During 2007 and now towards the middle of 2008, many more examples of smart packaging are beginning to appear. Just a few examples:

1. Self-cooling beer in kegs. An innovative application of the zeolite-technology makes it possible to drink cool beer anywhere you want. Within 30-45 minutes the beer will reach the perfect drinking temperature of 6 °C to 9 °C (44 °F to 48 °F)! Currently Zeo-Techs (www.zeo-tech.de) licensee Coolsystem GmbH, Nuremberg is marketing a 20-litre self-cooling keg.

2. Look also for the  self-cooling skin cream treatment using the same technology and available, for a price, at exclusive stores. Details at www.icybeauty.com.

3. Self-heating soup. OnTech & Sonoco have developed a self-heating coffee container based on the CaO exothermic reaction. Commercialisation occurred throughout 2005 with the Wolfgang Puck range of flavoured lattes. Now, using the same container and heating technology, the world’s first self-heating soup version is also available through the Chef Jay brand. Billed as “Low Carb/High Protein” it appears to be only available via mail order from US specialised health/diet/food supplement stores.

4. Active humidity control. Humidipak (www.humidipak.com) has developed a smart pouch that keeps fine cigars and woodwind reeds at exactly the right relative humidity during storage through a combination of clever chemistry and breathable polymer films. Many other applications expected.

If I've missed your personal favourite - please send me details by email to : packaginginnovation@yahoo.co.uk and I'll include next time. Thanks!