Having attracted over 76,000 visitors from more than 170 countries, drinktec 2017 was the biggest edition in its 66-year history. With the benefit of a couple of months' hindsight, Packaging Europe picks out the key beverage trends and innovations that brought the crowds flocking to Europe’s essential fair for drink packaging technology.
Beverages 4.0
This year’s event underscored the degree to which Industry 4.0 solutions have become embedded in the design of new beverage production lines. How services help to build, maintain and improve beverage producers’ line performance throughout their asset lifecycle was a key highlight for Sidel and Gebo Cermex.
The centrepiece of the exhibit was the new Super Combi from Sidel, designed and engineered as a single smart solution for producers of water and CSD beverages. It does so via integrated data-driven intelligence, making optimum performance easily and continuously achievable across the entire production process.
Sidel Super Combi is the next generation solution integrating five process steps: preform feeder, blower, labeller, filler/capper and cap feeder into an all-in-one smart system. To deliver this self-optimising performance and increased long-term value, it combines intelligent automation with innovative technologies of connected machines and data-analytics management, leading to optimised production and maintenance services. Consumer preferences are broadening and overall demand is increasing due to unprecedented population growth, increased consumer spending power and growing demand for personalisation of products in terms of design and taste.
Meanwhile, the KHS Group exhibited the future of filling and packaging systems under the motto ‘Technology 4.0’, presenting new systems for all container segments and all branches of industry, from small craft brewers to large water bottlers. "Technology 4.0 means that innovative strength and future viability continue to characterise our systems and services. The focus of attention here is on the innovative use of digitisation as well as new concepts throughout the entire production process," explained Matthias Niemeyer, chairman of the Executive Management Board. This enables KHS to optimise the total cost of ownership (TCO) of its customers and ensure greater sustainability in all processes. The exhibits to be presented in Munich include absolute world innovations in virtually all areas of application.
Futurism
Another striking theme of drinktec was the extent to which the market is embracing smart technologies as a means to connect with the beverage consumer. Crown looked to embrace the internet of things with its Connect™ technology and leverage augmented reality to allow consumers to view the contents inside a tin or recording and sharing unique videos, along with offering increased logistical efficiency through improved unique packaging tracking, in cooperation with augmented reality specialist Zappar.
Facilitating unique codes on beverage packaging also embeds digital intelligence into each individual unit, making it trackable and interactive simultaneously. This enables traceability and authenticity activities to be carried out with ease. One useful application includes telling the consumer where the nearest recycle bin is. Shelf appeal was also a big topic, with unique decorative and printing techniques such as thermochromic, photochromic and tactile finishes on show.
Retail performance and consumer appeal through a range of decorative possibilities were also a big topic at Ball’s stand. The company pushes boundaries of traditional can sizes with the launch of a new 90-centilitre King can, 25-centilitre Sleek can and the 45-centilitre Super Sleek can, and the launch of a 15-centilitre can in the pipeline, with a focus on beverages that aren’t yet typically filled into cans.
Meanwhile, Cambridge Consultants, the global technology fixers, demonstrated their prototype smart recycling point which visually inspects packaging before showing the consumer the correct recycling stream by illuminating the correct receptacle. It's an ingenious idea for possible point-of-sale or high street applications, with the potential to educate the public on recycling behaviour, as well as feeding back data to prompt a natural engagement with the consumer.
Later the same day Scott White of PragmatIC talked through the looming revolution in flexible electronics. Some brands have successfully experimented with near field communications in premium and promotional contexts but the emergence of flexible electronics is set to make it feasible to scale up to mass market volumes. A key point in understanding the return on investment is that NFC can accumulate value across the supply chain by performing more than one function: first by providing trackability down to individual SKUs and later creating opportunities to engage consumers. Expect to see more and more of this in CPG - and thereafter further extensions, with added sensor functionality and increasing processing power.
Ten other things that impressed us at drinktec
1. Ardagh imported chocolate industry technology to create differentiation through high definition glass embossing, adding textures and feature enhancement to a standard never seen before in glass packaging. Unlike regular, two-dimensional embossing, the new process known as Sculptured Embossing allows glass sculpting to be achieved on multiple levels, creating intricate, lifelike detail, depth and dimension, enabling the premiumisation of glass bottles and jars. This technology has recently been used to replicate different texture effects including wooden planking and citrus peel, as well as to enhance the definition of scripted text and other branding icons.
Ardagh also demonstrated a memorable array of glass and aluminium can coatings, including the ‘Reveal Impact’ two-stage thermochromic solution that reveals hidden messages or promotional slogans to consumers. The ‘Matte & Mirror Impact’ innovation, available from 2018, allows matte and shiny contrasts on aluminium cans commercially for the first time, while there were also customer-interactive powder finishes never seen before in the glass industry.
2. Xolution underlined the benefits of resealable cans. Their latest Relock closure not only keeps carbonation in the can longer, but also seals the drink itself – ideal for anyone on the go. Packaging Europe can confirm that the seal works – there was no spillage after a day of carrying the opened can around drinktec in a bag.
3. Husky showcased its HyPET® HPP5 Multi-Layer system at drinktec, producing a 17 gram carbonated soft drink application using a 72-cavity mould and running at an 8.7 second cycle time. The system is running a revolutionary new barrier material, Verian™ High Barrier Polyester (HBP), which was developed in partnership with Solvay Specialty Polymers. Verian™ HBP is a recyclable material that will enable a new generation of sustainable packaging solutions for PET bottles and films.
4. Versatility was key at Graphic Packaging International’s stand, where the company launched its ReShape™ system, a revolutionary technology capable of creating virtually any pack configuration seamlessly with one piece of packaging equipment. With ReShape, beverage manufacturers can reinvent, reimagine, and ReShape their cartons to produce the shapes and configurations they need today, along with unique structures for the future, opening up many possibilities in beverage packaging. The system can both internally and externally nest primary containers to create a variety of shapes and sizes with the potential to use less fiber. Unique handle designs deliver added comfort and strength.
5. Ecolab is on a mission to meet the challenge of the world's water deficit, which is growing alarmingly fast. Dr Geoff Townsend outlined a holistic approach, starting with rigorous economic assessment of the cost and value of water in the given region, an IIOT approach to collecting and crunching data, and managing what they have measured with a host of innovative filtration and recycling technologies.
6. Aptar are moving the beverage closures market forward with a new generation of non-detachable tamper-evident closures; and with the beautifully rugged and tactile squeezy Hydrant closure, which makes for easy dispensing from a cumbersome 5-litre bottle. Campers will be eternally grateful.
7. What's the next big trend in the packaged beverage market? We think it might be cold brew coffee. Refreshing, subtle notes - and attracting attention of the big brand owners. It's also going to feature increasingly on draught in the hospitality sector.
8. ...and a reminder that sophisticated innovation and engineering effort often boils down to the evocation of simplicity. An example of CCL's 'enlabeling' solutions:
