Hanging on by the skin of our teeth seems to be a good characterization of 2009. A year ago, the packaging community was riding a wave of layoffs and corporate contraction. The free-floating anxiety of being in the midst of a total financial collapse has abated and replaced with a nagging uncertainty if we are going to bounce or stagger out of a global recession. Whatever the course, we seem headed to a new “normal,” as the confidence that drove exuberant, debt-funded consumption over the past 15 years is gone. Many companies recognize the importance of sustainability as a model for resiliency and adaptability in uncertain times and a critical strategy to face an increasingly challenged future. A recent survey by Packaging Digest and the SPC confirms this and indicates that rather than investing less, many companies are investing more on sustainability-related initiatives than ever before.
The focus on cost savings in 2009 drove eco-efficiency to new heights. Packaging that provided gains in lightweighting and dematerialization were the stars of the DuPont Awards for Packaging Innovation. But there are signs that eco-efficiency efforts are plateauing in some formats, which suggests innovation is needed to take packaging to the next level. Companies working on a variety of environmental issues are going to find many avenues with which to bring value to customers in 2010.
After five years of working on how to improve the environmental profile of packaging, the packaging community is positioned to respond to this development. There are a few lessons regarding packaging design, materials and innovation that can be brought to bear on products. Responding to the need to measure performance against a variety of environmental and other sustainability attributes, the Consumer Goods Forum initiated the Global Packaging Project to develop an understanding of the definitions, principles and metrics needed to evaluate the sustainability of packaging. This effort has centered on globally harmonizing indicators and metrics and how brands will request information from suppliers. Trials of these metrics will begin in the first quarter of 2010. In December, the first meeting of the International Standards Organization TC122 subcommittee on Packaging and the Environment committee was held in Stockholm. Using the European CEN standards and Asian guidelines for environmentally conscious packaging as a start, this ISO subcommittee will develop international standards for source reduction, reuse, recycling, energy recovery, chemical recovery, composting and biodegradation within the next two years.
The down economy has had profound impacts on state and local governments, with California teetering on bankruptcy. With more pressure on scarce dollars, states and local governments see cost savings in Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), and California is looking to adapt it specifically for packaging.
We have experienced a year of having to do more with less. The case for sustainability became clear in 2009, which positions us for great innovation and progress in 2010.
Teledyne DALSA is a world leader in the design, manufacture and deployment of digital imaging components for the machine vision market. Teledyne DALSA image sensors, cameras, smart cameras, frame grabbers, software, and vision solutions are used...
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Markem-Imaje is a trusted world manufacturer of product identification and traceability solutions, offering a full line of reliable and innovative inkjet, thermal transfer, laser, print and apply label systems and RFID-based systems. Markem-Imaje...
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Videojet is a world-leading manufacturer of marking systems, fluids, and accessories for the product identification industry. Videojet printers apply high-quality alphanumeric codes, logos and graphics to nearly any surface at virtually any line...
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Fogg is a world leader in the design and manufacture of rotary filling, rinsing, capping and enclosure systems for free flowing and viscous liquids. Fogg serves a growing number of dairy, spirits, water, food and beverage, pharmaceutical and...
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Microscan develops barcode and machine vision products that help manufacturers reduce costs, increase yields, improve product quality, and comply with regulations. Designed for precision applications, Microscan's line of 1D and 2D barcode readers...
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National Bulk Equipment dry material handling systems for packaging and processing operations, include: bulk bag fillers, bulk bag unloaders, bulk container dumpers, bulk container fillers, and bulk mixing, weighing, and conveyance systems. NBE...
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Plastic Ingenuity is the national leader in providing the best solutions in thermoformed packaging, tooling and extrusion services. A member of the Thermoforming Institute, and a multi-plant manufacturing operation with facilities across North...
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Thermo Scientific Product Inspection and Processing equipment protects your brands by ensuring the quality, accuracy, efficiency and safety of your products. With more than 50 years of making sure little things don't turn into big problems, we know...
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DOMINO is one of the world's largest manufacturers of digital printing solutions and is publicly traded on the London Stock Exchange. Our products are used for date coding, product marking, serialization and variable printing. Among our customers...
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Tom Marin, Brands & Branding Editor, GAM April 16, 2010 You’ll never look at dinner the same way
Most of the blogs that I write fall into two camps. They are either how to... More
Hanging on by the skin of our teeth seems to be a good characterization of 2009. A year ago, the packaging community was riding a wave of layoffs and corporate contraction. The free-floating anxiety of being in the midst of a total financial collapse has abated and replaced with a nagging uncertainty if we are going to bounce or stagger out of a global recession. Whatever the course, we seem headed to a new “normal,” as the confidence that drove exuberant, debt-funded consumption over the past 15 years is gone. Many companies recognize the importance of sustainability as a model for resiliency and adaptability in uncertain times and a critical strategy to face an increasingly challenged future. A recent survey by Packaging Digest and the SPC confirms this and indicates that rather than investing less, many companies are investing more on sustainability-related initiatives than ever before.
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