SPN looks at how the packaging industry is adopting sustainable circular practices
Plastic Packaging
Challenges and sustainable innovations
Corrugated Packaging
Bottles vs Cartons
Printing Solutions
Taking the lead in sustainability
The shift towards reusable packaging is gaining momentum, promising a greener future
I hope that all is well with you and yours and that everyone is off to a good start as summer beckons!
Despite the dreadful on-going war in Gaza and the continuing conflagration in Ukraine, our industry is not only surviving, but thriving! That is according to our feedback and the confirmation of business optimism throughout the National Press.
In any event, the industry’s commitment to improving efficiency and sustainability is driving the green agenda forward and meeting the demands of an ever-growing call by consumers for less waste and greater sustainability.
This awareness of our responsibilities at every stage of our manufacturing processes, has helped us to significantly improve productivity and achieve savings not only in logistics, but also in basic commodities and raw materials. What’s more, following the recent alarming news that the earth is warming faster than anyone has ever predicted, there is yet another imperative to be more innovative and resourceful and so helping to protect our planet.
In our latest issue, we offer some major insights into optimising resource efficiency and the circular economy. We also reveal packaging’s latest digital print solutions as well as the benefits to be considered in relation to the use of Bottles vs Cartons. Our coverage of the forthcoming DRUPA Packaging Trade Show in Dusseldorf is another feature well-worth investigating!
In the meantime, we wish you all success and hope that you continue to find SPN your most valuable source of up-to-the -minute news and thought-provoking solutions.
Sincerely,
We believe that all SPN readers can significantly improve their overall supply chain efficiency and benefit from some of these recent IBM insights! IBM told Sustainable Packaging News that with today’s solutions ranging from supply chain partner data exchange, to procurement and inventory planning, as well as to end-to-end transparency, major improvements can be made quickly and efficiently.
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LineView Solutions has unlocked £5.4M in capacity increase at Britvic’s factory in Rugby, UK through its Line Balancing Optimisation programme. (LBO). LineView worked with the leading British beverage manufacturer to execute a comprehensive LBO training project over a two-week period. The programme achieved an immediate capacity increase of £2.9M, directly impacting Britvic’s profitability, whilst revealing a further £2.5M in capacity gains through enhanced control optimisation.
LineView was tasked with upskilling the Britvic controls engineering team with the necessary skills and knowledge to identify and implement LBO opportunities across the business. With constant pressure to optimise production, LineView’s industry experts worked in collaboration with the team to implement practical improvements and enable the lines to fulfil market demand for summer can volume.
The tailored LBO training equipped eight Britvic team members with skills to effectively balance operator and machine time. This focus included improving control, accumulation, speed, start-up, and run-out times across can lines, enabling the team to identify and implement LBO opportunities across the entire organisation. As a result, they are now positioned to unlock additional capacity increases across multiple lines, while also fostering sustained production efficiency through a commitment to continuous improvement.
Paramjeet Pahdi, Rugby Site Director at Britvic PLC, expressed his satisfaction with the project, stating, “I’m hugely impressed with LineView. We’ve unlocked significant capacity for our plant and reduced the impact of minor stoppages on our production lines. Most importantly, we’ve equipped our people to be able to go hunt down these opportunities throughout our business. LineView delivered not only an engaging course but also ensured we have full understanding and confidence to take ownership of this process moving forwards!”
LineView Solutions is a global leader in manufacturing optimisation solutions, dedicated to empowering manufacturing companies to achieve excellence and operational efficiency through its advanced software and expert consulting services. With a focus on innovation, technology, and customer-centricity, its solutions help manufacturing organisations enable data-driven decision-making to improve their environmental footprint and product quality.
DS Smith, the UK packaging giant, has agreed a takeover by US rival, International Paper that values the company at £5.8bn. The all-share deal would see DS Smith shareholders own just over a third of the combined firm. The FTSE 100 listing would not disappear from the London Stock Exchange altogether, as the larger group plan to seek a secondary listing in the UK.
Mark S Sutton CEO International Paper USA
The proposed deal was announced ahead of a deadline for offers imposed by the City’s Takeover Panel of 23 April. UK firm Mondi had been among the other potential suitors. Its all-share offer had valued DS Smith at just over £5.1bn. It still has time to make a counter bid but DS Smith said International Paper was in a position to proceed, adding that it would recommend shareholders back the deal on the table. Subject to that and regulatory approval, it would expect to close late this year. The value placed on DS Smith represents a 47.7% premium to the closing price of its shares in February before Mondi’s initial interest came to light.
As part of its plans, International Paper said around 400 roles across the combined company could be at risk, but added that any layoffs would be subject to review. DS Smith’s long-serving chief executive Miles Roberts, who had already announced his plans to retire, commented: “The combination with International Paper is an attractive opportunity to create a truly international sustainable packaging solutions leader that is well positioned in attractive and growing markets across Europe and North America”.
The evolution of packaging through digital printing means that major players gain a competitive advantage in the market as digital printing redefines industry standards with its versatility, customisation options, and sustainability advantages, said research group Smither.
Digital printing enables brands to craft genuinely distinctive packaging designs that distinguish them from others. Digital printing may be relatively new to packaging, but it is fast becoming a key player in the highly competitive packaging market, say experts.
Ohio, USA-based market research company, Smithers, says digital will be the fastest growing print technology for packaging from 2022 to 2027. Indeed, a study published by USA consultants Towards Packaging, a sister firm of Precedence Research, said the digital printing packaging sector is valued at more than $24.15m in 2023 and is estimated to reach $56.03m by 2032. In 2022, North America was the largest market with a 31.15% share, followed by Europe at 29.47%. Major players include American majors QuadGraphics Inc, Hewlett Packard (HP), Eastman Kodak and the WS Packaging Group, plus Britain’s Mondi Plc, the research states.
Without doubt, this innovative technology offers design and production flexibility, with fewer stages than ‘traditional’ printing’s application of ink to plates or screens that stamp the packaging. In digital packaging, a digital file, typically a PDF or JPEG, is transferred to a printer to apply designs or information and/or designs on to packaging materials.
The most common use of digital printing is inkjet with electrophotography and thermal transfer, with nano-graphic printing also gaining ground. Here, ultra-small particles of wet ink are jetted onto a conveyor blanket, drying there before being transferred onto packaging paper.
- Contributed by Smithers Research. March 7th 2024
New M&S investment is driving its plans to become a fully ‘net zero business’ by 2040. This will be achieved by working in partnership with its long-standing and new suppliers to take rapid action towards net zero through a series of innovation projects.
A series of investments designed to tackle scope 3 emissions are driving M&S’ plans to help it become a ‘net zero business’ across all its operations and entire value chain by 2040. Eight new initiatives have been funded by M&S’ £1m Plan A Acceleration Fund which supports projects addressing challenges and supporting innovation that will help the retailer reduce emissions. Separately, the retailer is also investing £1m in changing the diet of the pasture-grazed cows to reduce the amount of methane being produced and released into the atmosphere.
“ I talk a lot about the ‘magic of M&S’ – a key part of this is our commitment to innovation ”
In a first for the UK, the initiative will see M&S working with all 40 of its Select dairy farmers, removing around 11,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions from the atmosphere each year, and cutting its fresh milk carbon footprint by 8.4% “I talk a lot about the ‘magic of M&S’ – and a key part of this is our commitment to innovation,” said M&S CEO Stuart Machin “It’s in our DNA and, along with our unique model of own brand, long term supplier partnerships, it’s how we deliver the quality and trust our customers expect from us.”
- 9th April 2024
Jacqui Parr
Tesco rolled out recycling points for soft plastic packaging to all large its large stores not long ago and it has proved to be a major success! Customers can now recycle soft packaging such as bread bags, salad bags and crisp packets.
The supermarket made the move after a successful trial of recycling points across 171 stores allowing customers to recycle plastic including bread, salad and vegetable bags, crisp packets and sweet wrappers. Tesco said 85% of customers at trial stores in Wales and south west England said it helped them recycle more than they would otherwise have done, and shoppers also liked the convenience of combining recycling with their shop.
Once collected by Tesco, the old soft plastic is sent for recycling, where it is washed, sorted and as much material as possible is recycled into new products and packaging. The leading retailer said that in a recent sampling, it was able to recover more than 80% of the plastic returned by customers, and is now working with recyclers to see what can be done with the remaining 20% which is sent for incineration to generate energy.
“We’re rolling out collection points to the whole of the country so even more customers can help us stop plastic from going to waste, said Tesco’s director of quality, Sarah Bradbury.
