CANNABIS PACKAGERS’ CAN-DO APPROACH
As demand for cannabis grows by leaps and bounds, so does the demand for innovative and sustainable cannabis packaging. These companies are rising to the occasion.
By Brad Addington
The U.S. cannabis packaging market size was estimated at $1.36 billion in 2023 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 28.9% from 2024 to 2030, consultancy Grand View Research reports. That forecast puts the segment’s revenue at $7.99 billion in 2030.
“The current legalization of cannabis for recreational and medical use in several states of the country has substantially driven market expansion,” Grand View Research notes, adding that the major revenue-generating states include Colorado, California, Florida, Michigan, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Massachusetts, Arizona, and Illinois.
For those familiar with Packaging Strategies’ own reporting, the following observation from Grand View Research comes as no surprise: “Increasing environmental concerns have pushed the cannabis business towards the adoption of sustainable packaging solutions. Biodegradable and eco-friendly packaging materials are becoming very popular as both businesses and consumers aim to minimize their environmental footprint.”
Back in April, Michael Markarian of Contempo Specialty Packaging offered our readers some tips on how to rise to the challenge of providing sustainable packaging for cannabis. Michael’s invaluable insights can be found here.
Also in April, Chris Medrano of Roland DGA made the case that cannabis retailers can increase their return on investment (ROI) by investing in packaging. You can check out Chris’s compelling argument here.
While Michael and Chris both took a bit of a bird’s eye view of the cannabis packaging market, there is no shortage of specific examples of innovative and eco-friendly cannabis packaging, and we are pleased to share some of those packaging solutions here.
Not surprisingly, a solution from Contempo Specialty Packaging itself is in the lineup: a compostable flower pod cannabis packaging system. TIPA and Wyld recently teamed up to combat plastic waste in the growing edibles market, and Grove Bags recently announced an eco-friendly storage solution aimed at addressing the unique challenges of preserving fresh frozen cannabis.
Last but not least, LeafyPack and KindPack® recently introduced the industry’s first Lease-to-Own Program, a revolutionary solution designed to transform cannabis operations by making packaging automation more accessible than ever before.
Learn more about how these companies are leading the charge when it comes to developing and offering innovative and sustainable cannabis packaging solutions.
Contempo Specialty Packaging Pioneers Compostable Flower Pod System for Cannabis
Contempo Specialty Packaging, an innovative custom packaging company, is excited to introduce a new sustainable packaging solution for the cannabis industry: the compostable flower pod cannabis packaging system. This inventive product boasts the same level of quality and customization that Contempo’s customers have come to expect over the past 45 years.
This pioneering compostable flower pod system comprises two parts:
- An all-metal and highly recyclable, resealable, child-resistant tin
- A one-time child-resistant sealed pod made from a DIN CERTCO- and BPI-certified home and industrially compostable biobased resin that fits securely within the tin
Dispensary customers receive both the reusable metal tin and home-compostable bioresin pod on their first purchase. On subsequent purchases, they receive only the pod. The groundbreaking system is home-compostable, sustainable by every metric, and beautifully designed.
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“We wanted to create the most sustainable cannabis packaging option possible,” said Contempo Specialty Packaging CEO Michael Markarian. “The idea of reusable packaging is great, but the cost of shipping products to sterilization facilities has environmental impacts, not to mention the water consumption in sterilization. This pod system reduces the amount of waste and other environmental impacts as well.”
Contempo is a second-generation family-owned company that has been serving customers in the cannabis industry and beyond since 1979. Over its 45-year history, the company has consistently pushed the boundaries with aesthetically pleasing, innovative, and sustainable packaging solutions for every industry. The compostable flower pod system is the latest entry in the company’s cutting-edge product line.
Related: Earlier this year, Packaging Strategies invited Contempo Specialty Packaging CEO Michael Markarian to discuss sustainable cannabis packaging solutions. Get Michael's insights here.
