Packaging Europe Issue 17.5

There

THERE IS ONLY A PLAN

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and

Victoria Hattersley

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Elisabeth Skoda Libby Munford

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ISSN 2516-0133 (Print)

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3 Editorial Victoria Hattersley

6

Exploring paths to sustainable e-commerce packaging Building greener supply networks

10 How can adhesives support the industry’s reduction, recycling, and reuse targets? Supporting safe and secure packaging

16 A deep dive into the OECD’s Global Plastic Outlook 2060 OECD interview

21

Renewables: The opportunities for fibre-based packaging Where can paper make the biggest impact?

25 Three steps needed to establish a closed-loop circular economy Comment from Tetra Pak

27

AIPIA stories Active and Intelligent Packaging Spotlight

Where is smart packaging at? An overview of current trends

I’dlike to start with a big thank you to everyone who took part in our Sustainable Packaging Summit in Lisbon and helped make it the suc cess it was. It was inspiring to see such a large and diverse audience, representing the whole value chain, in addition to the regulators and investors, from all over the world, coming together to engage in frank discussion of the challenges we face and the next steps we need to collectively take. We ended the event with a consensus that this is the beginning of a process, and the Packaging Europe team will be follow ing up with conclusions and proposed follow-up actions, which we will facilitate through future meetings and our wider content activities.

I must also, of course, give particular congratulations to Siegwerk, the overall winners of our Sustainability Awards, whose UniNATURE packag ing inks formulated with a high bio renewable content so impressed our judges. The other worthy winners announced during the Summit were R-Cycle, Henkel, Boston Consulting Group, Amcor Healthcare, Aptar and Tonejet. You can learn more about all of these on our website.

And don’t forget that we still have the winners of the ‘pre-commer cialized’ section of our awards to announce. This will be taking place at the AIPIA World Congress and Sustainable Packaging Summit ‘Innova tion Horizon’ event in Amsterdam. You can still register for this event here: https://packagingeurope.com/aipia-world-congress

Meanwhile, in this edition of Packaging Europe Magazine, you can read Elisabeth Skoda’s comprehensive overview of the many routes the industry is taking towards more sustainable e-commerce practices. In as separate piece, Elisabeth has been talking with Shardul Agrawala, of the OECD Environment Directorate, about the findings of the OECD’s Global

EDITORIAL

Plastic Outlook report and different possible ways to avert the predicted tripling of plastic waste by 2060.

We have also been taking a look at renewables – specifically, the opportunities for fibre-based packaging. Find out what I learned from Cepi, BBC Cellpack and Koehler Paper on this subject. Meanwhile, Hannah Cole discusses the role adhesives play in the safe and secure functioning of packaging – as well as their disruptive potential.

And finally, as ever, in collaboration with our partners AIPIA, we put the spotlight on smart packaging. This time, in addition to our usual overview of the most interesting projects from the past month or so, Fin Slater gives us a more in-depth look at some of the overarching themes from the sector ahead of the above-mentioned AIPIA World Congress and Sustainable Packaging Summit in Amsterdam.

That’s all for this issue. We look forward to seeing as many of you as we can in Amsterdam in November. In the meantime, please don’t forget the AIPIA Smart Packaging Summit taking place at Pack Expo Chicago on 25th October. It promises to be the biggest and most diverse line up of Active and Intelligent Packaging experts gathered together in North America since the onset of Covid, so it’s a must for anyone interested in learning about what intelligent packaging has to offer. n

Hattersley

Victoria Hattersley vh@packagingeurope.com | @PackEuropeVicky

Victoria

Senior Writer

EXPLORING PATHS TO SUSTAINABLE

E-COMMERCE PACKAGING

E-commerce

has seen a steep growth trajectory during the pandemic years as people were looking for alternatives to brick-and-mortar stores.

Now that the pandemic has subsided and people are returning to their pre-Covid routines, e-commerce growth has slowed down somewhat, but it’s clear that it has established itself as a major consumption channel.

This is supported by statistics – according to the ‘E-Commerce Packag ing Market – Growth, Trends and Forecast’ report, the e-commerce market is expected to reach up to $61 billion by 2026.

There has been a growing focus on how packaging can help to deliver a more sustainable e-commerce supply chain. Figures from Statista indicate that the greatest share of greenhouse gas emissions generated by the e-commerce industry comes from the packaging of goods, accounting for approximately 45% of total estimated emissions.

Tackling industry challenges

Packaging companies are working hard to address the sustainability challenges the world faces.

“Following COP26 and the recent series of extreme weather events, and with 2030 emission reduction targets fast approaching, the environmental focus

remains high on the agenda. Packaging can help brands to meet their sustain ability goals, for example by reducing the use of excess material or increasing the amount of recyclable content, and saving carbon emissions whilst doing so,” says Gavin Mounce, E-commerce Design Manager at DS Smith.

