Packaging R&D: Dow's Pack Studios unites chemistry, physics, sensory science and psychology to optimize package development

Holly Dunnill, associate research and development director – food and specialty packaging and Pack Studios for The Dow Chemical Company, spoke to FoodProductionDaily.com at the show.

"Pack Studios... brings [together] everything from resin design to making and extruding the resins to making blown films to the material science of the package design itself, [as well as] making the package, testing it, and performing sensory testing for the material in use," ​Dunnill explained.

Off camera, Dunnill told FoodProductionDaily that the user experience elements of Pack Studios are as important to package R&D as the chemistry and structural considerations. Dunnill said her team understands that no matter how well a package meets the requirements of those who process, package, distribute and sell a particular food or beverage product, unappealing sensory characteristics and ease of use problems can significantly affect consumer acceptance of the product.

“We’ve used our sensory science lab to understand how, with a film package for example, the feel of it, the sound of it, the taste or odor might impact [the user experience],” ​she said.