All-metal, child-resistant round tin with home-compostable refill pods.
Courtesy of Contempo Specialty Packaging
COLLAPSE ARTICLE ABOVE
TIPA, Wyld Team up to Combat Plastic Waste in Growing Edibles Market
TIPA, a global leader in compostable packaging solutions for fashion and food, and Wyld, a leader in the North American edibles market, in January announced their partnership to imbue the North American legal edibles industry with alternative-plastic packaging to combat pollution from single-use flexible plastics that aren’t easily recycled.
This comes as the opening of new adult-use markets have put the legal edibles industry on track to more than quadruple by 2032 at an estimated $37.1 billion value. As the market booms, so does demand for sophisticated sustainable packaging that meets both rigorous safety and compliance standards as well as Wyld’s high brand standards. Demand for alternative packaging is largely driven by consumers and businesses seeking to reduce reliance on single-use flexible plastics in the face of the US’s more than 40 million tons of plastic waste a year, only about 6% of which is recycled.
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Wyld will use TIPA’s 608 home compostable laminate — which was recently brought to North America for local production — to produce individual wrapping for Wyld’s edibles as well as pouches and bags for outer parcels. In 2024, Wyld will market products across the U.S. and Canada packaged in TIPA’s laminate.
The laminate is two-ply and runs on most conventional plastic packaging machinery; it possesses a high oxygen and moisture barrier for extended shelf-life for various packed goods. Furthermore, it meets the stringent state-dependent regulations on the packaging of legal edibles products, with child-resistant seals and highly transparent and white consistencies in a range of thicknesses. It is also TUV OK Home Compost certified, meaning it can be discarded in home composters where it will break down into nutrient-rich soil, leaving behind zero waste.
With this move, TIPA enters a new market segment, on the heels of its recent expansion for the local North American production of compostable packaging for the fashion and food industries. It represents the latest step in Wyld’s continued journey to transition all of its petroleum-based plastic packaging to compostables.
“This marks a significant milestone in both companies' commitment to environmental responsibility and underscores our dedication to meeting the evolving demands of sustainability-conscious consumers,” says Rodrigo Castaneda, TIPA’s VP / GM North America. “This collaboration is poised to make a positive impact not only on the edibles industry but also on the larger movement to move away from traditional single-use flexible plastics for the benefit of our planet.”
“Wyld is excited to introduce this innovative, eco-friendly packaging solution to its product line, demonstrating a proactive approach to reducing plastic waste,” says Kale Gray, Sr. Brand Manager at Wyld. “By leveraging compostable materials, we aim to contribute to a greener future and set a new standard for sustainability within the edibles industry.”
Wyld uses TIPA’s 608 home compostable laminate to produce individual wrapping for Wyld’s edibles as well as pouches and bags for outer parcels.
Courtesy of TIPA
COLLAPSE ARTICLE ABOVE
Grove Bags Releases Eco-Friendly Packaging for Frozen Cannabis
Grove Bags, the leading provider of USA-Made cannabis packaging powered by TerpLoc® Technology, has announced the launch of ExIce, an eco-friendly storage solution designed to address the unique challenges of preserving fresh frozen cannabis.
ExIce is the only fresh frozen storage solution available on the market that’s completely water soluble. The best part? ExIce fully dissolves in water without leaving any residual microplastics, making it not only biodegradable and compostable but also marine safe — an industry-first that doesn’t sacrifice quality for eco-friendliness.
UV-resistant, antimicrobial, anti-static, and extraordinarily durable, even in sub-zero temperatures, ExIce is engineered to prevent condensation build-up and freezer burn, maintaining the integrity of fresh frozen cannabis by inhibiting ice crystal formation.
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“ExIce represents a big step forward for cannabis concentrate production SOPs. This first-of-its-kind solution is extremely durable, and doesn’t become brittle in freezing temperatures. Live product remains safe, sound, and ready to extract,” says Jack Grover, Founder & CEO of Grove Bags. “Our commitment to sustainability is exemplified by ExIce’s fully water-soluble composition, bringing an eco-friendly solution to operators that doesn’t compromise on performance.”