A small change can make a big difference, as he points out.

“Just removing 2mm or 3mm from the blank, or a few grams out of the liner can equate to substantial material and carbon dioxide savings each year.”

E-commerce packaging has moved on beyond just being a humble box. Product packaging for e-commerce has increasingly become a marketing tool in its own right and is used to embody brand values and increase brand awareness, as Jason Peckham, UK sales director at Smurfit Kappa, points out.

“We have seen a significant shift in focus by brands towards the devel opment and optimization of e-commerce packaging and, more recently, packaging that is suitable for both the retail and online sectors. At Smurfit Kappa, we work to help our customers stand out in a crowded market and deliver positive and memorable unboxing experiences.”

Like all sectors, the industry is affected by the challenges the world cur rently faces. Mr Mounce identifies inflation and the rising cost of living as great concerns for DS Smith’s customers right now.

Speaking to DS Smith, Smurfit Kappa and Boox, Elisabeth Skoda discovers recent developments in the e-commerce packaging space, and how packaging solutions can help to make e-commerce more sustainable and improve the consumer experience.

“We work with our customers to provide e-commerce solutions that provide high levels of optimization, without reducing performance and to help them stand out to retain their customer base, at a time when many people will be cutting back.”

Rightsizing

Consumers have been frustrated by receiving boxes half filled with air, which also costs companies resources in the shape of unnecessary pack aging and transport. Collaboration to make sure that boxes are the right shape and size is crucial.

“The cost of the extra fibre alone to businesses is £39.4 million each year, and that is without the extra shipping and filler costs,” says Mr Mounce.

“We are looking to create boxes which use significantly less fibre, whilst making them stronger so they can withstand the knocks and shocks in the supply chain. Good design ensures waste is designed out of the process and that as few raw materials are used as possible.”

DS Smith’s Circular Design Metrics are a tool that set out to give customers across a wide range of sectors a clear view of their packaging designs’ environmental performance, and how the packaging helps them achieve their sustainability goals.

“The Metrics help customers measure and compare the environmental benefits and impacts of different packaging solutions, quickly and simply.

It’s a tool that provides support for companies to design reuse and recycla bility into their packaging,” adds Mr Mounce.

Smurfit Kappa also works to address the challenge of shipping air, using soft ware to develop packaging with a reduced void that still keeps the product safe.

“For our ‘Perfect Sized Parcel’ approach, we review all the factors at play including the number of units, maximum and minimum parcel sizes, the packaging process and Amazon’s frustration-free packaging regulations. We also balance the void with the complexity of the package. We recently worked with a large sportswear producer and achieved a void reduction of 37%,” says Mr Peckham.

Hybrid packaging

Another key trend in recent years has been to create solutions that combine primary and secondary packaging. One example is Smurfit Kappa’s solution for Reckitt’s e-commerce Sustainable Packaging Solution for Amazon, a final ist in Packaging Europe’s Sustainability Awards.

Reckitt, a multinational hygiene, health and nutrition company, was looking for a sustainable packaging solution for air fresheners that would be suitable to ship through Amazon. The pack included plug-in scented oil and refills.

In developing this packaging, Smurfit Kappa created a solution that the company says complies with all the necessary requirements to satisfy Amazon’s ISTA standards, taking into consideration the full protection of

the product, logistical efficiency, and volume of packaging used in relation to the primary product. The packaging solution also had to be versatile enough to pack bundles of different configurations such as bottles and/or gadgets without needing additional fillers.

“We replaced the plastic blister packs that were previously used with a 100% paper-based solution that complies with all e-commerce requirements such as the International Safe Transit Association (ISTA)Test. The new packaging also complies with Amazon’s Climate Pledge Friendly Initiative, a commitment to pre serving the natural world by recognizing products that support social, economic and environmental sustainability,” explains Mr Peckham.

The packaging is described as 100% recyclable. By switching over to this new solution, Reckitt has reportedly replaced 130 tonnes of plastic and reduced CO2 emissions by 17.5%.

Focus on reusables

While cardboard packaging is still the go-to material of choice within the e-commerce packaging space, reusable models have been gaining traction in recent years.

San Francisco based startup Boox, which recently also launched in the UK, has developed the Boox box, which is designed to be reused over and over again.

“The idea is to create a change in how people think about products and their packaging, moving away from a model of take and make waste. In order to make this function efficient, you need to influence the network, reverse logistics and consumer behaviour,” explains Matt Semmelhack, the CEO and co-founder of Boox.

The consumer plays a big role in making a reusable solution work, as he explains.

