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| 06 Nov 2008 01:06:37 pm |
 Starbucks "Red Paper Coffee Cups" are back |
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You always know the Holiday's are just around the corner when Starbucks brings their Red paper coffee cups back (along with their Holiday beverage offering). This year’s version went on sale earlier this week.
MDA |
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Category : Products
| Posted By : Mike |  Comments[362] |  Trackbacks [264] |
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| 16 Sep 2008 04:35:10 pm |
| CoffeeFest Seattle - Follow-up |
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Just back from the trade show that is CoffeeFest - Seattle. Unlike some of our fellow exhibitors, I felt like it was a strong show with good attendance. From a disposables manufacturer’s standpoint, it was great to see Solo Cup, Pactiv and Georgia Pacific / Insulair back exhibiting (after a too long absence) along with the always loyal International Paper. As we now represent each of these manufacturers on our various commercial web sites, I always appreciate their support of the specialty coffee community.
There was very little new – from a disposables standpoint – at the show. All I saw other than the new Solo Cup and Insulair recycled content cups (that we have already previewed on this site) were three new import offerings. One of these new imports is a PLA (biodegradable / compostable) paper cup and the other two were versions of an insulated paper hot cup.
I like to think of myself as fairly global in my thinking, and there is no question that imported products (other than the above mentioned PLA cup) almost always have a lower cost appeal…. BUT… I worry about the following:
1) What efforts are these imports making to increase their “brand” awareness? So far, no one has heard of them or their product. How do we as a distributor or you as an end user develop a trust with this product?
2) Do they have their supply chain worked out? Can we expect consistent availability of these products?
3) Most importantly, as these product come in direct contact with food, do they have their quality control measures fully up to snuff?
This is one where I would love to have some feedback….
MDA |
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Category : Products
| Posted By : Mike | Comments[138] | Trackbacks [0] |
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| 09 Sep 2008 01:24:22 pm |
| Biodegradable Plastic Demand |
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In a note from Fredonia Group, we see that the demand for biodegradable / compostable plastics is expected to continue to grow rapidly. While not a surprise, I thought the numbers were impressive…
Polylactic Acid (PLA) is the primary biodegradable / compostable plastic used in disposables today. You see it in the “corn” based cups from FabriKal as well as the coating on the new Ecotainer cups® from International Paper. Its demand grew from 10 million pounds in 2002 to 91 million pounds this year… and is projected to grow to 225 million pounds by 2012. That is a 55% annual growth rate and by far leads the other biodegradable plastics categories.
MDA |
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Category : Products
| Posted By : Mike | Comments[114] | Trackbacks [0] |
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| 03 Sep 2008 09:03:31 am |
| Insulair Steps Up Their "Green" Offering |
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Here is a sneak preview of the about to be introduced new EcoSmart design from Insulair called Viridian.
This new design which is set to launch in late September, is reported to have 25% post consumer recycled fiber (up from the current 12% on their other designs) albeit with a 5% cost upcharge for this one design.
In my role as design critic, let me say that I like this one.... I think the folks at G.P. got this right! It gets the "green" message out there without screaming it.
MDA |
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Category : Products
| Posted By : Mike | Comments[127] | Trackbacks [0] |
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| 06 Aug 2008 04:01:00 pm |
| Dare to go "Bare"? |
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As mentioned yesterday, I was presented with two new offerings from Solo Cup earlier today. After a long dry spell, it does look like Solo may be regaining its footing.
They have two new offerings just being introduced to the market. These include: "Bare" their line of eco-forward beverage products, which has the following components:
- Clear, Cold Cups with 20% Recycled PET (RPET) content
- Paper Hot Cups with 10% Post Consumer Fiber (PCF) content
- PLA (corn resin) Lined Paper Hot Cups
- Dry Wax Paper Cone Cups
- Dry Wax Paper Water Cups
The "Bare" stock design is attractive (in my opinion) and along with copy printed on the cups clearly explains the inherent environmental advantages.
As with other "green" products these items are going to carry a cost premium when compared to a comparable "standard" item. I would think that as more of these type products are introduced, more competitors enter the arena and there is more acceptance by foodservice operators and their customers - prices will fall.
A major positive for the above is that they use the current, standard lids from the Solo line - so there are no extra items to inventory - on the downside (for now) is that their "standard" lids have no inherent "green" properties.
I was also introduced to their new "Duo Shield" insulated paper hot cups. Available in 12, 16 & 20 oz sizes, these cups are being positioned against both Insulair (from GP's Foodservice Business) and the KX2 cups from International Paper. Produced with two wraps of paper (as opposed to Insulair's three) but with an “air-pocket” between them for insulation, these cups should not require a jacket / sleeve. I see the positives and negatives as follow:
Positives
- Looks like they'll be the most economically priced of the "big three" insulated paper hot cups (Insulair, KX2 and now Duo_Shield) --- and as importantly, the matching lids look to be the least costly (by a significant margin) over the two other alternatives.
- Use the standard Solo Traveler and Traveler Plus lids (ex 20 oz. - see below)
- Eliminates the need for a sleeve / jacket
Negatives
- Requires two lids; one for the 12 & 16 oz cup and another for the 20 oz. Admittedly no worse than Insulair but a significant drawback as compared to KX2 - of course KX2 has historically had other issues. In my view requiring two different lids is a significant strategic "miss" by Solo - I am sure they know better - and they must have their reasons....
- No environmental "story" other than the ability to eliminate sleeves / jackets. It would have been good if the outer wrap could have been made from recycled content paper similar to the Insulair middle wrap.
- Personally, I think the stock design is a bit bland and dated (I will try to add an image shortly)... yes, I know.... everyone is a critic....
On the whole it is good to see Solo back in the game. These - first in a long time - new products combined with their significantly improved service levels make them a business to watch again.
MDA |
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Category : Products
| Posted By : Mike | Comments[113] | Trackbacks [0] |
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