A hot topic to discuss

Paper-based packaging has been one of the hottest topics in the last months, from many perspectives: the increasing amount of plastic swapped for paper in supermarkets, the continuous innovation in design, and the companies that are understanding more and more the value (in terms of sustainability, but not just that) of paper-based packaging.

Reflecting this increasing interest, Two Sides – a partner of Burgo Group – has organised the first Packaging Webinar, during which ten experts gathered to deliver precious insights on this topic.

Here are some of the Packaging Webinar highlights.

An overview of the industries

Neil Osment, managing director of the research company NOA, talked about the progressive replacement of plastic with paper-based packaging, especially for the beer and soft-drinks market and for cleaning and laundry, chilled, and dairy sectors.

“My rallying call to everybody is: let’s go design and invent!” was Osment’s speech conclusion.

Tony Lock, UK&Ireland HP business manager, spoke about the printing industry and the values of digital printing, which could reduce packaging waste by up to 30%.

The latest trends in that industry are related to smaller and on-demand print runs, brand protection, waste reduction, and the strong influence of young people: all these factors will lead to further growth of digital printing and related industries.

The value of design

Everything related to packaging is not only about the ‘technique’ of packaging and the inherent technology but also about design. So, design is playing an increasingly important role in the packaging industry.

Dane Whitehurst, creative director at Burgopak, has shown the complexity of the packaging-design process: furthermore, he explained that the “purpose is to translate and distill brand values into product experiences through packaging. We basically make really nice boxes that make people go wow”.

Along with sustainability, product design is a key factor, also thanks to the huge influence of online unboxing: the packaging area is nowadays a crucial area for brands. Indeed, one could say that in some cases the packaging makes the brand, and vice versa.

“I believe we’re moving closer to a time where sustainability is inextricably linked with the notion of good design”, Whitehurst concluded.?

The Scandinavian point of view

Last but not least, it's interesting to delve into the hints provided by Scandinavian packaging trends.

Elin Furelid, director of future packaging of the Absolut Company, highlighted how, while the glass has a potentially infinite lifetime if recycled properly, paper is a viable alternative because it offers a lower carbon footprint, a higher recycling rate, and is lighter.

Paper packaging is important even for ‘giant brands’ that could not do their business without packaging.

This is the case, for example, with Ikea. Maja Kjellberg, Ikea’s packaging development leader, said that the furniture and furnishing Swedish company has “gone from 70 million kilos of total plastic usage in 2020 to 40 million in 2023. But we still need to minimise our plastic use even further, and our ambition is that Ikea should be plastic-free by 2028”.

The paper-based packaging will become increasingly important from both an operation perspective and sustainability.

Source

Two Sides Packaging Webinar 2024 Summary:

https://twosides.info/UK/two-sides-packaging-webinar-2024-summary/?

Watch the full recording of the speaker presentation:

https://twosides.info/packaging-webinar-2024