“The manufacturer, the distributor, the retailer, the consumer and Boox are all part of a circle, and everybody plays a part. Each of our boxes has a QR code inside, which shows information about how to return the box. In the US, we have a network of partnerships with brick-and-mortar retailers where people can return the boxes, which are then consolidated regionally and shipped back to us on a quarterly basis. In the UK, we have a series of smart lockers in partnership with InPost, where consumers can return their boxes.

The challenge here is to incentivize consumers to go the extra mile and return their box.

“The QR code offers the chance to communicate with the consumer. Brands can, for example, offer a discount to consumers when they return the box, or let them redeem loyalty points.”

The boxes themselves are made from corrugated polypropylene, to make them durable, and recyclable. For garments, there are bags available from recycled polyester or nylon.

“When a shipping container travels across the world, it doesn’t get thrown away after one use, it goes backwards and forwards. We think of our boxes as small shipping containers.”

With returnable e-commerce containers, the biggest challenge is to develop a return network that is reliable.

“We don’t consider ourselves packaging manufacturers in the classic sense of the word, but we’re really focusing on the network. The network needs to be more robust and more developed and then any existing packaging manufacturer can start to adjust what they’re designing as the network to return the packaging is in place. It’s more of a design problem than a materials challenge,” says Mr Semmelhack.

The e-commerce packaging space is certainly not short of new develop ments, and it will be interesting to see what it will look like in the future, aided by innovative solutions. n

“We replaced the plastic blister packs that were previously used with a 100% paper-based solution that complies with all e-commerce requirements such as the International Safe Transit Association (ISTA) Test. The new packaging also complies with Amazon’s Climate Pledge Friendly Initiative.”

HOW CAN ADHESIVES SUPPORT THE INDUSTRY’S REDUCTION, RECYCLING, AND REUSE TARGETS?

Despite representing a small percentage of the overall packaging volume, adhesives are an essential component in the safe and secure function of packaging across applications. Adhesives also have the potential to both disrupt and support companies’ ability to deliver on sustainability targets. Hannah Cole reports.

“When it comes to sustainability, adhesives play a decisive role,” confirms Elodie Picard, Global Head of Market Strategy Pres sure Sensitive Adhesives at Henkel. “Without doubt, the issues that are defining the industry today are reducing the carbon footprint and increasing the compatibility of different materials.”

The adhesive segment’s role in sustainability trends is similar to the function of adhesives themselves: an essential supporting mechanism, following the cues of product specification, material type, and applica tion offered by brands and their packaging requirements. As Elizabeth Staab, Global Sustainability Manager for Rigid Packaging at H.B. Fuller, explains: “Adhesives provide functionality to the end product they are used in, whether this is keeping a package sealed or a label in place, laminating substrates or adding barrier functionality. Therefore, the adhesive primarily follows the sustainability trend of the substrate/pri mary packaging material.”

With more and more companies committing to targets that seek to reduce packaging footprints, enhance recyclability, and enable emerging models of consumption such as reuse, what role will adhesives play? We explore how H.B. Fuller and Henkel are following the tenets of reduce, recycle, and reuse both in their own operations and through collaborations across the packaging value chain.

Targeting reduction across the supply chain

“Many levers can be pulled to make progress on ‘reduce’ targets for packag ing,” says Staab. H.B. Fuller’s global sustainability goals include the aim to reduce waste and water withdrawal intensity by 10% between 2014 and 2025, while the company is also targeting a 20% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 green house (GHG) emissions and energy intensity across the same time period. Reporting on its sustainability performance for 2021, H.B. Fuller says it has reduced solid waste and CO2 emission by 14,500 metric tonnes and 20,475 metric tonnes respectively since 2014.

Optimising adhesive production and consumption is an important aspect of ‘reduce’ targets. “Applying as much as needed, as little as necessary, switching to low application hot melts or adhesives based on renewable raw materials” are all key approaches to reducing the carbon footprint associated with production, according to Staab. For example, the company has collabo rated with Covestro on a renewable feedstock for its adhesives, consisting of a bio-attributed raw material created via a mass balance approach.

Reduction doesn’t necessitate a trade-off in terms of performance, Staab notes. “It always hinges on selecting the appropriate adhesive grade and optimizing the application. New adhesive technology uses raw materials with enhanced performance features and is formulated for high efficiency, providing excellent performance.”

Across the supply chain, adhesives can also play a role in enhancing transport efficiency by enabling novel packaging formats. “New packaging design enabled by adhesive functionality can substantially reduce the use of plastics; many ingenious adhesive applications drive dematerialization for primary but also tertiary packaging that secure goods during transport, where savings can be substantial,” Staab says. The ripple effect of these more indirect measures is a potential reduction in Scope 3 emissions, although many companies do not yet have specific targets for these.