ExIce continues Grove Bags' tradition of innovation and excellence, underpinned by the company’s proprietary TerpLoc® technology. With terpene preservation and sustainability at its core, ExIce is the first-of-its-kind to meet the needs of fresh frozen cannabis storage and preservation.
Learn more about Grove Bags and ExIce.
ExIce bags prevent freezer burn and condensation build-up.
Courtesy of Grove Bags
COLLAPSE ARTICLE ABOVE
LeafyPack and KindPack® Partner to Make Packaging Automation More Accessible
LeafyPack, an innovator in packaging automation technologies, has announced its partnership with KindPack®, a leader in flexible packaging solutions. Together, LeafyPack and KindPack® are introducing the industry’s first Lease-to-Own Program, a revolutionary solution designed to transform cannabis operations by making packaging automation more accessible than ever before.
The Lease-to-Own Program eliminates the traditional barriers to upgrading packaging equipment. With zero upfront costs, no involvement of financial institutions, and no lengthy waiting periods to qualify, the process is streamlined to deliver the automation operators need, when they need it.
“We're thrilled with the announcement of our new partnership with KindPack® and the launch of the industry’s first lease-to-own program. We're creating something truly innovative that will change the perception of how businesses approach automating their packaging production lines,” said Jonathan Ballard, Vice President of Business Development at LeafyPack. “We aim to be a catalyst for sustainable growth driven solutions in cannabis manufacturing, this needs to extend beyond our own high efficiency equipment offerings. Automation is no longer a luxury, but a necessity. One that we believe should be accessible to more business owners across the industry. This partnership and program does just that.”
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From small-scale operations looking to upgrade manual processes to large MSOs aiming to enhance their automation, the Lease-to-Own Program provides the key to unlocking capital equipment without tapping into hard-earned cash reserves, preserving cannabis manufacturers’ financial flexibility while propelling their business forward.
“We are dedicated to making high quality, domestically produced, flexible packaging while providing hassle-free access to packaging automation,” said Don Josefchuk, Marketing Manager at KindPack®. “Partnering with LeafyPack allows us to leverage their expertise in automation technologies to provide cost-effective packaging solutions with the unique Lease-to-Own equipment program that eliminates upfront capital investment. The combination yields a full system solution to optimize the financial and operational efficiencies that cannabis manufacturers require.”
LeafyPack and KindPack®’s packaging solutions range from single components to complete end-to-end system solutions. From pre-packaging conveying, to weighing, to case erecting, and robotic packing at the end of the line — the Lease-to-Own Program includes machines such as, The RotoBagger, an advanced premade pouch machine, Flow Pack Series Machines, specifically designed to flow pack a variety of edibles, and the Stick Pack Machine, a granular filler perfect for medium-volume production.
About LeafyPack
LeafyPack specializes in a comprehensive range of automated cannabis packaging solutions for the legal cannabis industry, from pre-roll automation, jar filling, and bagging to labeling, cartoning, and case packing. These advanced systems are designed not only to streamline the packaging process but also to enhance efficiency and reduce operational costs for cannabis producers.
With a focus on innovation and sustainability, LeafyPack’s solutions are tailored to meet the unique regulatory and operational needs of the cannabis market, ensuring that their clients save time and resources while boosting their bottom line. The company’s commitment to quality and customer service has solidified its position as a trusted partner for cannabis businesses aiming to optimize their production capabilities and comply with stringent industry standards.
About KindPack®
KindPack® flexible packaging is a leading provider of packaging solutions, specializing in packaging for cannabis and hemp products. With a focus on innovation and sustainability, KindPack® is committed to delivering high-quality, domestically produced packaging solutions that optimize source of supply and enhance operational efficiency for customers.
