastics are utilised for even the smallest of components such as internal wiring and bearings. The ability to manufacture as much of the aircraft as possible from lightweight plastics contributes in a significant way to the plane becoming more economical. This not only leads to a reduced price for air travel, but also reduces the effect the plane has on the environment.

As well as this variety of applications, the ability to use various plastics in the manufacture of planes allows designers to create more innovative aircraft designs.

Using plastics, engineers can create airplane layouts that are not only more ergonomic but aesthetically pleasing as well. This is due to the fact that plastic is a lot more malleable making it easier to shape and mould into various complex shapes as opposed to traditional materials like rubber and aluminium.

This freedom in design allows for the future of aircraft and can lead to planes that are the safest, most affordable and most comfortable for a generation.

Aerospace Packaging

As well as being used in the aircraft themselves for various applications, as mentioned previously, plastic is also utilised for aerospace packaging.

Aerospace packaging is essentially exactly what it sounds like; packaging for aerospace components. The aerospace industry often requires dangerous and expensive parts and, as such, requires drastically different packaging needs.

Utilising a variety of plastics is ideal for aerospace packaging as various plastics have different qualities that can be used to transport specific aerospace parts and components. For example, many plastics are resistant to erosion and temperature and provide a high level of strength which can protect aerospace parts whilst they are being transported.

Not only this but plastic aerospace packaging can be used to overcome a variety of issues that come with transporting aerospace parts such as:

• Shock protection
• Magnetic Protection
• Vibrations
• Extreme temperatures and humidity.

The resistance to these issues makes the use of plastic ideal for the majority of aerospace packaging requirements.

Furthermore due to the fact that plastics can be vacuum-formed into a variety of different shapes, and moulded and trimmed to fit specific components, they are able to protect various aerospace components unlike many other materials such as rubber, wood and various metals.

Rose Plastic's attractive plastic packaging for stationery, office supplies, and art supplies are designed to catch the eye at the point of sale. Because as everybody knows, we don’t get a second chance to make a first impression.

Whether for high-quality fountain pens, inexpensive felt pens, or fine brush sets – at rose plastic you’re guaranteed to find the right packaging.

They offer around 4,000 different plastic packaging solutions, all of which impress with attractive designs, sophisticated functionality, and optimal product protection.

At the point of sale, consumers often decide which product to reach for in a matter of seconds. The deciding factor is often the packaging, which attracts attention and then triggers the corresponding impulse to buy. Their creative packaging solutions for stationery and art supplies turn shopping into an enjoyable experience and achieve maximum impact for your products at the point of sale.

Rose Plastic is willing to bet that they have got the right plastic packaging for stationary product. And, frankly, it’s a bet they never lose – because their complete range of around 4,000 different packaging solutions really leaves nothing to be desired. Choose from a wide range of plastic tubes, boxes, and cases in a variety of designs, dimensions, materials, and colors. And in the unlikely event that you can’t find the right packaging for your stationery and art supplies, our engineers and technicians will be happy to develop a customized packaging solution – tailored perfectly to your products!

At the point of sale it often takes customers only a few seconds to decide whether to pick up a product – or leave it sitting on the shelf. Choosing the right packaging is therefore of critical importance. The bottom line is that the packaging directly influences that all-important decision – to buy, or not to buy? We not only supply you with the right plastic packaging, but also show you how to make it truly eye-catching with a customized promotional imprint at our in-house print shop or a classy laser inscription . 

Our plastic packaging gives your stationery, office supplies, and art supplies a creative look, and impresses your customers with its easy handling and high-quality workmanship. That’s why you’ll find rose plastic packaging wherever stationery, office supplies, school supplies, and painting and art supplies are sold.

Stationery & offfice supplies

Our plastic packaging is the ideal solution for packaging stationery, office supplies, and school supplies, for example: fountain pens, felt-tip pens, fiber-tip pens, pencils, pen sets, ballpoint pens, highlighters and other writing instruments, erasers, rulers, scissors, cutters, letter openers, compass sets, writing utensils, and many other office supplies.

Art & paint supplies

Our plastic packaging solutions are the ideal way to present your art and painting supplies at the point of sale, such as paint brushes and brush sets, fiber-tip pens, acrylic paints, oil paints, watercolors, pastels, paint kits, airbrush sets and airbrush accessories, craft knives, painting sponges, and other painting accessories.