Henkel is similarly switching to what Jenna Könneke, Director of Market Strategy Consumer Goods Adhesives at Henkel, describes as “more environ mentally friendly raw materials”. In 2021, for example, the company unveiled the Technomelt Supra ECO range, which reportedly has the potential to exceed more than 80% bio-based raw material input. A life cycle assessment found that the range is highly efficient, in addition to offering reduced CO2 output during procurement and production, according to Henkel.

Compatibility is key when it comes to recycling

“Although they only hold account for about 5%, in some cases even less of the weight of packaging, adhesives are crucial to what can be done with other 95% of packaging when it comes to recycling. The adhesive is sig nificantly responsible for recyclability,” states Picard. “The most important key points for the adhesive industry are therefore the focus on compatibil ity with the common recycling processes and the separation or avoidance of materials that are incompatible with recycling.”

An example of this approach from Henkel includes its Loctite Liofol RE range of solvent-free laminating adhesives, which have been granted Recy Class compatibility with existing recycling processes for polyethylene (PE).

Picard believes “the whole value chain is necessary” in “finding the appro priate materials and solutions for each application, further developing them, and effectively utilizing them. To drive future innovation swiftly and efficiently, all partners must collaborate on the further development of packaging solu tions and be included from the very beginning of the design process.”

For H.B. Fuller, compatibility with recycling processes must account for the range and requirements of different materials used by packaging com panies. However, designing for recyclability is not without its challenges.

“When designing a new package, the entire life cycle needs to be taken into consideration: performance requirements should not be contradictory to the recycling process,” Staab acknowledges. With adhesives playing such an important role in the function of packaging, application require ments and end use must always be taken into account when considering solutions that support recycling.

For example, in the case of a label on a shampoo bottle, a wash-off option – which can help to reduce contamination and improve yields during the recycling of the container – would need to remain on the bottle during exposure to humidity, detergents, and water at a range of temperatures. It also needs to be able to break down under similar conditions during the recycling process, potentially creating a contradiction between function and end-of-life outcome. “Hence, it’s important to have adhesive specialists at the table when designing new packaging and thinking through the entire life cycle of the product,” Staab highlights.

Refining the potential of reuse

More novel models of consumption, such as refill and reuse, can also be sup ported by adhesives. Staab says that “one of the main adhesive applications for reuse of primary packaging is labelling, [and] washing off the label when the container is returned to be refilled”, identifying this as a sustainability trend that the adhesives segment is following closely.

H.B. Fuller, for example, has collaborated with European beverage compa nies on a water-based labelling technology that facilitates reduction targets by allowing a smaller amount of adhesive to be used on bottles, while the water temperature and detergent consumption required during the washing process

after use is reportedly also lower. Meanwhile, the ease with which the label can be washed off means that glass or PET bottles can be more efficiently reprocessed for refill and reuse.

The consensus is that the key to exploring new solutions, like many challenges and opportunities in the packaging industry, is collaboration.

“By means of collaboration with industry partners, we are able to find solu tions to enhance recycling, reuse and the circularity of packaging materi als. What makes the crucial difference to success is working together with numerous parties along the supply chain,” Staab tells us.

Picard and Könneke concur: “It is vital to collaborate without hesitation on new solutions that can result in genuine change rather than putting too much emphasis on our own already-existing solutions.” n

Jenna Könneke

Elodie Picard

A DEEP DIVE INTO THE OECD’S GLOBAL PLASTIC OUTLOOK 2060

Shardul Agrawala, Head of the Environment and Economic Integration Division of the OECD Environment Directorate, discusses the findings of the OECD’s Global Plastic Outlook report and different possible ways to avert the predicted tripling of plastic waste by 2060 with Elisabeth Skoda.

High-profile

efforts have been made to reduce plastic waste. Despite that, the Global Plastics Outlook finds that, in the absence of new policies, by 2060 the world will be producing and consuming almost three times as much plastics as it is today. This is projected to result in the near-tripling of waste plastic generation, a doubling in plastic leakage to the environment – from 22 million tonnes (Mt) in 2019 to 44 Mt in 2060 and a tripling in the build-up of plastics accumulating in rivers and the ocean (from 140 Mt in 2019 to 493 Mt in 2060). Beyond leakage, the management of end-of-life plastics also contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and bears implications for human health due to the persistence of harmful practices such as open pit burning. The outlook here is equally grim: GHG emissions from plastics production and end of life are projected to double to 4.3 giga tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents of GHG emissions in 2060.

“In our review of policies around the world, we find that a relatively large number of countries have enacted legislation to ban or tax single-use plastics, aiming to reduce their consumption and consequently their leakage to the envi ronment. However, existing bans and taxes tend to focus on a few single-use applications such as shopping bags, straws and polystyrene food packaging. While these interventions may effectively reduce littering, their narrow focus on small product streams means that they have a limited impact on overall plastics consumption and waste generation,” explains Mr Agrawala.