“Soft plastic packaging such as the clear film to wrap meat and fish, crisp packets and fruit and veg bags is not commonly collected by local councils from homes for recycling so it usually went in the waste bin”.
The retailers roll-out of collection points, has allowed it to collect and recycle over 1,000 tonnes of plastic last year.
At Kingsland Drinks, we have always made it a priority to continually improve the sustainability of our products. Physical improvements (such as glass light weighting and corrugate improvements, where Kingsland Drinks has been at the forefront for decades) and developments in bag-in-box technology (more recyclable EVOH bags) are examples of this.
Brands are under pressure to reduce their environmental footprint, which includes addressing issues related to singleuse plastics, excessive packaging waste, and carbon emissions. Finding eco-friendly packaging solutions without compromising the product’s integrity can be challenging but some brands are doing it well, especially within the wines and spirits sector.
Environmentally conscious consumers are seeking out products with eco-friendly packaging, sustainable sourcing of ingredients, and responsible production processes which is why we have invested in a state-of-the-art bag in box production line which supplies formats of 1.5L, 2.25L and 3L to some of the UK’s biggest retailers, as well as contract packed products for multiple national brands and our own consumer facing brands.
Bag-in-box wine is more efficient to transport versus individual glass bottles, resulting in a lower carbon footprint when moving around the UK and can be a more sustainable alternative to glass. We have also moved from an unrecyclable inner to a bag that can be recycled with soft plastics in most supermarkets to ensure the packaging is as sustainable as possible.
We have developed and introduced bag-in-box wine options for two of our successful retail brands, Campaneo (featuring Spanish wines from the Campo de Borja region) and Andrew Peace (highlighting Australian wines from the Victoria region. While these wines are already well-received in 75cl bottle format, we identified a market demand for quality bag-in-box wines. Both ranges are known for being popular and affordable high street wines, but the newly introduced 2.25-litre bag-in-box formats now offer sustainability-focused choices in the wine market.
Both retailers and consumers are switching on to wines in this format, so we must embrace what they offer; recyclability, affordability, and longer lasting wine. New consumers to the bag-in-box category realise the positives in terms of convenience, freshness and quality, and there’s real appetite for formats that offer environmental and sustainability benefits.
We’re expecting even more innovations and developments in bottled and bag in box wines. Expect to see a more canned drinks, bag in box wines and cocktails, paper-based bottles, and light-weight glass on shelf in the very near future.
- Taylorson, head of marketing and product management, Kingsland Drinks
Syntegon told SPN that Flexibility is essential when it comes to dealing with Nutritional trends such as liquid meals, but also the requirements of consumer groups like patients and infants favour the marketing of bottled food. Regardless of whether they are a short-lived hype or a vital necessity, manufacturers are faced with the pressing question of how to fill liquid products safely, in large quantities, and in different bottle formats and materials. Versatile filling and sealing machines in aseptic executions are a viable option.
Liquid food manufacturers mainly rely on injection-molded, pre-sterilised bottles made of HDPE as well as PET and PP. Due to its particularly high barrier properties, HDPE is primarily used for highly sensitive products such as clinical and infant formula. The easily recyclable PET options are the bottles of choice for everyday products such as milk- or plant-based drinks, dairy products, and soups.
Besides the materials, bottle formats vary and are as useful as they are challenging during filling. If more than one bottle format or material is to be filled and sealed efficiently on the same line, there is no way around fast changeovers.
One possible option for bottle transportation in the food industry are machines that grip bottles at the bottom. Neck handling simply reverses the principle and ensures particularly effective transportation. Instead of at the base, the machine grips bottles at the neck, ensuring faster changeovers and minimal adjustments.
Ampack, a Syntegon company, has developed neck-handling further for the new FBL filling and sealing machine displayed at Anuga FoodTec. With this innovation, the company is expanding its portfolio for flexible and aseptic filling of liquid food products. “With the FBL, we offer manufacturing companies the option of filling HDPE, PET, and PP bottles on one machine,” explains Oguz Karcier, Product Manager at Ampack.
Manufacturers must further achieve high disinfection rates to ensure maximum product protection and a long shelf life both inside and outside the cold chain. The FBL meets the highest safety requirements in this respect, as aseptic filling is one of Ampack’s core competencies.
“All bottle materials can be effectively decontaminated thanks to the FBL’s new sterilization system,” continues Karcier. This versatility is needed for good reason. PET, for example, is more temperature-sensitive than other materials and is more prone to absorbing the hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) used for sterilisation. Thanks to precise temperature control, the FBL can handle each of the materials and ensures reliable sterilisation – for safe products and even safer consumers.
For more information visit: www.syntegon.com
“ Consumers don’t only buy products; they buy brands that reflect their values ”
The modern world is revolving around plastics. Every minute, people around the world buy 1 million plastic bottles. But now it’s time to change. Regulations are increasing and consumers are looking for ways to make environmentally friendly choices without compromising on quality.
Changes in consumer priorities and habits call for innovative solutions. In order to attract consumers, brands have to think outside the box and dare to be different. The appetite for more sustainable consumption habits is there. By opting for fiberbased packaging for your home and personal care products, you are embracing a natural alternative to plastics.
Packaging is the most effective way of communicating brand values. Since the majority of all purchasing decisions are made at point of sale, it’s crucial that your product is presented in a container that immediately grabs the consumers’ attention.
A recent consumer study clearly shows that D-PAK™ cartons from Elopak, specifically developed as refill for non-food products, is seen as a more unique and innovative form of packaging compared to alternative packaging options. It offers a 360-degree communication space, allowing you to devote more space for product information and the benefits of the packaging, both which are perceived as increasingly important for the consumers. This will in turn help to elevate your brand. The carton is also helping your product to stand out in a crowded shelf, currently dominated by plastic packaging.
We know however, that it takes more than just pretty packaging to get noticed. The natural look and feel of our fiber-based cartons, in addition to its convenient features, offer a premium consumer experience that alternative packaging can’t match. The consumer study revealed that consumers find the D-PAK™ carton superior to pouch alternatives in terms of opening, pouring and re-closing. As many as 97% of the respondents prefer it for refill and it is considerably better liked by consumers than alternative packaging options.
Plastic is a serious problem for the planet, not just in terms of litter, but also because of the greenhouse gas emissions from plastic production and disposal. We cannot simply recycle our way out of this issue. We need to drastically reduce plastic production across the board. This includes addressing our reliance on plastic in the packaging industry.
“ Thinking realistically, if we are going to reduce the amount of plastic in our packaging systems, we need a solution that shoppers are willing and happy to adopt. ”
- Thomas Körmendi, Elopak CEO
The good news is that shoppers in Europe are already primed towards reducing their plastic use. According to Deloitte’s Sustainable Consumer survey, 64% of UK consumers actively tried to limit the amount of plastic they used in 2023. Also, 91% of respondents from a second study commissioned by Elopak, state that reducing plastic use is important to them in choosing a refill. Another good reason for choosing cartons, since they are primarily made with wood fibres, containing less plastic than alternative containers. We are continually working to reduce the plastic content in our packaging, and you can also go fossil-free with renewable and bio-circular polymers.
For over a century, we have developed our cartons to be the most sustainable packaging on the market. With leading design features and by constantly improving our use of materials, our cartons are optimized for recycling and reducing emissions.
Companies are taking their responsibility seriously, and the D-PAK™ carton is now helping some of the world’s most recognized brands within home and personal care to reduce plastics and become more sustainable. Perhaps this is worth considering the next time you make a packaging decision?
- Kantar quantitative test and face to face interviews December 2023, 150 participants in Sweden.
- Absolute Research, survey conducted December 2023, 1,025 respondents in UK and Germany.
In a world grappling with environmental concerns, the spotlight is increasingly turning towards sustainable practices, and one of the key players in this movement is reusable packaging. As we confront the challenges of climate change and excessive waste, the shift towards reusable packaging is gaining momentum, promising a greener and more eco-friendly future.
Reusable packaging stands as a beacon of hope in the fight against single-use plastics and excessive waste. Traditional packaging, often designed for one-time use, contributes significantly to pollution and resource depletion. In contrast, reusable packaging offers a sustainable alternative, reducing the environmental impact associated with packaging materials.
The cosmetics industry is wholeheartedly embracing reusable and refillable packaging. Leading glass packaging firm, Croxsons, has produced primary packaging for London-based refillable skincare essentials brand, Necessary Good. When consumers begin to run low on their Necessary Good products, they can simply order a 100% biodegradable refill pouch and transfer its contents. The company firmly believes that compostable, bio-based and biodegradable packaging presents the ideal solution for addressing waste issues within the beauty industry.
