With customers demanding less material waste and manufacturing looking for ways to trim transportation costs, the trend toward sustainable packaging is gathering momentum.

While American food companies have progressed from flirtation to serious courtship of plastic containers, manufacturers in Europe, South America and Asia are tapping an expanding lineup of can shaping technology to revive flagging sales in some categories and kick-start consumer interest in others, according to Carolyn Takata, marketing director for Woodland Hills, CA-based Silgan Containers Corp.

California importer cuts through table-wine clutter with ecology-conscious containers.

In the coming months, IPM Foods LLC, a start-up contract manufacturer, will try to resurrect low-acid canning without the can, using Tetra Pak’s Recart packaging system.

The sustainable packaging bandwagon is gathering momentum, and most food and beverage companies are on board.

Pet food and pasta products were the leaders of the pack at the 15th annual DuPont Awards held August 9 in Philadelphia.

As the market for value-added, minimally processed, pre-packaged food grows, manufacturers find different ways to effectively package these oxygen, moisture, aroma and time-sensitive products.