“In this context, our Global Plastics Outlook calls for greater use of innovative economic instruments and binding targets to foster the design of more circular products, restrain the use of plastics, ensure a business case for recycling, and replace the use of virgin plastics with recycled materials.”

He explains that as a leading institution in environmental policy analysis and advice, the OECD provides a unique forum for policymakers to discuss policy options, strategies and challenges, share best practices in environmental policy and compare progress, including in the area of plastic pollution.

“More specifically, the economic and policy analysis contained in the Global Plastics Outlook publications can serve as a point of reference to

Shardul Agrawala

support decision-makers in understanding the scale of the challenges posed by plastics, assessing which policies can support a more sustainable and circular management of plastic materials, and ultimately scaling up domestic as well as international action to reduce plastic pollution.”

Focus on packaging

While the report covers all plastics, not just those used in packaging, nearly two-thirds of plastic waste comes from plastics with lifetimes of under five years: packaging, low-cost consumer goods, clothing and textiles.

“The report states that packaging currently constitutes 40% of annual waste generation. Waste from packaging is on track to continue to increase, reaching 380 Mt per year in 2060 (from 142 Mt in 2019), although its share in overall waste is projected to slightly decrease to 37% as waste generation increases at a faster rate for other applica tions,” says Mr Agrawala.

While poorly managed plastic waste generates serious environmental impacts, it is also clear that plastics deliver significant benefits to society. The challenge is to retain those benefits without incurring the environmen tal costs, or at least minimizing them. The Global Plastic Outlook charts a way how this can be achieved.

“Eliminating unnecessary plastics, promoting longer lifespans and switching to reuse systems could drastically reduce consumption, waste generation and the related environmental impacts. For packaging that does become waste, it is crucial to ensure that it is recycled and used to replace virgin materials in new production processes. The eco-design of

packaging and products plays a crucial role to ensure that plastics put into the economy, are sustainable, safe and contribute to the circular economy. Eco-design should generally aim to avoid hazardous materials, facilitate reusability/recyclability and prefer recycled content.”

Evidence from selected OECD countries shows that instruments such as recycled content targets, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes for both packaging and durables (including with advanced fee modulation), landfill and incineration taxes, deposit-refund schemes and Pay-as-You-Throw sys tems can be effective levers to mandate eco-design criteria such as minimum recycled content requirements, enhance waste sorting done by households and discourage landfilling in favour of recycling. To deliver impact, they need to be implemented more systematically and across a much larger number of countries than is currently the case.

“In less advanced countries, efforts also need to focus on improving basic waste management services to reduce the prevalence of harmful end-of-life treatment options and close leakage pathways,” Mr Agrawala adds.

A joined-up approach

A whole life-cycle approach is required to effectively reduce the negative exter nalities generated by plastics and plastic waste, combining policy interventions downstream of the value chain, such as improved waste management in nonOECD countries and enhanced recycling globally, as well as upstream, including through product design.

To achieve drastic reductions in plastics use, waste generation and the related environmental impacts, urgent and coordinated action across coun

tries is essential, alongside international support to accelerate improvements in waste management systems and practices in least developed countries.

“Our modelling projections find that the global implementation of ambitious circular policies to curb plastic leakage to the environment can reduce plastics use and waste by a third below business-as-usual projections and reduce mis managed plastic waste to almost zero by 2060, at an annual cost of less than 1% of global GDP. However, the bulk of the costs will be borne by non-OECD countries, as substantial investments must be made to ensure that everyone has access to adequate waste collection and disposal services. This highlights the need for supportive policies and international financial support to bridge the financing gap and to ensure the situation for vulnerable households is not exacerbated,” Mr Agrawala says.

Considering the alternatives

There is no silver bullet to solve the current plastic crisis and solutions will need to be deployed all along the plastics lifecycle to effectively reduce the environmental impacts generated by plastics and plastic waste.

“As previously discussed, abandoning unnecessary single-use applications in favour of reuse of longer lifespans is one of the priorities for action upstream in the value chain to drastically reduce waste generation from short-lived applica tions. Furthermore, switching to alternative materials in production can minimize lifecycle impacts in some cases as long as their environmental footprint is not larger than plastics, and most importantly, the switch to alternative materials per se does not necessarily change the way the product or packaging is used nor extend its lifespan. Hence, while material choice considerations at the design

“Existing plastic bans and taxes tend to focus on a few single-use applications such as shopping bags, straws and polystyrene food packaging. While these interventions may effectively reduce littering, their narrow focus on small product streams means that they have a limited impact on overall plastics consumption and waste generation.”

stage are important, they should also be informed by waste prevention objec tives such as the elimination of unnecessary plastics and the achievement of higher reuse rates.”

