Milk carton[carton?:carton box sample cutting machine] manufacturing has not changed dramatically for many years, because the process is already highly streamlined and efficient. An increasingly popular modification to the tradition gable-topped carton is the addition of a plastic[plastic?:Plastic sample cutting machine] pour spout, but this requires only minor changes in the manufacturing process. As milk consumption falls in the United States, future changes might be in the graphic design of the cartons, as dairies compete harder for customers. Because the gable-topped cartons are very cost-effective to manufacture, packagers are searching for other products that can be sold in them. However, the polyethylene coating for milk cartons is not appropriate for every liquid. For instance, wine and motor oil have different characteristics than milk, and so need different waterproof barriers. Chemists and design engineers are currently researching new plastic coatings, so that other liquids besides milk can use paper[paper?:paper sample maker cutting machine] cartons.
