MM Packaging Provides Multi-Pack Solution for Kingsland Drinks’ Canned Beverages

Kingsland Drinks has turned to MM Packaging to produce Fully Enclosed Cases for its multipack ranges of canned wines and ready-to-drink cocktails. The cartonboard solution helps spearhead Kingsland Drinks’ push into aluminum can formats and MM Packaging’s drive into the beverage market.

The shelf-ready packaging format handles eight or 12 cans, doubling up as a transit pack and an impactful on-shelf solution. A perforated zip-tear around the middle of the pack allows for ease of use when placing the cans on shelf, while the printed packaging allows for additional branding and a premium look.

Kingsland Drinks is an employee-owned drinks specialist offering end-to-end solutions across drinks sourcing, bottling, and product development. In addition to handling contract packing for brand owners, Kingsland Drinks also supplies all of the UK’s major retailers with branded and own-label wines and has its own bespoke range of products that are exclusive to the on-trade and independent sector.

Mike North, Business Development Manager at MM Packaging, said: “The solution we are offering is sustainable, protective, and multi-functional. Our Fully Enclosed Cases offer excellent protection in transit and a strong on-shelf presence for the cans. It’s easy for the retailer to quickly assemble the high-impact packs to sit on shelf in store.

North adds: “This format is proving to be a versatile one for Kingsland Drinks. We worked together to ensure that the cases ran efficiently on their packing lines, ensuring the cans can be easily packed and distributed safely while offering a premium pack to match the quality products inside.”

The Fully Enclosed Cases are being used by Kingsland Drinks for multipacks of 12, in 200ml and 250ml can formats, while being sustainably made from FSC-Certified Virgin Fiber Board.

Jo Taylorson, Head of Marketing & Product Management at Kingsland Drinks, said: “Cans represent a format with significant growth potential across wine, ready-to-drink cocktails, and low-alcohol beverages. Our investment in a world-class canning line, with capacity to produce 26 million cans annually, underlines the importance of this format within the wider Kingsland Drinks range. Working with MM Packaging, we’ve benefited from their expertise and collaborative approach, resulting in a solution that both complements our packing processes and delivers a high-quality finish for our canned portfolio.”

MM Packaging has a wide range of cartonboard products well suited to the beverage industry, such as sleeves and clip tops as well as fully enclosed cases. Its solutions target all can sizes including 200ml, 250ml, 330ml both standard and slim sizes, and 440ml.

DS Smith Collaborates with Brewery to Create Sustainable Six-Pack Packaging

DS Smith is working in partnership with Slovakia-based Martins Brewery to create a custom-made, sustainable six-pack handle packaging solution for holding the glass bottles of organic beer together, while incorporating functionality and entertainment into the core sustainable packaging concept.

The new six-pack handle packaging solution is designed to create a memorable experience and enhance the purchasing and “unboxing” experience of the brewery’s customers. The unpacking process is designed to be simple, and the corrugated cardboard solution has a clever folding system for the creation of six individual beer compartments. As part of its fun factor, the brewery has placed a range of mathematical puzzles inside the packaging for customers to explore.

The packaging solution is made from 100% recyclable material in the form of uncolored brown cardboard and is constructed with an eco-friendly adhesive. The six-pack handle is designed for simple construction and manual folding. Consequently, it can be implemented into the manufacture and production process without the need for complex machinery or special equipment.

The packaging design theme was created by Martins Brewery manager, Alexandra Pilková, who was inspired by popular themes among the brand’s social media followers.

“Our products have a sustainable ethos. We wanted to combine ‘logically ecological beer’ with sustainable packaging, and the design concept immediately catches the customer’s attention in a retail environment,” said Norbert Pilka, CEO, Martins Brewery. “The puzzles, like the recyclable packaging, can be reused. We feel that we have achieved a high-quality product, innovation, functionality, and an attractive design all in one.”

The DS Smith design team apply their bespoke industry-first and unique Circular Design Metrics (CDM) tools to measure and quantify the sustainability performance of each of their packaging solutions across eight key indicators, ranging from carbon footprint, reuse, supply chain optimization, recyclability, and material utilization to recycled content.

Through its purpose of Redefining Packaging for a Changing World and its companywide Now and Next sustainability strategy, DS Smith is committed to leading a transition to the circular economy and to delivering innovative sustainable packaging solutions for its customers and society at large.

For more information about DS Smith’s packaging solutions, check out their website here.

INX International Showcases Vibrant Solutions at Craft Brewers Conference

INX International recently highlighted its latest innovations in packaging with inks designed to deliver exceptional visual impact and sustainability at the Craft Brewers Conference and BrewExpo America.

Creating Packaging That Captivates Consumers

“Craft beer drinkers often make purchasing decisions based on packaging design,” said Renee Schouten, Vice President of Marketing at INX. “Our inks help brewers create visually striking cans and labels that grab attention and drive brand loyalty. Vibrant colors, unique finishes, and cohesive branding across various formats are crucial to standing out on store shelves.”

Unified Branding Across Multiple Formats

INX supports craft breweries with comprehensive ink solutions across all packaging types, including metal cans, pressure-sensitive and wraparound labels, shrink sleeves, tags, and paperboard carriers. These inks ensure consistent, vivid color and dependable performance, creating a unified branding experience. With INX’s advanced inks, craft brewers can build stronger connections with their consumers through compelling, cohesive packaging.

Sustainable Innovations That Make a Difference

At the conference, INX highlighted several innovative sustainability solutions, including its new Reduced Temperature Cure Ink, which significantly reduces energy use during printing and curing processes. Also featured was the AP Series 2-Piece Beverage Can Ink and the groundbreaking EcoCan Ink, the industry’s first and only beverage can ink to receive a Gold Level Material Health Certificate from the Cradle-to-Cradle Products Innovation Institute.

Additionally, INX showcased its INXhrc natural-based inks, formulated using renewable ingredients that replace petrochemically derived materials. These high-performance, eco-friendly inks help craft brewers further reduce their environmental footprint, aligning packaging strategies with sustainability goals without sacrificing print quality or operational efficiency.

With these innovations, brewers can confidently meet strict sustainability targets and enhance their brand’s environmental responsibility.