Sustainable packaging strategies, innovating for ecommerce and improving load stability are top packaging trends facing the market over the next 12 months.
This is according to the International Safe Transit Association (ISTA), which brought together packaging leaders from across the globe at its annual TransPack Forum.
An audience of more than 350 professionals from the world of packaging and logistics heard from experts about the industry’s most pressing challenges and opportunities. This included the impact of sustainability on distribution channels and transit, packaging becoming a strategic decision for the c-suite and testing methodologies that enable operators to safeguard goods against the ever-changing shocks and shifts of the supply chain.
ISTA President, A.J. Gruber, comments: “Consumers are increasingly demanding more from companies. They want their goods quicker, at a lower cost and with minimum impact on the environment. This is why sustainability, ecommerce and load stability dominated TransPack. They’re talking points affecting businesses across Europe and will continue to become more important to their sales and bottom lines.
“Ecommerce growth is booming and the market is rapidly changing to next-day or same-day delivery. At the same time, consumers want goods perfectly packed – this means products arrive damage-free and in the most sustainable way possible. Satisfying this demand builds brand reputations, loyalty and repeat sales.”
The TransPack Forum included a mix of training sessions, networking events and keynote speeches. Delegates heard from renowned experts such as Brian Wagner, Senior Director at Ameripen, Sameer Upadhyaya, Head of Technology for Global Packaging at Genetech and Alexander Bardenstein, Product Manager at the Danish Technological Institute.
A.J. Gruber added: “The speakers are able to draw on decades of experience, working across a range of sectors. As well as sharing this knowledge, we also hosted Responsible Packaging by Design (RPbD) and Certified Packaging Laboratory Professional (CPLP) training sessions. The idea is to provide delegates with practical insight and advice that supports the development of packaging strategies that meet the economic, social and environmental demands of the modern world.”
TransPack Forum took place from 19th – 23rd March in San Diego, California and was attended by professionals from the around the globe. The 2019 event will take place from May 13th – 16th in Denver, Colorado.
A.J. Gruber concludes: “From conversations at TransPack, it’s clear that packaging decisions are moving higher up boardroom agendas. Strategic conversations are being had about ways that packaging can control costs, damage and resources.”
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