Barton Group, Inc. has announced the development of Squeezy Straw™ – a new single-serve dispensing pouch with its own built-in, integral sipping straw.

World demand for cups and lids is projected to rise 5.0 percent per year to nearly $26 billion in 2017. Advances will be driven by above average gains for food and beverage packaging cups as well as a favorable outlook for global foodservice revenues. In particular, increases will be fueled by growth in the quick service restaurant industry, which will remain the primary user of disposable cups and lids.

This summer, Tree Top will launch Tree Top Fruit Pouches, a portable, convenient and healthy new menu option. With the launch of Tree Top Fruit Pouches, American families on-the-go can enjoy a healthy, portable and mess-free fruit that children love.

Continuing to expand and enhance its food packaging lines, Placon, a top US thermoformer of custom and stock food containers, retail and medical device packaging as well as recycled PET materials, announces that it is currently rolling out its new anti-fog lid technology on its entire line of PET cold deli food packaging products.

McDonald's is unveiling new packaging designs on all carry-out bags and fountain beverage cups with QR codes. This initiative is the latest step in the company's ongoing commitment to provide consumers with information to help them make informed choices. The launch begins this week in the U.S. and will continue rolling out worldwide through 2013, with the text being translated into 18 different languages.

A look at revenue, mergers and acquisitions and new packages that bring these companies to the spotlight.