Baralan, a consolidated player in primary packaging for the cosmetics and beauty industries, has introduced a new series of Inner Cups. Available in two sizes, the Inner Cups can be combined with Baralan’s glass Maria Jars to create a refillable packaging option, offering an environmentally conscious approach to skincare packaging.
“ numerous innovative solutions have emerged within the realm of reusable packaging ”
The economic benefits of reusable packaging cannot be understated either. While the initial investment in reusable containers may be higher than their disposable counterparts, the long-term savings are substantial. Businesses can cut costs associated with constant replenishment of single-use packaging, waste disposal, and potential fines related to environmental regulations. Consumers, in turn, can enjoy cost savings by investing in reusable alternatives that withstand the test of time.
In recent years, numerous innovative solutions and designs have emerged within the realm of reusable packaging. This surge in creativity not only addresses environmental concerns but also caters to the growing consumer preference for sustainable products. A bespoke 14 litre HDPE reusable container designed and manufactured by Berry Global is playing a central role as the vessel for a new refill packaging solution from the Refill Coalition.
“Designing for reuse is one of the key elements of Berry’s Impact 2025 sustainability strategy and commitments. This innovative refill solution demonstrates what can be achieved when all parts of the supply chain work together and we are very proud to have partnered with the Refill Coalition to bring it to life.” commented Edward Arnold, who has co-ordinated the project for Berry.
The appetite for refill shopping is clearly high. Research shows most people are willing to change their long-established shopping habits. Despite having grown up in a single-use packaging world, between 67% and 85% of us say we would try refilling if it was more widely available in supermarkets. Almost three-quarters (73%) would be willing to try refilling for their online purchases. Catherine Conway, Director at Go Unpackaged, certainly believes that refill models are the future – but acknowledges that achieving this will take a concerted effort from the packaging industry to shift away from the single-use model that has served it for so long.
“We need a seismic shift towards reuse and refill if we’re to stem the tide of the amount of single use packaging waste going out into the world. It’s not a solution for everything but there are certain contexts where this reuse and refill packaging actually thrives and makes a difference.”
In conclusion, the adoption of reusable packaging is a pivotal step towards building a more sustainable and environmentally conscious world. As consumers become more aware of the impact of their choices, businesses are responding by embracing reusable alternatives. By reducing waste, promoting the circular economy, and offering economic benefits, our choices today positively influence the world we leave for generations to come.
From the desk of Steve Gislam
Plastic – no other man-made packaging material causes quite the same level of division. This once indispensable wonder-material which played an important part in ushering humanity into the modern age is simultaneously the scourge of the seven seas, as it clogs waterways, kills wildlife and poisons us all with every breath we take. It is both our saviour - and our slow toxin.
Two decades into this century, and plastic’s reputation is seriously on the ropes. Which leads to the question: how can we continue to enjoy the myriad benefits of this flexible and versatile material, whilst also protecting public health and the environment?
The history of plastic is a fascinating journey marked by innovation, technological advancements, and widespread adoption across various industries until it reached every household throughout the world.
Natural materials such as rubber, shellac, and cellulose had been used for centuries, but the concept of synthetic plastics began to emerge in the 19th century. In 1862, Alexander Parkes demonstrated Parkesine. Made from cellulose treated with nitric acid and a solvent, Parkesine was a kind of proto-plastic that could be moulded when heated and retained its shape when cooled. Thus, the foundations for modern plastics were laid.
In 1907, Leo Baekeland invented Bakelite. Bakelite was used for a wide range of applications, including electrical insulation, automotive parts, and consumer goods.
In 1907, Leo Baekeland, a Belgian-American chemist, invented Bakelite, the first synthetic plastic made from phenol and formaldehyde. Bakelite was durable, heat-resistant, and electrically non-conductive, making it suitable for a wide range of applications, including electrical insulation, automotive parts, and consumer goods. Bakelite’s commercial success paved the way for the rapid growth of the plastics industry in the early 20th century. It was widely used in manufacturing throughout the 1920s and 1930s
In 1935, Wallace Carothers and his team at DuPont developed nylon, the first synthetic fibre, which revolutionised the textile industry. Nylon stockings became immensely popular, symbolising the era’s modernity and progress. During World War II, plastics played a crucial role in military efforts. Materials such as polyethylene and polystyrene were used in aircraft canopies, helmets, and other military equipment, demonstrating the versatility and utility of plastics in wartime applications and arguably helping the right side win the war.
In the latter half of the 20th century, concerns about the environmental impact of plastic began to emerge. The accumulation of plastic waste in oceans, landfills, and ecosystems raised awareness about the need for sustainable waste management practices. Efforts to promote recycling and reduce single-use plastics gained momentum in response to environmental concerns. Initiatives such as recycling programs, eco-friendly packaging alternatives, and regulations aimed at reducing plastic pollution became increasingly common.
Perhaps the most pressing challenge facing the plastic packaging sector is its environmental impact. Single-use plastics, in particular have garnered significant negative attention due to their persistence in the environment and harmful effects on wildlife. One need only look to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch in the eastern Pacific, an accumulation of plastic materials, brought together by Gulf Streams and currently roughly the size of Mongolia.
“ microplastics can be found in the deepest oceans, the highest mountains, the bellies of animals and even in our blood streams ”
Then there are the negative health impacts of microplastics, which are now so ubiquitous they can be found in the deepest oceans, the highest mountains, the bellies of animals and even in our blood streams. Heightened awareness among consumers about the health and environmental consequences of plastic packaging has led to increased demand for sustainable alternatives.
Brands are under pressure to respond to consumer preferences and demonstrate their commitment to environmental stewardship.
“ The plastic packaging sector is at a critical juncture, facing both significant challenges and exciting opportunities for innovation and sustainability ”
One promising avenue for addressing the environmental impact of plastic packaging is the development of sustainable alternatives to traditional plastics, such as biodegradable plastics. Bioplastics, derived from renewable sources such as corn starch or sugarcane, break down more quickly in the environment, reducing the long-term accumulation of plastic waste and offer potential solutions to mitigate the environmental impact of plastic production and disposal.
Advances in packaging design and technology have led to the development of packaging that is easier to recycle. Innovations such as SEE’s new space-saving bubble wrap inflator produce on-demand cushioning and wrapping with a higher degree of recycled plastic and save space and thus transportation costs and associated emissions. Similarly, advances in recycling technologies, such as chemical recycling and improvements to mechanical recycling, offer promise for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of plastic recycling and aim to close the loop on plastic.
Many companies in the plastic packaging sector are now wholeheartedly embracing the principles of the circular economy, and prioritising recycling, reuse, and waste reduction. By redesigning products and packaging for recyclability and incorporating recycled materials into their supply chains, these companies are actively working to create a more sustainable future for the entire sector.
Addressing the complex challenges of plastic packaging requires collaboration right across the value chain. Companies are partnering with suppliers, customers, and other stakeholders to develop innovative solutions and drive collective action.
“ companies are wholeheartedly embracing the principles of the circular economy ”
Consumer demand for transparency is growing rapidly, and the internet has facilitated this shift. As such companies are increasingly accountable for their environmental impact. By providing information about their packaging materials, sourcing practices, and recycling efforts, companies can build trust and credibility with consumers.
While plastics have revolutionised numerous industries and improved our quality of life, the environmental challenges associated with plastic production and disposal underscore the need for sustainable solutions and responsible consumption practices in the 21st century.
The plastic packaging sector is at a critical juncture, facing both significant challenges and exciting opportunities for innovation and sustainability. By embracing new technologies, collaborating across the value chain, and prioritising environmental stewardship, companies can navigate this evolving landscape and contribute to a more sustainable future.
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SPN asked Future Market Insights (FMI) to provide us with an up-to-the-minute status of trends in delivering the Circular Economy. Here is their response dedicated to our readers.
True to its name, Circular Economy is a system designed and promoted as a rotational type of system in which each component acts as a part that can be reduced, reused and recycled in such a way that the component stays in the loop throughout. Essentially, the circular economy advocates for closed-loop system designs and circular resources so that raw materials stay in the supply chain, or the system on the whole.
Using more effective methods that take into account a component’s whole lifecycle, circular economies eliminate waste through design. This ensures that the waste that does arise is as high-quality as possible, allowing natural resources to be reused.
