This Month in Packaging... [June 2023]

Packaging News June 2023

Welcome to the June edition of Rocket Industrial’s ‘This Month in Packaging’ blog series, a monthly wrap-up of packaging related content that catches our eye.

From a brain cancer survivor rethinking medical packaging to generative AI impacting packaging, here are five things that caught our attention this month.


Brain Cancer Survivor Rethinks Medical Packaging

Brain cancer survivor

WHO: Michael Johnston

WHAT: Michael Johnston, a brain cancer survivor and packaging engineer for a medical device company, wants to reduce the sound that medical packaging makes. During his treatment in hospitals, Johnston would associate the opening of noisy medical packages with pain, knowing that a poke was soon to follow.

WHY IT MATTERS: Through his personal experience, he is hoping that other packaging professionals will consider the patients’ perspectives when designing new packaging.


Pop-Tarts Throwback Design Evokes Nostalgia

Pop-Tarts throwback packaging

WHO: Pop-Tarts

WHAT: Bringing back the designs from their iconic 1960s packaging, special edition Frosted Strawberry Pop-Tarts Throwback Packs are available until July 17th.

WHY IT MATTERS: Pulling on nostalgic heartstrings, this throwback design is just one of the exciting promotions from the brand. Netflix has acquired the rights to “Unfrosted: The Pop-Tart Story,” an upcoming comedy biopic, directed, co-written, and co-produced by Jerry Seinfeld, that will explore the creation of Pop-Tarts.


Earth Cup Disintegrates into Dust

Bowls made of dust

WHO: GaeaStar

WHAT: Bringing ancient material into to 21st century, GaeaStar creates “drink to dust” terracotta cups that may be the ultimate real-world example of packaging circularity. Made only using clay, water, and salt, the 3D-printed Earth Cup is considered geo-neutral packaging as it leaves behind no harmful waste.

WHY IT MATTERS: The all-natural ingredients that are used to make the cup are “dirt cheap” and are competitively priced with paper or plastic packaging. The company is looking forward to scaling technology to provide sustainable, low-cost, high-end products that drastically reduce waste and pollution.


Generative AI Impacting Packaging

ChatGPT

WHO: Generative AI

WHAT: Generative AI is influencing the way jobs and processes are done, not just in the packaging industry. From manufacturing to designing, AI can speed up processes that would take humans weeks to complete. As AI tools continue to develop, factors such as cost, sustainability, and startup time could be considered when coming up with an optimal packaging solution.

WHY IT MATTERS: By utilizing AI to change behind-the-scenes processes, operations will become more resilient to changes, specifically labor challenges, that would otherwise disrupt company growth and development.


Kicking Off Summer with Baseball Games

Rocket Industrial employees at a baseball game

WHO: Rocket Industrial

WHAT: Each summer, our employees and their families are invited to attend our annual baseball game socials. Each location can support its local baseball teams during these socials.

WHY IT MATTERS: Focused on company culture during and outside of work, these family-friendly events are a great way to meet each other’s families and kick off summer!


Submit to the Monthly Packaging Wrap-Up

Do you have a packaging example, industry news article, or idea that your peers should see? Share it with us here! Our blog team will pick a few suggestions to mention in our This Month in Packaging blog series at the end of each month. If your suggestion is used, we will send you a Rocket hat!

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