Packaging and Converting Intelligence

Innovation continues apace in the packaging industry, in particular in the field of eco-design. But the battle to improve sustainability is fought on many fronts and looking for suppliers who are willing to work in a collaborative way towards this long-term goal is an issue that is tackled in the current issue of Packaging & Converting Intelligence (PCI).

We speak to the big brand names including, Danone, and Johnson & Johnson to uncover the ingredients that create the potent mix that results in packaging with a punch.

Wal-Mart's packaging scorecard initiative has been in operation since February, and VP of package and product innovations, Matt Kistler, tells us he is pleased with the climate of collaboration the scorecard has already bred. But, as this sustainability edition of PCI demonstrates, Wal-Mart is not alone in pushing the green agenda.

Charles Hunt, senior buying manager of Tesco, stresses the need to involve every section of the supply chain in driving waste recycling, and the importance of incentivising the end-user. We profile Tesco's rival, Sainsbury' bioplastic packaging initiative, with recyclable / compostable packaging already being used for 80% of its organic range.

Other highlights within these pages include a case study from Boots' sustainable development manager Andrew Jenkins, a focus piece on the paper and cartonboard industry's pursuit of a sustainable future, and market analysis from Peta Conn, Euromonitor International's global packaging manager.

Packaging is an integral part of the goods supply chain. It protects goods from damage, allows efficient distribution, informs the consumer and helps to promote goods in a competitive marketplace. In contemporary society, however, the demands placed on packaging and package design are rapidly increasing. Today, packaging must meet all the necessary functional and logistical requirements while reducing its environmental impact.

In this edition of Packaging & Converting Intelligence we focus on the rise of environmentally sensitive packaging. Stavros Dimas, European Commissioner for the Environment, examines the impact of the European Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive. Kennert Johansson, project coordinator at SustainPack, looks at how nanotechnology is bringing true sustainability to packaging, and in a broader context, Patrick Cescau, group CEO at Unilever, explains how value-led brands are helping to drive business strategy for brandowners.

In this edition we focus on the growing importance of Asia and specifically China in the world packaging market. We take an in-depth look at what the improving retail environment and increasing levels of disposable income in Asia mean for brand owners. This is complimented by Euromonitor International, whose regional focus charts the dramatic rise of total packaging consumption of China since 1998.

In addition to the focus on Asia we also investigate the ever-evolving supply chain and how companies are look to take a more holistic view of the process. IGD examine the importance of developing collaborative logistics to facilitate a supply chain that demands less inventory and increased on-shelf availability.

We also chart the growing importance of bioplastics with opinion and thought leadership from Harald Kaeb, the chairman of European Bioplastics.

This edition is centred around 'Smart Packaging', we look at the technologies developing the packaging supply chain, Raghu Das, CEO of IDTechEx looks at chipless RFID and we talk to Wal-Mart Customer Packaging and Product Identification Manager, Bud Babcock, about the migration from barcode to RFID/EPC.

Elsewhere we look at the future of flexible packaging and address Marks & Spencer's increasing adoption of flexible packaging solutions. Coca-Cola President and CEO, E.Neville Isdell talks about the value of brand and how packaging will always be vital in the quest for brand awareness and expansion.

There is a heavy emphasis on the ever-increasing pharma packaging market and Balaji Capaloor from Frost & Sullivan discusses developing drug delivery solutions and we tackle counterfeiting in the pharmaceutical market.

In this edition we focus on brand security and counterfeiting. Timothy Trainer of the Global Property Strategy Center reviews the battle with counterfeit goods in the packaging market and Lukas Grunwald of DN Systems addresses RFID and the possibility that it not be the risk free answer to supply-chain optimisation.

Also, Philippe Roulet, Head of Global Packaging Material and Training at Nestle looks at the risk behind adopting new packaging innovations. We have a regional overview of the developing packaging market in Latin America courtesy of Peta Conn from Euromonitor and a forward look to the packaged consumer goods market of 2009 from Freedonia Group.

General Secretary of the World Packaging Organisation, Dr Carl Olsmats looks at how the packaging industry must adapt in the face of new technology, altering demographics and rapid international development. Euromonitor address the emergence of China as a major packaging force and analyse what the future holds.

Richard Dalgleish, Managing Director of 'ProCarton' the European Association of Carton Manufacturers and Cartonboard Mills, looks at the developing area of packaging form and shape. We are also provided an insight into what effect the European Commission's 'Packaging Directive' might have on the environmental options in packaging.

Ian Dent of the Packaging Federation looks at how to balance environmental concerns with financial implications in an eco-friendly environment and Phil Gunning of Amcor PET, reveals the reasons for the new-found popularity of PET bottles for beer.

As Packaging Technology International
Dr Carl Olsmats of the WPO talks about the progress made in the packaging sector and about the WPO's role in this endeavour. Rich Hollander, Senior Director of Packaging Services at Pfizer, explains how the inclusion of barcodes on unit-dose blister packs can reduce medication errors.

Also on a pharmaceutical packaging theme, Sebastien Fily of Laboratoires Roche Nicholas, addresses consumer friendly packaging issues. Elsewhere, Terry Robins of Sainsubury's investigates trends in retail packaging and the consequences of growing environmental concern among customers. Also Herve Bouix of Estee Lauder, highlights the ever-more significant role that innovation plays in the cosmetics field.

As Packaging Technology International