The concept of a Circular Economy first surfaced in 1960 when concepts related to non-linear and closed systems, like the ones found in nature, were being discussed by policy makers such as ecologists, economists and academics. This was the first time that the existing linear economies that were being followed and promoted by manufacturers and the government were being challenged. Up until then, a uni-directional economic model was being followed which involved the production, consumption and deportation of products and components in the economy. The concept of circular economy on the other hand believed that the parts of an economy should stay in circulation as long as possible, thereby using the full potential of resources until they are perished.
In addition to using many of the waste prevention techniques that we currently use, such as reduction, repair, and recycling, a circular economy looks to nature for inspiration when creating robust, adaptive, feedback-rich systems that support sustainable functionality and allow resources to regenerate.
It also places a strong emphasis on controlled water systems and clean, renewable energy to support thriving ecosystems. A worldwide system where we can mostly rely on resources we have previously collected, as opposed to neglecting recycling and exploiting raw materials, is the ultimate goal of a circular economy.
“Zero waste is primarily focused on eliminating or reducing the waste generated by various economic activities. It is defined as the conservation of resources by methods of responsible production, usage, consumption and reuse of products and materials without disposing them in a way which is harmful for the environment and in turn the human health. Zero waste is a concept introduced so that corporations and governments focus on policies and economic structures whose end product is causing little to no trouble for the environment in the form of hazardous landfills, unhealthy burning and dumping in the oceans etc.” - Ismail Sutaria, Future Market Insights
Although recycling and resource conservation have long been popular concepts, the phrase “zero waste” and the movement as it is known today emerged in the 1970s when people realized how many resources were being disposed of in landfills. Over the following few decades, what started as a grassroots movement to reduce landfilling and incineration turned into reforms in local government policy as well as international law. Over the past ten years, the term zero waste has gotten more and more popular, partly because it has measurable and defined goals and it aligns well with the sustainability movement, particularly with customers. This indicates that a lot of businesses have made commitments to demonstrate their sustainability by going “zero waste” within a specific period.
Zero waste is an advocate for a pollution free environmentrather a garbage free environment. If the waste is not produced, the process of harmful disposal of it using methods like burning and throwing it in landfills does not arise at all.
The circular economy has had a significant influence on zero-waste thinking since its ideas preceded the zero-waste movement by several decades. It is reasonable to argue that the circular economy takes into account the whole current consumption system, whereas the zero-waste movement is a subset of circular thinking that primarily targets businesses and individuals that wish to minimize waste.
Zero waste can be considered as the ultimate aim or goal for the circular economy. The concept of a circular economy believes that the components of an ecosystem should stay in the loop for the longest time possible and eliminate the need of disposing it. Zero waste is the answer to the question - How can economies be run without the end product residue harming the environment. It can therefore be inferred that zero waste is a part of the objectives of the circular economy. It is like a cog in the wheel of a circular economy - a very important part and aim.
Zero waste is a workable approach, as demonstrated by creative practitioners, social entrepreneurs, forward-thinking legislators, and cooperatives of recyclers and other waste management professionals in cities and regions throughout the world. Zero waste solutions, as opposed to the process of burning waste, safeguard the environment and public health while also generating jobs and saving money.
These initiatives complement extended producer responsibility, clean production, and waste minimization plans for hazardous and difficult-to-recycle commodities. When combined, these processes offer some of the most convenient options for lowering greenhouse gas emissions and preserving natural resources and energy. They offer tremendous potential for the growth of regional economies, working towards the ultimate goal of achieving zero waste in a circular economy.
Infrastructure : It will need a large amount of money and coordination to build the sorting, recycling, and reprocessing facilities, trash collection services, and other facilities needed to sustain a circular economy.
Technological Restrictions : Because of certain materials’ technological restrictions, recycling or reusing them can be expensive or complex. Creating new technology to get around these restrictions can be difficult.
Behavioural Change : Because of ingrained habits and ignorance, it can be difficult to persuade individuals, organizations, and governments to embrace new practices that emphasize recycling, reuse, and waste reduction. The scalability and comparability of circular initiatives might be hampered by the lack of established definitions, metrics, and certifications for circularity.
Supply Chain Complexity : From product design and manufacture to consumption and disposal, cooperation and coordination are needed throughout the supply chain to achieve a circular economy. It can be difficult to coordinate these initiatives, particularly in international supply networks.
Policy and Regulation : The transition to a circular economy may be hampered by insufficient or inconsistent laws and rules related to resource usage, recycling, and waste management. It is essential to articulate laws and offer rewards for circular activities.
Resource Scarcity : The availability of particular resources gets scarcer as the world’s population and consumption levels rise, making it difficult to manage resources sustainably and circularly.
Complexity of Materials : Because of their complexity, certain materials, including composite materials or polymers with several layers, are difficult to recycle or reuse. A circular economy requires finding practical uses for these resources.
The Circular Economy encourages closed-loop systems that minimize waste through design by reducing, reusing, and recycling components to keep resources in circulation. It was first introduced in the 1960s and opposes linear economic models by promoting sustainability and resource conservation that are modelled after natural systems. Zero Waste is a concept that first surfaced in the 1970s and has since gained popularity because it sets quantifiable targets for minimizing waste produced by economic activity through responsible production, usage, and reuse. Zero Waste falls in line with sustainability efforts that are put forth to reduce harm on the environment.
“ Zero waste solutions have proven successful in protecting the environment, creating jobs, and saving resources despite obstacles ”
The ultimate goal of the circular economy is zero waste, which tries to reduce trash disposal and maintain components in circulation. In addition to clean production, waste minimization, and enhanced producer responsibility, it provides easy ways to reduce emissions and conserve resources.
Implementing a circular economy is challenging due to the requirement for infrastructural development, technological barriers to material recycling, and difficulty in supply chain coordination. Obstacles also include material complexity, scarce resources, inconsistent policies and regulations, and behavioural shift.
Zero waste solutions have proven successful in protecting the environment, creating jobs, and saving resources despite obstacles. In the process of moving toward a circular economy with zero waste, they present opportunities for local economic growth. In general, zero waste is seen as an essential component of the goals of the circular economy, acting as a cog in the wheel of sustainable resource management.
KP Films told SPN: “We must get serious about closing the tray material loop! As the global demand for packaged goods continues to rise, so does the urgency to address the environmental impact of packaging waste. One of the fundamental challenges we face in food tray recycling is the inefficiency recovery of PET materials. Despite efforts to promote recycling and heavy global investment in infrastructure, a significant portion of valuable food contact-approved tray material is wasted during the recycling process, ending up in secondary applications”.
“While still giving new life to recycled material, this inefficiency results in industries such as fresh protein and produce still heavily relying on virgin materials, exacerbating the strain on natural resources and stalling the journey towards a robust circular economy.
To truly address this issue, we must shift our focus from simply recycling trays to reaching the next step and firmly closing the loop on the packaging lifecycle. We need to look at not only how plastic food trays are recycled, but how we’re making new packaging designs. It’s going to be a question of creating innovative solutions that enable tray materials to be reused and recycled more efficiently, thereby preserving their value and reducing reliance on virgin resources.
We must ask how we can create a more coherent, connected loop that keeps valuable PET material circulating as trays rather than downcycled into other product categories.
Our team at kp asked this very question when creating kp Tray2Tray®. This is our initiative designed to rewrite the recycling rulebook for tray packaging and ensures the future of the packaging format is as tough and durable as the trays themselves. We are on a mission to recover used food packaging and turn it back into more of the same, as safe, and fully recyclable rPET food packaging. Over time, trays have been developed with ever higher percentages of recycled material from trays and we currently include up to 35% RecyClass certified content. However, we are on the verge of becoming the first company to provide a full 100% kp Tray2Tray® food tray, composed entirely recycled PET material from trays.
This milestone will mark a significant moment in the evolution of the food tray production industry, and points towards the future of the industry. It also underscores the importance of investing in innovative solutions that enable closed-loop systems for tray packaging, where materials are continuously recycled and reused without becoming lost to other applications. We are setting a new standard for the industry and inspiring others to follow suit in the journey towards a more circular economy in food tray production”.
As industries focus on improving their sustainability and adopting circular practices, the issue of greenwashing has become more prominent. European governments are taking significant steps to address this challenge. Meanwhile, increasingly, consumer purchasing is driven by environmental considerations. Social responsibility remains as important as ever.
Alive to all these factors, brands, retailers, and manufacturers continue to drive innovation, developing more sustainable packaging solutions to minimise food and packaging waste. But the fact is, if a packaging format such as a food or beverage can was invented today, it would be hailed as a breakthrough packaging design. Rigid metal packaging is a well-established, ready-made solution and the perfect partner to deliver a more circular economy.
