New Security Packaging Cuts Down On Waste
By Canadian Packaging Staff
Sustainability MeadWestvaco NatralockLas Vegas may be the global capital for excess and overboard extravagance, but it was all about doing more with less at MeadWestvaco Corporation’s launch of its Natralock security packaging solution during the 2009 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) held in the “Sin City” last month.
Touted as a sustainable alternative to traditional hard-to-open, plastic clamshells, the next-generation Natralock packaging provides an added layer of security with conductive ink technology that emits an audible sound, or “alarm,” when the package is tampered with or if the ink circuit is broken—indicating a security breach and thus deterring would-be thieves from stealing the product inside.
According to the Glen Allen, Va.-headquartered MeadWestvaco, this built-in security feature provides brand-owners with maximum space for branding on the package surface, while maximizing the theft resistance and deterrence properties that are critical to loss prevention.
“We believe that packaging is an opportunity to add value to the products and brands in the electronics industry,” says Jeff Kellogg, MeadWestvaco’s vice-president for security packaging.
“This is all the more true as packaging and technology seamlessly evolve in ways that benefit consumers, retailers and manufacturers, while creating minimal impact on the environment and offering improved opportunities for product branding.”
Made from sustainably sourced paperboard and using 60 per cent less plastic on average than clamshells, the lighter-weight Natralock packaging offers brand-owners opportunity to significantly reduce their warehousing, transportation and shipping compared to petroleum-based packaging, according to MeadWestvaco, as well as providing better price stability by relying less on PET and PVC plastic resins.
Moreover, the next-generation Natralock packaging is also said to increase production rates and efficiencies by sealing up to 40 to 60 per cent faster than clamshells, while reducing the need for manual labor by eliminating time-consuming insert sheets altogether.
According to MeadWestvaco, Natralock packaging can use existing sealing machinery—making the switchover from clamshells quick, easy and cost-efficient.
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