Plastic recycling also has an important role to play in lowering plastics’ environmental footprint, as it diverts material from more harmful waste man agement practices, and the availability of recycled plastics can help lower the demand for virgin plastics.

“Stronger policy intervention is required to boost markets for recycled plastics, which still only account for 6% of total feedstock. Policies to ‘push’ supply, for example through Extended Producer Responsibility schemes or taxes on nonrecycled plastic waste, ‘pull’ demand for recycled plastic (e.g. recycled content targets) and enhance waste sorting at source are key to improve the quantity and quality of recycled plastics going into new production processes, and to strengthen the business case for plastic recycling,” Mr Agrawala explains.

“We need a three-pronged approach to curb plastic demand, increase product lifespans, and improve waste management and recycling.”

Focus on innovation

What all solutions have in common is the important role played by innova tion. Along the entire plastics value chain, innovation can help to reduce the environmental impacts of plastics in many ways.

“At the level of product design and manufacturing processes, innovation can reduce the amount of feedstock required, as well as facilitate reuse and

recycling. Innovation in recycling technologies can enhance the overall circu larity of the economy. For instance, plastic-to-plastic chemical recycling offers the potential to recycle waste that cannot be processed with mechanical recy cling, although it remains an emerging technology that still faces significant challenges. The deployment of new business models can also substantially contribute to waste prevention, for instance through new delivery models that employ reusable rather than single-use packaging.”

In conclusion, Mr Agrawala highlights the fact that in recent years, a confluence of seminal research and high-profile media focus on plastics in the environment has put plastics at the centre of public preoccupation with the environment.

“This surge in public attention has also coincided with a proliferation of local, national and international policy responses in this policy area, including the historic Resolution 5/14 ‘End plastic pollution: Towards an international legally binding instrument’ adopted by the United Nations Environmental Assembly in February 2022 to convene an intergovernmental negotiation committee, with the ambition of completing its work by the end of 2024, to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution. This is clearly a seminal develop ment and I hope will provide the global impetus we need. At the same time, we also need to scale up innovation – both technological and process innovation –to reduce the environmental impacts of plastics throughout the plastics life cycle. And last but not least, to better influence consumer and household behaviour which is critical to turning around this spiralling of plastic waste.” n

“Our modelling projections find that the global implementation of ambitious circular policies to curb plastic leakage to the environment can reduce plastics use and waste by a third below business-as-usual projections and reduce mismanaged plastic waste to almost zero by 2060, at an annual cost of less than 1% of global GDP.”

We know that renewables are going to play a key role in helping to build a more sustainable packaging industry, and thus a more sustainable world. But how will they do this, and what are the particular challenges and opportunities for fibre-based alternatives to plastics? Victoria Hattersley reports.

RENEWABLES: THE OPPORTUNITIES

FOR FIBRE-BASED PACKAGING

While

the plastics industry is finding its own ways to build circularity and deal with the huge problem of plastic waste, paper produc ers are working to develop their own, renewable alternatives to replace – at least in part – some of the petrochemical-based materials that currently dominate the packaging sector.

According to Cepi, the Confederation of European Paper Industries, the current value of new bio-based products represents almost 3% of the total industry value already – and that this percentage is growing rapidly to become a major contributor to the sector’s 2050 target of 50% more added value.

‘Growing opportunities’

In which sectors or applications are we seeing the biggest opportunities for renewables – specifically fibre-based alternatives – to replace plastics? The most obvious is food, where there have already been some notable shifts towards paper. We have, for example, heard much about Paboco’s groundbreaking Paper Bottle, featuring a paper outer shell with a thin plastic barrier inside, which has been trialled by companies including Carlsberg, Coca-Cola, and Absolut.

“Innovations in barrier papers started with fibre-based packaging with a plastic lining but also food service items such as plates and cutlery,” says Anna Papagrigoraki, Sustainability Director at Cepi. “But now further innova tions will be replacing the plastic linings and coatings with natural polymers such as micro-fibrillated cellulose or moulded packaging.”

But while food may still be the biggest market for paper-based packag ing, there are growing opportunities in other sectors in the years to come, such as industrial goods, pet food or personal care – including paperboard tubes for the primary packaging of cosmetics.

“While the food industry is important for paper, we are increasingly moving from plastics to fibre-based here,” says Aude Paustian, Head of Product Develop ment BBC Cellpack Packaging, “For several months we have been also looking at the opportunities in the cosmetics market. In the past, cosmetics packaging was focused on a ‘premium’ look for example with glossy or metallic effects, but with increasing consumer interest in sustainability there has been a shift. In France, for instance, there is a trend towards solid cosmetics which the consumer can purchase in a solid form and then add water to make the cosmetic themselves. In this kind of cosmetic, paper can have a very important place.”