Consumers rightly expect a lot from their products and the benefits of metal packaging include its long shelf life, its prevention of waste and the superior protection it offers from external factors. Significantly, for food products, metal packaging also helps to preserve nutritional value and cut food waste in the home which is a major contributor to climate change. In the EU around 88 million tonnes of food waste are generated annually with associated costs of 143 billion euros.
Today, a key challenge for every industry is to reduce dependence on raw materials. Rigid metal packaging is a model example of circularity as it is a permanent material. Regardless of the number of times metal is recycled, its inherent properties do not change. Once produced for the first time and properly collected, sorted, and processed at the end of its life, metal packaging becomes a valuable, circular resource for continuous production loops.
Easy and economical to sort and separate from non-metallic materials and recycle at scale, rigid metal packaging contributes some of the highest recycling rates among all packaging materials. In 2021, 78.5% of steel packaging was recycled in Europe. This figure corresponds to the amount of packaging that is really recycled and not just collected, aligning with the progressive approach adopted by the EU. At the same time, 76% of aluminium beverage cans were recycled in Europe.
“ Metal Packaging Europe will continue to serve as the unified voice for Europe’s rigid metal packaging industry ”
The total amount of aluminium recycled from cans reached a record level of 570,000 tonnes, an increase of 60,000 tonnes from the previous year. This result represents a total Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions saving of 4.7 million tonnes of CO₂ – equivalent to the annual amount of GHG produced by a European city of more than half a million inhabitants.
In 2024 and beyond, Metal Packaging Europe will continue to serve as the unified voice for Europe’s rigid metal packaging industry. Our efforts will centre on helping the value chain achieve net zero by 2050, continuing to deliver the social and environmental benefits we know rigid metal packaging provides, and a process of driving continual improvements in transparency. By championing sustainability, reducing reliance on raw materials, and maximising the circular economy benefits of metal packaging, MPE aims to deliver a more sustainable future for all citizens.
Metal packaging actively contributes to the Circular Economy and supports numerous value chains and applications, like beverages, food, fish, chemicals, paints, aerosol, and others. For further information visit: https://metalpackagingeurope.org/
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Bpacks Launches World’s First Bark-Based Packaging Technology to Seamlessly Replace Plastic Materials. The company’s new technology is fully compatible with existing production streams and targets the $384 billion global plastic packaging market.
Bpacks, a sustainable packaging startup, announced the launch of the world’s first bark-based packaging technology. The new materials seamlessly integrate with current equipment used for all kinds of plastic rigid packaging production, facilitating the shift to eco-packaging. This is especially important, as the European Union’s policy directives have mandated the transition to biodegradable packaging within the next five years.
Bpacks’ 300 square meters R&D centre, which is based in Belgrade, Serbia, enables the production of both finished packaging and granules as substitutes for plastic pellets.
“ our packaging is 100% bio-based, with up to 75% of materials sourced from production waste ”
The bark-based pellets’ production process closely resembles that of polymers and doesn’t require capital investments to begin moulding, since the manufacturing process mirrors that of plastic production.
The Bpacks’ production process starts with compounding, followed by the creation of pellets or sheets, and concludes with the casting of solid packaging, which takes place either by injection moulding or thermoforming techniques. The material should fully decompose in moist soil within one to two months. Nowadays, the most common biodegradable polymers such as PLA or PBAT eventually decompose into water and carbon dioxide in compost. However, neither of these adds useful material to it. Bark-based material, on the other hand, turns into compost within a week in an active environment, and enriches the compost with valuable nutrients.
Mikhail Skalkin
“Traditional bio packaging often struggles to compete with its plastic counterparts in terms of pricing and integration complexity. Our bio-based plastic substitute can be manufactured using existing plastic production equipment, eliminating the need for plastic factories to purchase new equipment.
This facilitates overcoming the market penetration challenges that most sustainable packaging startups are facing. Moreover, our packaging is 100% bio-based, with up to 75% of materials sourced from production waste. We also utilize pre-owned equipment, which helps decrease our CO2 emissions,” explained Mikhail Skalkin, Co-founder and CEO of Bpacks.
Utilising bark, waste of wood production, as its primary raw material, Bpacks ensures that forest resources are not further strained. With estimated bark production levels between 300 and 400 million m3 annually, the startup leverages this abundant resource to create environmentally friendly packaging solutions.
Furthermore, studies have highlighted the antimicrobial potential of bark extracts from various tree species, enhancing the functionality of Bpacks’ technology, which emits up to six times fewer CO2 emissions compared to traditional plastic production methods.
Founded by an experienced team of entrepreneurs and Ph.D. scientists, and backed by an international advisory board, Bpacks is a circular economy startup operating in Europe and the United Kingdom. The company’s CEO and co-founder, Mikhail Skalkin, has an extensive entrepreneurial background, including experience in M&A transactions involving large financial companies in Eastern Europe.
The founding team also includes Lev Bolshakov, who has a proven record in corporate finance, startup valuations, and M&A, and has closed deals surpassing $300 million in value, Nikolay Semenov, Ph.D., a researcher, engineer, and an expert in polymer materials science. Semenov is in charge of leading the firm’s R&D innovations together with Aleksandra Nešić, Ph.D., who has extensive experience obtaining and characterizing active substances from plants and organic materials.
Bpacks is backed by a strong advisory board of international scientists such as professor Maximilian Lackner, Ph.D., a process chemist and engineer with over 200 articles published.
“ Utilising bark, waste of wood production, as its primary raw material, Bpacks ensures that forest resources are not further strained ”
With the global packaging market reaching €1 trillion, and the sustainable packaging sector valued at $285.3 billion, Bpacks targets a very attractive and dynamic market opportunity. The firm aims to capture a slice of the $348.1 billion companies spend annually on plastic-based products, and which has spurred the emergence of novel materials and circular economy ventures, which offer biodegradable, compostable, returnable, and even edible sustainable packaging solutions.
PakTech is making waves in the packaging industry by championing the circular economy with their innovative and sustainable secondary packaging solutions. They exemplify that it’s possible to combine environmental responsibility with business success, offering products that are eco-friendly, functional and consumer preferred.
At the core of PakTech’s mission is the belief that the life cycle of packaging should be circular and shouldn’t end at the landfill. This is why they manufacture 100% recycled HDPE packaging handles made from recycled containers and design their products to be fully recyclable, encouraging a circular system that minimizes waste. By repurposing recycled plastic containers into high-quality packaging handles, PakTech is leading by example, through their circular economy model.
PakTech’s commitment to the circular economy extends beyond their product design. The company has set up over 800 recycling programs that encourage customers to return used handles, which are then recycled and made into new products. This initiative is a testament to PakTech’s dedication to sustainability, ensuring that materials are kept in use for as long as possible reducing the need for new resources.
Recently they reached the milestone of repurposing over a billion recycled containers into PakTech handles. PakTech is not just talking about environmental responsibility—they are putting their principles into action while their stats showcase their impressive sustainability story.
This achievement highlights the company’s role in reducing carbon and greenhouse gas emissions while saving energy, making a real difference in the fight against waste and climate change.
PakTech also takes their role in championing ESG goals seriously, using renewable energy for their manufacturing processes and supporting local recycling and educational programs. This holistic approach to sustainability shows that PakTech believes in a future where business and environmental goals are aligned.
In today’s world, where environmental sustainability is increasingly important to consumers and businesses alike, PakTech stands out as a trusted and proven market leader in sustainable packaging. By embracing the circular economy, PakTech is not just making a statement about their sustainable values—they’re paving the way for a more sustainable packaging industry.
From the desk of Steve Gislam
In an age of electric cars, geopolitical turmoil, and billionaires in space, the phrase resource efficiency isn’t grabbing any headlines – which is a terrible shame because it’s probably more important to the average person’s everyday life than any of those things. Nonetheless, slowly but surely, humanity is beginning to face the fact that the resources that this planet – our only home - possesses are finite. We all know that if we don’t start fixing the roof of our home while the sun is still shining, things are going to heat up really fast.
Given that the effects of climate change are becoming ever more difficult to ignore, and consumers increasingly concerned, businesses across all sectors must strive to minimise their environmental impact. Those that fall behind are unlikely to survive the green transition. The packaging sector is no different. Crucial to reducing that impact and transitioning to green is resource efficiency which, if utilised effectively, can also aid waste reduction and improve the way in which resources are used.
