- Rexam Glass's new Clear Advantage label technology claims to offer the ultimate "no label look" in glass bottle and jar decoration. The new system produces high quality photographic and graphic images without visible edge or bubbling with a finish that is scratch and chemical resistant and withstands pasteurisation. Sales and marketing director Jonathan Mitchell says it opens the door to new creative design opportunities never before possible on bottles, jars and cans. "It also offers increased efficiencies and cost benefits of pre-labelling before filling," says Marshall. - The vast majority of point of purchase display units fail to be used in store because they are too difficult to assemble or lack robustness, according to Clark Stephens Packaging Services, whose units now bear the the Storefriendly Quality Mark, an initiative by Storecheck Marketing to establish a functional standard for these units. Clark Stephen says "Storefriendly" units are classic designs, created in consultatation with retailers, that are easy to assemble, robust and long-lasting. "Store managers say they'd use 30% more displays if they all adhered to this standard," says the company. - Sainsbury claims to be the first retailer to make large scale use of biodegradeable food trays consisting mainly of potato starch. The multiple worked closely with German supplier Apack to create the trays, which took eight years to perfect and are being rolled out in all stores initially for own label organic fruit and vegetables. In suitable conditions, the trays biodegrade on the garden compost heap in 14 days. They cost around the same as plastic equivalents, so there will be no on cost to consumers. Sainsbury estimates they could prevent 200 tonnes of packaging going to landfill each year. - APET (amorphous polyester) looks set to become the new wonder material for crystal clear packaging now that prices have tumbled, putting it on par with PVC on costs. Huhtamaki, which is now in full UK production of the material, expects a big switch from PVC because of potential health concerns, and to a lesser extent from polypropylene. The company says its new Fresh Close deli pot range in five sizes offers glass-like clarity, durability, and resistance to oils and fats, making it ideal for sandwiches, salads and fresh fruit. {{FOCUS SPECIALS }}