Opportunities and advances

And if we look at things from a non-sector-specific angle, the advances in renewable packaging technologies are coming fast and thick from many areas. We’ve already mentioned paper bottles, but we can also add to this paper-compatible renewable inks – such as Siegwerk’s UniNATURE pack aging inks formulated with a high bio renewable content, the very worthy Overall Winner of our 2022 Sustainability Awards.

“For flexible packaging there are certainly papers offering high barriers against water vapour under advanced conditions and oxygen barriers, without

using a coating with PVDC or other undesirable substances,” says Alexander Rauer, Head of Business Development FlexTech and Product Manager Flexible Packaging Paper, Koehler Paper. “There is also a trend to reduce the weight of the base paper without compromising the performance on packaging lines. There are meanwhile a lot of companies offering heat-sealable paper but most of them only with grammages above 80 g/m². On the rigid side there are fibre moulded products for blisters or boxes with child safety functions, and many more.”

“Perhaps I could add a few more to the growing list,” says Anna Papa grigoraki: “A compostable oil-based plastic free teabag, coffee pods, paper and boxes for fish but also dry moulded fibre technology.

‘Limits to fibre-based packaging’

We should remember, however, that renewable does not always equal the most sustainable or practical solution. There are certainly still many limits to fibre-based packaging. Most notably, as food packaging needs to protect the packaged goods for as long as necessary in order to ensure resource efficiency, barrier properties need to be added to paper and so far these have mainly been polymer-based, which compromises recyclability. How is the industry addressing this?

“Innovation is gradually replacing this plastic layer so that paper can have its barrier properties from a natural non-chemical modified polymer while also remaining biodegradable and recyclable,” says Anna Papagrigo raki. “Another property that requires ‘help’ is transparency and flexibility.

However research and innovation has some examples such as Cristal™ for food packaging, so the consumer can quickly identify the product(s) they are purchasing. The uses include food packaging, non-food packaging and graphics applications such as envelope windows.”

Any liquid products or wetter foods also remain challenging to package using renewable fibre-based packaging. As Alexander Rauer says, “Liquid products or products with very high barrier requirements in packaging formats which need to resist extreme loads or severe climate conditions will be a big issue in the future of paper-based packaging.”

Another big challenge with paper packaging comes down to sealing – something which BBC Cellpack Packaging, among other companies, has been putting extensive efforts into addressing. Aude Paustian explains: “Some papers can have interesting barrier properties but are not sealable, or other way around. So what is required to address this is a close collabora tion between the paper producer and the converter to achieve both of these things. We are currently involved in projects to this end.”

‘A choice between renewable or recyclable?’

So yes, there are limitations to paper that must still be overcome in order for them to gain a stronger position in the packaging sectors traditionally dominated by plastics. But another question is: does it really have to come down to a choice between renewable or recyclable; plastics or paper?

“We need both,” Aude Paustian tells us succinctly. “The advantage with paper-based packaging as opposed to plastics it that we really can have both

renewable and recyclable at the same time. That’s why for us the barrier seal ing papers are crucial, but the recyclability of paper can also come down to varying country-specific legislations. In France we need to have 50% content to be recyclable and in other places it’s more like 85%.”

Efforts are being made to this end as we write. 4evergreen, a cross-industry alliance aiming at optimizing fibre-based packaging circularity, is accelerating the development and uptake of novel technologies to address targeted sorting or recycling challenges, specifically for barrier paper and board, with the aim of reaching an overall 90% recycling rate of fibre-based packaging by 2030.

And what about ‘recyclable renewables’, such as renewable plastics made from cellulosic materials instead of petrochemicals? In general, it can be said that we are seeing a steadily increasing interest in the area of bioplastics where, according to Anna Papagrigoraki, much of the emphasis is on replicat ing the effectiveness of conventional polymers but using a natural feedstock. But it’s by no means a simple substitution, which may be why bioplastics still make up a very small percentage of the overall packaging market.

“When one material replaces the other in a product, it has to be recycla ble, biodegradable, fulfil its functions and also comply with the EU legislation including the Single Use Plastics Directive,” says Anna. “At the same time the information on its sourcing, production and environmental performance has to be communicated across the value chain including the consumer in a clear manner and avoiding greenwashing. This is a high order but some thing to keep our eyes open for future innovations. However, bioplastics will still need to be recycled in practice and if not possible anymore, composted with the appropriate infrastructure.”

Building future resilience through renewables

Fibre-based packaging is inherently sustainable in principle, but in practice there is still much more potential to unlock and, as we have seen, the indus try is working to do just this. The future is renewable.