While the phrase may be a new one, it is a concept as old as humanity itself. Since the earliest days of human settlement, there has been a drive to get as much as possible out of as little as possible. Sometimes this was driven by scarcity, sometimes by greed, but it’s always been there.
Fast forward to the 21st century and this drive comes from necessity as we face a worsening climate crisis. The good news is, though, that we are better placed to maximise resource efficiency than ever before.
Put simply, “resource efficiency” refers to the optimal usage of finite resources to achieve maximum output. It also incorporates waste minimisation, energy consumption and environmental impact. The word “resources” refers to anything a business uses such as raw materials, money, energy, water, and labour.
Naturally, it goes without saying that there is quite a lot more to resource efficiency that than first meets the eye and it differs across different sectors. There are, however, a number of key aspects. Let’s dig a little deeper into some of those:
• Reduction of waste generation can be achieved with the take up of processes, technologies and practices that reduce material losses and emissions throughout the production and consumption cycle.
• Ensuring the effective and efficient use of resources without unnecessary consumption or depletion. This could be manufacturing products, delivering services, or providing infrastructure.
• Embracing principles of the circular economy. There’s a focus here on closing the resource loop through promotion of reuse, recycling, and remanufacturing to extract as much value as possible from materials as well as minimising resource extraction and disposal.
• Maximising energy resource productivity by employing energy-efficient technologies, processes, and systems to cut energy use and emissions.
• Implementing measures to reduce water consumption and water waste. Also adopting practices which enhance water reuse and recycling which can mitigate scarcity and environmental degradation.
• The streamlining of supply chains to minimise input of resources, transport distances, and inventory levels while still ensuring the timely delivery of goods and services.
• The promotion of sustainable consumption and production practices which prioritise resource efficiency, environmental stewardship, and social responsibility throughout the value chain.
• Embracing innovation and deploying advanced technologies to develop resource-efficient solutions, optimise processes, and improvements in productivity.
• The consideration of the entire lifecycle of products and services. This means everything from extraction of raw materials to end-of-life disposal or recycling and identifying opportunities for resource efficiency improvements at each of those stages.
• Engaging with stakeholders across the value chain including suppliers, retailers and consumers to foster collaboration, share best practices, and drive collective action towards achieving resource efficiency.
Given the importance of resource efficiency to the future of the climate as well as the longevity of a business, choosing the right strategy to achieve this can make all the difference. Here are a few of those strategies and technologies that can aid with resource efficiency in the packaging industry.
Adopting eco-friendly materials and designing packaging with recyclability, reusability, and biodegradability in mind can significantly reduce resource consumption and waste generation. Sustainable design includes using materials such as recycled paper, cardboard, bioplastics, and compostable materials.
Reducing the weight of packaging materials while maintaining the strength and functionality helps minimise resource consumption and keeps transportation costs down.
Lightweighting can involve using thinner layers of materials, optimising structural design, and employing advanced materials with high strength-to-weight ratios.
Minimise use of packaging materials by optimising package sizes, eliminating unnecessary components, and using packaging designs that require fewer resources. This reduces the amount of material used while still providing adequate product protection.
Implementing reusable packaging solutions, such as containers, bottles, and pallets, can significantly reduce the need for single-use packaging. Reusable packaging also helps decrease waste generation and resource consumption over multiple product cycles.
Use packaging materials that are widely recyclable and ensuring proper infrastructure for collection and processing. Implementing closed-loop systems, where packaging materials are recycled back into new packaging products, help conserve resources and reduce the need for virgin materials.
Utilise packaging materials that are biodegradable or compostable, which break down naturally into non-toxic components. This approach reduces waste and can even contribute to soil health when composted.
Streamlining packaging processes and logistics helps minimise resource consumption, energy usage, and emissions throughout the supply chain. This includes optimising packaging designs for efficient storage, handling, and transportation.
Investment in emerging technologies such as 3D printing, nanotechnology, and advanced material science may be costly at first, but it does allow for the development of more sustainable packaging solutions and can even cut costs over time. These technologies can also allow for the creation of novel materials and packaging designs that are more resource-efficient and environmentally friendly.
Conduct comprehensive lifecycle assessments to evaluate the environmental impacts of packaging materials and processes. It’s a more holistic approach that helps identify opportunities for improvements all along the value chain and informs decision-making towards improved sustainability.
Fostering collaborations with suppliers, manufacturers, retailers, and consumers can help boost a culture of sustainability and also drive collective action towards improving resource efficiency across the packaging sector.
Engaging stakeholders throughout the value chain facilitates knowledge sharing, innovation, and the adoption of best practices. By implementing some or all of these strategies and leveraging innovative technologies, the packaging sector can enhance resource efficiency, reduce environmental footprint, and contribute to a more sustainable future.
Resource efficiency is more a continual work in progress than a task that gets completed. Improvements in technology and broadening understanding of sustainable practices are ongoing, and as such keeping up with new trends and developments can bring rewards in this area.
While there is no quick fix, it is something that every company, not just those in the packaging sector, can benefit from financially, but also in terms of environmental impact. And as the green transition continues apace, can your company afford not to use its resources more efficiently?
Educating young minds concerning the importance of corrugated packaging and sustainability is of paramount importance. In 2019, the Sheet Plant Association was introduced to the TICCIT project (Trees Into Cartons, Cartons in Trees), an international outreach programme intended to introduce sustainability of paper-based products to Schools.
Avanti Primary
Steve Gabell (SPA sustainability committee member) and his employer RH Fibreboard Containers Ltd ran the project with local schools prior to the Covid Pandemic, which involved going into the school and teaching children about trees, paper, corrugated and sustainability benefits. At the end of the presentation, there is a practical session in which the children make up small boxes and plant a tree sapling into it. The children are gifted their tree saplings, which they then take home to plant the box directly into the ground. Over time the tree grows, and the box biodegrades into the soil.
Early this year Steve and RH Fibreboard have re-launched the school visits whilst at the same time encouraging members of the Sheet Plant Association to take up the ‘new look’ project, visiting schools and educating young minds about cardboard products, recycling, and manufacturing. So far this winter, 3 local schools have been visited with more planned and 100 trees have been donated.
“ The informative and engaging sessions not only taught us about the importance of tree planting but also instilled a sense of responsibility towards our environment ”
The presentation is an engaging open session for 7-9 year olds, and is designed to be interactive with lots of questions and answers. The children learn about nature, informative facts about trees, sustainable forestry, the high recycling rates of cardboard and why it’s a good packaging choice for our environment. The practical element of it demonstrates that even when cardboard does not go into the recycling loop, it still returns to the soil as it biodegrades.
The benefits stretch far beyond those which are directly related to donating trees to children. The project supports teachers with engaging sessions and materials.
Harry Penny, head teacher of Avanti Primary commented: “The team’s commitment to environmental education and sustainability left an indelible mark on our students. The informative and engaging sessions not only taught us about the importance of tree planting but also instilled a sense of responsibility towards our environment. The handson experience of planting trees not only enhanced our understanding but also created a lasting memory for everyone involved.”
It is also hoped that these sessions will inspire children in the future to look for a career in the industry and helps to look after the environment at the same time through promotion. Aligning businesses within a community help to build these fundamentally advantageous links with industry.
Industry 4.0 - also known as the Fourth Industrial Revolution or 4IR, is the next phase in the digitisation of the manufacturing sector. This is driven by disruptive trends including the rise of data and connectivity, analytics, human-machine interaction, and improvements in robotics.
The 21st-century industrial revolution is digital. Industry 4.0, the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and 4IR all refer to the current era of connectivity, advanced analytics, automation, and advanced manufacturing technology that has been transforming global business for years. This wave of change in the manufacturing sector began in the mid-2010s and holds significant potential for operations and the future of production. The recent McKinsey report excerpts offer some valuable insights.
Steam propelled the original Industrial Revolution; electricity powered the second; preliminary automation and machinery engineered the third; and cyber-physical systems, or intelligent computers are shaping the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
Before 2014, the Google search term “Industry 4.0” was practically non-existent, but by 2019, 68 percent of respondents to a McKinsey global survey regarded Industry 4.0 as a top strategic priority. Seventy percent said their companies were already piloting or deploying new technology.
