Rapid advances in Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) technology is bringing connected devices, systems and people together to deliver actionable results and improve safety, productivity, sustainability, efficiency and reliability. Coupled with the emergence of IIoT is a continuous evolution of standards to help original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) build safer machines and likewise, help machine users and manufacturers improve the ease of maintenance while minimizing operational downtime. Today, machine users and manufacturers not only want to ensure new and existing machines are safe, but that they are connected for diagnostics, flexible in design, reliable and ready for now as well as the future.

Up and down the supply chain, the pharmaceutical industry will work hard to achieve traceability per DSCSA standards. Greater consumer demand and a heightened focus of customization at the patient level will force smaller batches and shorter lead times for packagers. Through all of the changes, quality management remains top-of-mind for pharmaceutical packaging manufacturers.

The sustainability movement grew up and out of smaller companies that prioritized environmental responsibility in catering to niche consumer preferences. Now, sustainability features prominently in the brand promises and cost saving strategies made by food manufacturers of all sizes. So, how does a budding food manufacturer looking to scale up from a retail or small production operation begin to tackle sustainability? Three packaging professionals provide their advice for an environmentally responsible scale-up strategy.

Manufacturers and users of industrial packaging may not always be aware of a product’s final destination or end purpose, meaning it could become subject to regulations not considered in the original packaging selection or manufacturing process. The only time users become aware of the issue could be when requests for regulatory compliance statements are made. Packaging users and manufacturers should proceed with caution in how these requests are handled, as they can often be fraught with risk.

Correct packaging, according to specification, is a given in the food sector. It’s about ensuring safety and compliance, and upholding brand reputation. The fundamental requirement is that food is free from unwanted contaminants and high quality; the outer packaging must be accurate and the label correctly positioned, and the product needs to be within the correct weight tolerances. Read how advanced detection technologies can meet retailer and consumer demand for packaging conformity.

Everyone should know Kit Kat chocolate bars—but did you know the wafer in the center is actually made from broken Kit Kat bars? Kit Kat manufacturers leave no bar uneaten. If quality assurance deems that a certain Kit Kat is not up to standards, it will go in the reject pile, ready to be crushed and used to fill other Kit Kats.

Over four months since Hurricane Maria ravaged Puerto Rico, many are still fighting to survive amid the devastation of the storm. For those struggling to find potable water, relief is coming in the form of an innovative pouch developed by Sawyer Products and Flair Flexible Packaging. The new water transport and filtration pouch provides a simple means of collecting, carrying and eliminating pathogenic bacteria from even the most heavily contaminated water.

Foods and beverages, personal care products and household cleaners packaged in clear polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles face a threat to their formulations and ingredients from ultraviolet (UV) light. In particular, UV light can cause color fading and shifting, create off-flavors and aromas, and reduce vitamin potency. Ultimately, lower product quality and shorter shelf life resulting from UV damage can impact profitability and brand reputation.

Videojet recently surveyed engineers and plant managers in North America about both their understanding of remote capabilities and the benefits of using them. The results point to the need to clarify what remote capabilities are and how they can help keep lines and plants running more smoothly and predictably by today’s standards and the growing trend toward the IoT.

Plastics, paper and other packaging materials bring many benefits to the food supply chain, including sterility and prolonged shelf life. However, there is the potential for transfer of chemicals from the packaging to the food, which is why FDA regulations surrounding food contact materials exist. Understanding this legislation is key to creating effective, safe and legally compliant packaging.