EDITORIAL |
T
he climate crisis, and the vast challenge of carbon reduction, is the headline theme of this issue as it is to a certain extent of all our lives – particularly, I should say, the emerging generations. Because young people are increasingly angry about the grave situation we find ourselves in, and rightly so. It’s all very well calling the Greta Thunbergs of the world ‘naïve’ as some have done – if only we were all so naïve – but this is both patronizing and reductive. Those young voices calling out for global, systemic change are the ones decision-makers have an obligation to listen to. On a positive note, there does seem to be an ever-increasing recognition of the need for global climate collaboration – not least from the US now the grown-ups are once again in charge. For the packaging industry, the topic of carbon is of course a highly complex one with many different – sometimes competing – metrics to bear in mind, from direct emissions to raw material extraction, processing and transport. In this issue, I put some key questions to various members of the industry to gauge how it is working to achieve this delicate balancing act. Meanwhile, one of our guest contributors, Adrian Hiel, delves a little deeper into the specific decarbonization challenges facing the European paper industry. On other subjects, Fin Slater recently spoke to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s Carsten Wachholz about their Universal Circular Economy Policy Goals, and we share the highlights of this interview. Fin has also been burying into the world of print software and emerged with some interesting insights from Kevin Goeminne of CHILI Publish, about the challenges and opportunities increasing automation presents for this sector.
Victoria Hattersley Senior Writer
Elisabeth Skoda, meanwhile, has been tracking the ongoing omnichannel trend and the role packaging can play in ensuring a smooth customer experience therein. Her second article for this issue puts the spotlight on the subject of colour: more specifically, how brand owners can achieve colours that stand out on-shelf while factoring in sustainability requirements. We also feature a wealth of expert guest comment. Paul Jenkins from ThePackHub discusses the possibilities for bio-based packaging innovation, while CEFLEX’s Dana Mosora explains why the initiative is getting behind a strategy that backs both chemical and mechanical recycling. And finally, in our regular On Second Thoughts… column, Dominic Hogg (formerly Chairman of Eunomia and now Director of Equanimator) questions whether ‘recyclable’ is really enough to tackle the global plastic pollution problem. And finally, the news from another of our Packaging Europe platforms (yes, we have several). Entries are now closed for our 2021 Sustainability Awards and we are delighted to have received a record 309 entries, once again demonstrating the breadth of serious innovation across the supply chain. Over the coming months, we’ll be sharing insights into some of these cutting-edge developments so look out for n those. But for now, let the judging commence!
Victoria Hattersley Victoria Hattersley vh@packagingeurope.com @PackEuropeVicky
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