4IR builds on the inventions of the Third Industrial Revolution or digital revolution which unfolded from the 1950s and to the early 2000s and brought us computers, other kinds of electronics, the Internet, and much more. Industry 4.0 brings these inventions beyond the previous realm of possibility with four foundational types of disruptive technologies that can be applied all along the value chain:
1. connectivity, data, and computational power: cloud technology, the Internet, blockchain, sensors
2. analytics and intelligence: advanced analytics, machine learning, artificial intelligence
3. human–machine interaction: virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), robotics and automation, autonomous guided vehicles
4. advanced engineering: additive manufacturing (such as, 3-D printing), renewable energy, nanoparticles
Technology, however, is only half of the Industry 4.0 equation. To thrive in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, companies must ensure that their workers are properly equipped through upskilling and reskilling and then hire new people when necessary. Upskilling is key and means that employees learn new skills to help them in their current positions as the skills they need evolve. Reskilling is the real challenge: workers are retrained with new skills that will enable them to fill different positions within their companies.
“ companies must ensure that their workers are properly equipped through upskilling ”
This is increasingly vital as disruptive technologies transform job requirements, but the outlook on reskilling differs geographically. In Europe, 94 percent of surveyed executives believe that the balance between hiring and reskilling should be equal or tip toward reskilling, compared with only 62 percent of US respondents.
“ 94% of the respondents to a McKinsey survey said that Industry 4.0 had helped keep the operations of their companies running, and 56% considered these technologies critical to the crisis response ”
The end-to-end skill transformation has three phases:
1. scout - analyse the skills required to achieve a company’s ambitions
2. shape - identify talent gaps that must be addressed and design the program infrastructure to address them
3. shiftdevelop and implement content and delivery mechanisms to train workers at scale
A conversation with Francisco Betti (head of the Platform for Shaping the Future of Advanced Manufacturing and Production, launched by the World Economic Forum and the CEOs of Flex, Protolabs, and Western Digital offers perspective and real-world insights on building workforce capabilities and shifting mindsets for successful digital transformations in manufacturing.
The benefits can go far beyond business outcomes. In the words of Western Digital CEO David Goeckeler, “It’s not just about our company being better and us being prepared for the future; it’s about all of our employees being ready for that future—keeping them at the center, having them highly engaged, all of the reskilling, getting them excited about what the future holds.”
The Fourth Industrial Revolution could make products and services more easily accessible and transmissible for businesses, consumers, and stakeholders all along the value chain. Preliminary data indicate that successfully scaling 4IR technology makes supply chains more efficient and working hours more productive, reduces factory waste, and has countless other benefits for employees, stakeholders, and consumers.
Implementing Industry 4.0 technology is also especially advantageous amid the challenges of the pandemic. In fact, COVID-19 has accelerated the 4IR transition because physical distancing and shifting consumer demands forced companies to embrace digitization and contactless operations. Six months into the pandemic, 94 percent of the respondents to a McKinsey survey said that Industry 4.0 had helped keep the operations of their companies running, and 56 percent considered these technologies critical to the crisis response.
Before the pandemic, the top motivators for companies to digitize varied by industry. But in 2020, three drivers were common across all sectors and geographies: agility, flexibility, and manufacturing efficiency. Companies that had already scaled up Industry 4.0 technologies before COVID-19 were better positioned to handle the challenges that arose.
Peter Stein, CEO of Nomoq and campaigner for greater sustainability, has provided SPN with some very interesting answers to our written questions.
How ‘sustainability-aware’ would you say your company is and what recent measures have you taken to improve your overall contribution to the circular economy?
“NOMOQ is deeply committed to sustainability. Our digital can printing process minimises waste, contributing significantly to the circular economy. We proudly strive to ensure NOMOQ, and our clients remain eco-conscious”.
In relation to sustainability, what would you say have been your most important milestones?
“We provide cans to customers in more than 10 countries and sustainable packaging solutions supplier, Ardagh, invested €15 million in us to help drive our green vision. Most importantly we want to replace all labelled and shrink sleeved beverage cans to reduce the use of plastic and the share of non-recyclable material. Also, we proudly won Can of the Year in 2022 by Canmaker’s magazine, due to our quality packaging and commitment to the environment.”
In your opinion what have been the most significant developments in terms of recycling and bio-degradable packaging?
“Research has shown that aluminium cans are the ideal alternative to plastic packaging. NOMOQ uses aluminium cans as they are infinitely recyclable, as well as being lightweight, achieving high transport and storage efficiencies and affordable At NOMOQ, we proudly champion inclusive sustainability”
What do you consider to be the most promising market opportunities for your company at this time?
“Sustainability remains at the top of the agenda across the drinks industry; however, eco-consciousness too often comes with an elevated price tag. NOMOQ’s unique order process allows small craft businesses to minimise waste, their carbon footprint, and, most importantly, cost.”
For more information on Nomoq visit: https://www.nomoq.com/
What are the key drivers for change in your industry sector and how much is the on-going pressure for greater sustainability and recycling affecting your productivity?
“The continual push for more sustainable practices is a crossindustry endeavour. In many countries, governing bodies are creating incentives to drive this change, and at NOMOQ, we are excited to propel drinks businesses forward to meet these goals.
We even allow our customers to get ahead of the curve, as requirements for minimising non-recyclable packaging materials will be implemented within the next years in many markets”
As we are keen to understand more about the latest trends shaping the packaging industry in your sector, what do you consider to be the most significant recent developments?
“Recent trends in the drinks industry highlight a growing preference for either reusable packaging or 100% recyclable materials. In terms of design, interest in digital printing is rising due to its eco-friendly attributes and flexibility which don’t compromise on brand image”
Can you describe your product portfolio and its sustainability credentials?
“NOMOQ offers a diverse product portfolio, from customdesigned digital prints to sustainable packaging solutions. All our products are 100% recyclable, and our incredible client base is made of equally eco-conscious brands that share our commitment to sustainability”.
Are you planning the launch of any new products in the foreseeable future that you can tell us about?
“We are excited to announce the launch of NOMOQ’s first UK site arriving in early 2024, and with it, we are working with some incredible British brands to create eye-catching designs at low set up costs. Stay tuned to find out more!”
How has the Covid 19 pandemic affected your production and manufacturing capabilities?
“The pandemic posed challenges, but as we are a small company, we could swiftly adapt. By prioritising employee safety and implementing efficient work models, NOMOQ maintained effective production levels, ensuring minimal disruptions to our capabilities”
Peter Stein is an entrepreneur driven by sustainability having previously already founded and scaled 2 companies in the cleantech space: Sol-Suisse (purchased by https://www.bkw.com/ en) and energy efficiency start-up company GreenTEG (https://www.greenteg.com/en).
“ the place to find out how mega-trends like sustainability, digitalisation and technological innovations will affect the future of the print and paper industry ”
Over 260,000 visitors from 180 countries are attending drupa this year! It is the world’s leading and biggest trade show for printing technologies and takes place every four years in Düsseldorf Germany.
The latest innovations and developments in the industry are presented to thousands of trade visitors every day from 10am to 6pm at the Messe Düsseldorf exhibition centre.
From 28 May to 7 June, 2024, the print industry will focus on sustainability as the German industrial association VDMA Printing and Paper Technology and drupa together invite you to discuss the future. On an exhibition floor of 400 m2, the touchpoint sustainability will present a multitude of best-practice examples and innovative solutions by the most important stakeholders for increased sustainability along the entire added value chain of the industry.
The touchpoint sustainability is the forum by drupa in which the print and paper industry deals with its role within a sustainable transformation, and which offers a unique overview of the current state of the industry and its medium and long-term developments.
Technologies from mechanical and system engineering are especially important in this context, above all with regard to quality, process safety during production and sustainability. Digitalisation and AI play key parts, in order to accelerate the transformation process in the print and paper industry and to be able to realise scaling effects.
The touchpoint sustainability addresses these issues: Manufacturers, industry players, brands and users together show how the change can become reality. In order to map a cross-section of the industry which is as representative as possible, the list of companies included ranges from industry heavy-weights like Koenig & Bauer, Heidelberger Druckmaschinen, Müller Martini or Voith all the way to highly specialised start-ups.
How can you for example lower the consumption of energy and resources during production? How can the use of material and printing ink be reduced to a minimum, how can inks of all kinds be recycled and how can finishing be accomplished in a way that is gentle to the environment? Questions like these are being discussed at the touchpoint sustainability and presented in an easy-to-understand way that features a large number of use cases. Increases in efficiency, digital solutions, climate neutrality and circular economy are only some of the developments which will enter the spotlight at the touchpoint in Hall 14. They promise new business models and will shape the future of the global print and paper industry.
