Editorial | Victoria Hattersley

EDITORIAL |

Building a truly circular economy can mean different things to different people and there are many routes to achieving it, but the destination, we would like to think, is the same. To help us get an idea of what a coherent circular economy would look like, for this edition we have talked to several different members of key industry organizations about the strategies that must be employed. It’s been refreshing to see that there is more agreement than friction here, despite the differing challenges that each material and element of the supply chain presents. As ever, the need for cross-industry collaboration was emphasized by all.

Next, I’d like to give a special mention to an exciting new regular column we have introduced. We are delighted to announced that Vincent Mooij, Director of SUEZ.circpack®, will be answering key questions on the subject of circular packaging. We are inviting readers to submit their own questions, so if you have any you would like him to address you can send them to vh@packagingeurope.com with the subject line ‘Circular Packaging Q&A’, or ask us a question via either LinkedIn or Twitter using the hashtag #CircularPackagingQuestions.

We also have interviews aplenty in this issue. Tim Sykes catches up with Smurfit Kappa’s Arco Berkenbosch to consider how the last year has challenged and changed the corrugated market amid an e-commerce boom and ongoing efforts to meet the demands of sustainability. Elisabeth Skoda, meanwhile, discusses recycling and recyclate goals, bioplastics, consumer behaviour and much more with Dr Isabell Schmidt, the managing director at IK, the German plastic packaging industry association. Finally Fin Slater asks John Hocevar, Oceans Campaign Director at Greenpeace USA, whether the risks of Covid transmission via reusable packaging have been overstated.

On other subjects, Elisabeth Skoda explores innovations in pharmaceutical and food inspection technologies, boosted by developments in AI, Industry 4.0 and deep learning, while Victoria Hattersley (AKA myself) takes a look at how far we have come with digital printing and what the next phase of digital transformation might bring. In the second of his two ‘On Second Thoughts…’ columns, Dominic Hogg asks: are current European EPR guidelines enough to motivate brand owners to switch to more sustainable packaging formats?

And as is now customary, I next bring you tidings from elsewhere in the Packaging Europe-verse because, as you know, we are a manytentacled beast. Over at our sister publication, Touchpoints (packtouchpoints.com), we are excited to have launched the ‘Nest’, which gives a platform to packaging design students from across the world. Also, do remember that our Sustainable Packaging Summit is ongoing and you can always view any of the sessions that arouse your interest ondemand at packagingsummit.earth/join.

Finally (drum roll…), by the time you are reading this, we will have announced the much-anticipated shortlist for the Sustainability Awards 2021! Once again, I would like to say how impressed – and indeed reassured – we have been by the breadth of innovation in all categories. Thank you to all our judges for the hard work they have put in. We will be sharing interviews with all of the finalists over the coming months, and announcing the winners at FachPack in September. Something to carve into the calendar.

That’s all from me for now. I wish you a pleasant and healthy summer. n Victoria Hattersley

Victoria Hattersley

vh@packagingeurope.com @PackEuropeVicky