All Comment articles – Page 7
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ArticleA conversation with Unesda’s new President
Peter Harding, CEO of Suntory Beverage & Food Europe, was recently elected as the new President of Unesda – the association representing the soft drinks industry in Europe. What are Harding’s thoughts on the most important issues currently facing the packaging industry? We recently had a conversation with him to find out.
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ArticleSustainability Awards 2023 Finalist Interview: PAPACKS Tablet Blister
Next in our Finalist Interview series for the Sustainability Awards is PAPACKS with its tablet blister made from ‘renewable raw materials with organic coating’. We spoke to PAPACKS about this entry, which has been nominated in the pre-commercialized renewables category.
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ArticleSustainability Awards 2023 Finalist Interview: USDA-ARS’ clamshell with modified humidity
First in our Finalist Interview series for the Sustainability Awards is USDA-ARS (the U.S Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service) with its clamshell with modified humidity. We spoke to research chemist Jinhe Bai PhD about this entry, which has been nominated in the pre-commercialized Active and Intelligent category.
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ArticleDecarbonising the global food system
What role can packaging and processing innovation play in helping to decarbonise global food systems? And how can our industry empower consumers with knowledge as it works towards this goal? Alex Henriksen, Managing Director for Tetra Pak North Europe and UK, tells us more.
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ArticlePolyAl: a new kid on the block
This technical article by EXTR:ACT e.V in partnership with ACE explores new opportunities in material recycling made possible by the increase in collection of laminated paper packaging.
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ArticleThe Lidl approach to packaging sustainability
How does Lidl, one of the world’s largest food retailers, approach packaging sustainability? We had a conversation with the company to discuss its views on the role that retailers play in this context, the EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive revisions, biodegradables, reuse, and much more.
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ArticleFood waste vs packaging waste: Striking a balance
How should the industry balance the critical – and occasionally competing – aims of reducing food waste and minimising packaging waste? AIPIA’s communications director, Andrew Manly, gives his thoughts in our latest opinion piece.
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ArticleHow can brands harness packaging format for better standout and performance?
While a number of factors contribute to the success of a packaging design, the format itself plays a critical role in achieving strategic goals for brands. Howard Wright, Executive Creative & Strategy Director, UK, IE & Australia at Equator Design, tells us more about how brands can use this to their advantage.
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ArticleRecycling markets risk consolidation in 2023 amid weak demand - but pendulum will swing back
Demand for European mechanically recycled polymers is the lowest it’s been for several years. Costs through the chain remain high and producer margins for many grades narrow. In this insight, Mark Victory, Senior Editor, Recycling at ICIS, discusses the current underlying structural shortages – particularly of packaging suitable material – and sustainability pressure from regulators and consumers shows little sign of abating.
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ArticleMetsä Group: ‘Proposed PPWR revisions lack clarity and will inhibit innovation’
The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation proposed by the European Commission, which aims to tackle packaging waste and promote circularity, has frequently been the target of criticism for its perceived complexity and ambiguity. In this article, Maija Pohjakallio, Metsä Group’s VP of Climate and Circular Economy, and Jarkko Tuominen, VP of Projects at Metsä Spring, give their views on these potential shortcomings – and offer some solutions.
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ArticleGartner on understanding the circular economy growth opportunity
In this article, Anne Michelle Avolio, Senior Director Analyst with the Gartner Supply Chain Practice, discusses common circular economy misconceptions and why now is the time for supply chain leaders to embrace this disruptive market force.
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ArticleWhy has demand for corrugated and folding cartons fallen?
After a relatively buoyant few years, demand for corrugated and folding cartons has fallen off a cliff. So far this year, UK demand for corrugated is down by 10% and folding cartons by 3%; Europe isn’t far behind. Neil Osment, Managing Director of paper packaging industry analysts NOA, takes a look at why.
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ArticleHow did Brazil achieve its 100% aluminium can recycling rate – and can it be replicated in the EU?
Brazil recently became the first country in the world to achieve a 100% recycling rate for aluminum cans, according to reports. How was this landmark achieved, and how can this success be replicated in Europe? Cátilo Cândido, executive president of Abralatas (the Brazilian Association of Aluminum Can ...
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ArticleWhere are we at with accessibility in packaging?
How far has accessible and inclusive packaging design come in recent times, what are some examples of effective accessible packaging design projects, and what more can the industry do to centre the experiences and opinions of disabled people throughout the design process? To get some answers to these questions we spoke with a 40-year veteran of the industry – Nick Dormon, managing director and founder at Echo.
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ArticleFive misconceptions about sustainable packaging and machinery (debunked)
It’s no secret that there is an abundance of misconceptions around sustainable packaging. These are used frequently outside the industry, but also often within it. So, what are the most damaging misconceptions, and how can the packaging value chain overcome them? Michelle Bryson, Global Sustainable Packaging Leader for BW Packaging, tells us more.
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ArticleA critical view on the UN’s roadmap towards cutting plastic pollution
Last week, the United Nations released a roadmap that outlines the changes it believes are required to end plastic pollution and create a circular economy. The document preceded discussions that are taking place in Paris this week on the subject of creating a legally binding ‘global plastics treaty’. Robert Lilienfeld, founder and executive director of sustainable packaging think tank SPRING, gives his views on the report.
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ArticleEU Packaging and Packaging Waste draft regulations accused of falling short on e-commerce
With the EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive revisions being debated in the European Parliament this week, Elena Rotzokou (Global EPR Researcher at Ecoveritas) asks an important question: should the proposals focus more on e-commerce?
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ArticleThe interpack 2023 review
What were the key moments from interpack 2023, what is the inside story on the COVID-affected 2020 edition, and how do physical events like interpack fit into the digital age? We put these questions – and more – to Thomas Dohse, director at interpack, in a recent conversation.
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ArticleRethinking packaging strategies for circularity
Businesses face a multitude of challenges as they search for sustainable packaging solutions. Apurva Munjal, a consultant at Ecoveritas, takes a deep dive into these challenges and explains how to make a success out of infrastructure, supply chains, data-driven decision making, and innovation in this context.
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ArticleFortune favours the brave in the alc-bev sector
Renan Joel, Managing Director of Packaging at Easyfairs, argues that a drink’s taste will linger much more pleasurably on the palate when its packaging hits the spot, and how premium offers an aspirational and attainable outlet, in our latest comment article.