As a specialised panel forum, the touchpoint sustainability is not a classic trade fair booth. By contrast, it offers an industry-wide overview of the status quo, the challenges and opportunities of the overarching global trend of sustainability. This makes it a showroom and platform for dialogue at once. “drupa is THE globally leading trade fair of our industry. As a platform for the exchange of ideas, for discussions and transfer of knowledge, it is the place at which to find out how mega-trends like sustainability, digitalisation and technological innovations will affect the future of the print and paper industry. Cross-sectional forums like the touchpoint sustainability are central points of contact for this. Because more sustainability is best achieved if we all work together on the necessary innovations”, says Dr. Andreas Pleßke, chairman of the drupa committee and CEO of Koenig & Bauer, with regard to the importance of drupa and the touchpoint sustainability.
The drivers of sustainability, automation and workflow as the world continues to digitise and dominate most print and packaging operations. Recruiting and retaining skilled staff is increasingly difficult for many businesses as baby boomers retire and the younger digital native generations demand a different approach to their working life.
Digital print developments will be centre stage across all graphics, industrial and packaging and there will be further announcements this year at drupa. Digital packaging offers many opportunities for commercial printers looking to move into new sectors as many traditional print applications continue to decline. The same dynamic is encouraging more equipment suppliers to offer digital printing systems for labels, corrugated, cartons, flexible packaging, rigid plastics, glass and metal packaging.
The figures show how the suppliers of digital print equipment for labels and packaging has developed since this technology map was first produced in 2019. There has been a steady stream of new entrants, from established analogue print equipment suppliers and new providers leveraging their digital print expertise.
For more information visit: https://www.achema.de/en/
In June, Frankfurt will once again be the centre of the chemical, pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries: The 34th ACHEMA will be opened by the German Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Robert Habeck on June 10. The ACHEMA kick-off will focus on the question of how the process industry can successfully position itself in a changing world. On all five days of the trade show, a diverse programme for young people will also contribute to securing the future of the industry.
The process industry is facing many challenges. The decades - long trend towards greater globalisation is currently being replaced by increasing instability and, in some cases, protectionist tendencies in trade policy. Meanwhile, the shift towards greater sustainability, the development of the hydrogen economy and the endeavour to secure raw materials require new global networks.
How do companies in the process industry position themselves in this environment? What technologies are needed to respond to the new challenges? And what political framework conditions need to be created to enable an economic transformation that meets the global challenge of climate change in particular? These questions will be the focus of this year’s ACHEMA opening event on the evening of the first day of the trade show, June 10, 2024 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. in Room Europa in Hall 4.0.
“ACHEMA once again emphasises its role as a central platform and meeting place for all stakeholders in the process industry. With a notable surge in exhibitors and one of the most diverse lecture programmes in recent ACHEMA history, this year’s event also offers an unparalleled opportunity for young technical and scientific talent”, says Dr Björn Mathes, CEO of DECHEMA Ausstellungs-GmbH.
This year, Marchesini Group celebrates its 50th anniversary: an important milestone and a unique opportunity to start to think about the future. 2024 will be a year rich in new projects, looking ahead and sharing new ideas and new solutions.
Innovation, new technologies, and sustainability will be the guiding principles of this extraordinary year, with important events for the sector, foremost among them Achema 2024. From June 10th to 14th, the Group will showcase numerous solutions at booth G3, including a production line for autoinjector pens with a cartoner that produces packages in paper trays.
This solution presents new-design paper tray, researched and developed entirely by the Group itself, which generates savings of about fifty percent in paper and about fifty percent in glue compared to the models currently on the market. What’s more, the new paper tray is less thick, providing space savings of thirty percent when products are combined inside the case, with obvious benefits during shipment in terms of load capacities and relative CO2 emissions.
“More and more customers are calling us in for projects that involve the sustainability of packaging materials,” Group CEO Pietro Cassani tells - “Good results in this area require a high degree of cooperation between ourselves as automatic machinery constructors and the suppliers of the packaging materials; the issue must be tackled with a holistic approach that considers all the requirements involved and increasingly embraces the packaging’s entire lifecycle”.
The CHEMUK 2024 EXPO will return this 15th & 16th May to the NEC, Birmingham. CHEMUK continues to grow, with over five hundred exhibitors expected for this year’s event.
Event organiser Ian Stone comments, “This is the 5th edition in the CHEMUK journey, from its launch back in 2019, and it’s amazing to now see every corner of the ‘chemicals industries’ rallying around this annual ‘destination’.
CHEMUK 2024 can boast its largest-ever showing of suppliers and partners supporting industrial chemicals, fine and specialty chemicals, chemical-formulated products, chemical and biochemical engineering and processing operations, chemical distribution and logistics, R&D and product development, and chemical-dependent communities, spanning 14,000 sqm of floor space under one giant roof.
The multi-stage speaker programmes will also be announced soon, with an impressive array of leading figures, thought leaders, and organisations tackling the big issues and trends shaping, challenging, empowering, and enabling the UK’s chemical and chemical product industries”.
CHEMUK 2024 is comprised of four focused show zones; the Chemicals Supply Show Zone, the Chemicals Management Show Zone, the Process & Chemical Engineering Show Zone and the Chemical Laboratory Show Zone
The Chemicals Supply Show Zone will showcase manufacturers and distributors of chemicals, ingredients, and raw materials to attending R&D, product development, and supply chain teams.
Exhibitors confirmed to exhibit in this area include Brenntag UK&I, BTC UK, Univar Solutions, Caldic, BTC Europe, IMCD UK, and many others.
The Chemicals Management Show Zone will present suppliers providing products, services, and equipment covering logistics and transportation; storage, containment, labelling and packaging; HSE management, REACH, and regulatory compliance; waste management and recycling services; skills, training, and recruitment; and financial and legal support.
Exhibitors confirmed to exhibit in this zone include AST Plastic Containers, Avery UK, CIRS, Dachser, Freightroute, Hoyer Group, Ramboll, Ricardo, and many more.
The Process & Chemical Engineering Show Zone will showcase the latest engineering technology and specialist services to attending plant, process, control, and engineering professionals from across the chemical and wider process industries.
Exhibitors confirmed to exhibit in this area include ABB, GEMU Great Britain, Funke UK, Hytorc, Kluber Lubrication, ProMinent Fluid Controls, Silverson Machines, Staubli, WIKA, Siemens, plus many others.
The Chemical Laboratory Show Zone will showcase specialist laboratory chemical and chemical equipment suppliers supporting R&D, analysis, process design and development, flow chemistry, scale-up, and quality testing within the chemical and chemical product industries.
Exhibitors confirmed to exhibit in this area include GPE Scientific, IKA England, Lambda Photometrics, Radleys, Scimed, ECH Scientific, Mettler Toledo, Verder Scientific, and many others.
In addition to the exhibition floor, visitors can attend over fifty hours of keynotes, feature sessions, and panel discussions running across the show’s five auditoriums, embracing some 150+ contributing speakers.
The speaker programme will address the key challenges and opportunities facing today’s chemical industries.
Organisations provisionally confirmed to be hosting sessions at CHEMUK 2024 include: Nouryon, Clariant, CPI - Centre for Process Innovation, BASF, Biorenewables Development Centre, IChemE – Institute for Chemical Engineering, BASA - British Adhesives & Sealants Association, BCA - British Chemicals Association, CBA - Chemical Business Association, BADGP - British Association for Dangerous Goods Professionals, CHCS - Chemical Hazards Communications Society, CCUK - Cosmetics Cluster UK, GAMBICA, IBioIC, Innovate UK and BBSRC, UK Government – DBT, Defra, HSE, and The Home Office, RSC - Royal Society of Chemistry, Process Intensification Group / Newcastle University, IBioIC, ScotCHEM, Ricardo, Ramboll, Surfachem, Siemens, UK & Ireland Spill Association, WSP, plus many others.
The full speaker schedule will be announced on the website, so please check for updates and the latest announcements.
CHEMUK 2024 takes place on Wed 15th & Thu 16th May 2024
Venue: NEC - National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham, B40 1NT
Day 1: 9.30am – 5.00pm
Day 2: 9.30am – 4.00pm
Register for your FREE entry badge at: www.chemicalukexpo.com
The Circular Economy conference 2024 is now available to watch on our website
Featuring a wide range of speakers providing valuable insight into ways that services and packaging techniques can be circular and more sustainable.
Some of the speakers featured in the conference include...
Franciele Saorin Grupo Boticario
Zhanar Baishakova Advocate, Sustainable Design & Tech Innovation
Sanna Fager Chief Commercial Officer at PulPac
Filipe Viera de Castro CIRCPACK By Veolia
Winfried Muehling ProCarton
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