“Everything made from fossil can be made from wood,” says Anna Papagrigo raki. “We can see emerging biobased products going much further than pulp and paper that are classified as materials, chemicals, fuels, food/feed, pharmaceuti cals and cosmetics and can be used either as intermediates or as final products in sectors such as automotive, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and medicals (tissue growth anyone?) but packaging will always remain a key sector.

“Perhaps in 2030 we could be looking at completely plastic-free packag ing. So many technologies are being researched and modelled that surely one or two will actually make the market and reach the consumer.” n

THREE STEPS NEEDED TO ESTABLISH A CLOSED-LOOP CIRCULAR ECONOMY

Alex Henriksen, MD Tetra Pak North Europe, talks us through the ways in which the packaging industry can help to establish a closed-loop economy.

INJuly

2022, the UK and northern mainland Europe were struck by an unprecedented heatwave, with the hottest temperature in the UK recorded at 40°C. For many, this has been a wake-up call to take urgent action in mitigating climate change, with the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit finding that 70% of people in the UK agreed that climate change was a driver behind these temperatures.

We are clearly not on track to limit global warming by 1.5°C, which can primarily be achieved through decarbonizing our energy systems and the materials we use. The only way to preserve our planet is to urgently limit the permanent drainage of our planet’s fossil-based resources and put in place the steps to establish a circular economy. The packaging industry must play a leading role in this, with plastic packaging accounting for nearly 70% of plastic waste in the UK.

In tandem, with the global population expected to grow by more than 25% between 2020 and 20501 and 821 million globally currently under nourished2, access to safe, nourishing food has never been more pertinent.

Businesses can be a force for good when it comes to addressing this delicate balance between sustainability and food security. We need highperformance packaging that can deliver safe and nutritious food that does not impact the world’s limited resources. To do this, we need to consider the entire lifecycle of packages.

1. Making the most of materials

A package starts with the raw materials that make up its different components. How these materials are sourced and the impact this has on the environment is a critical part that needs to be considered when building a circular economy.

This means reviewing the efficiency of the materials we use to make food packaging. The industry must find alternatives to fossil fuel-based materials, and instead look to increase the use of renewable materials, such as paperboard and plant-based plastic, that come from sources which can be replenished over time.

Responsible sourcing should be a strategic objective for businesses where not only are ethics around material sourcing considered, but also the social and environmental impact it has. Having a positive contribution on the environment and communities across the supply chain must be taken into consideration. With renewable materials, products can have more of a posi tive environmental, economic and social impact and promote sustainable land use and biodiversity.

Using paperboard that comes from wood from responsibly-managed forests, for example, ensures circularity in the packaging supply chain. Tetra Pak is pioneering the use of plant-based, fully renewable materials in its cartons. Its Tetra Rex® Plant-based carton is the world’s first fully renewable beverage carton. It is Forest Stewardship Council™ (FSC)-certified3 and made entirely of paperboard, from responsibly managed forests and other controlled sources. The plastic is also plant-based, made from Bonsucrocertified sugarcane.

With the UK producing around 9.5 million tonnes of waste in 2018, the role packaging plays to keep food safe, secure and edible cannot be under estimated. Food security cannot be compromised, therefore, the plant-based materials used in packaging need to be capable of providing this, increasing the importance of innovative design. Addressing the need for less carbon intensive options, this year Tetra Pak is testing a fibre-based barrier to replace

the aluminium layer in its aseptic packages. This marks another breakthrough in Tetra Pak’s long-term roadmap towards developing an aseptic package that is fully renewable, fully recyclable and carbon neutral.

2. Earning consumers’ trust and engagement

The Tetra Pak Index 2021 found that consumers are showing increasing environmental concern. UK respondents are in fact more worried about the environment now than they are about COVID-19 (63% versus 58%) – the only country where this is the case.

Consumer engagement is integral if we are to establish a fully closedloop circular economy. They must be brought into it, informed during their purchasing decision and made aware of the recycling process. After all, a strong recycling culture amongst consumers helps to minimize waste and litter. However, it is when recycling is part of a holistic approach, factoring in renewable plant-based materials, teamed with effective infrastructure that it makes its biggest impact.

Consumers therefore need to trust and feel confident in using recyclable packaging, made from renewable materials. This requires transparency and means the industry must work with cross-sector stakeholders and third party organizations – like FSC™, Bonsucro Chain of Custody and other external certification programmes – to effectively show this across the supply chain. This is also the case with providing more information to consumers on recycling. Progress will also be limited on this front unless consumers can be persuaded to actively engage with recycling processes. For example, our research last year found 58% of UK consumers don’t understand what the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) entails and 59% say they would be con fused by it unless it was consistent with household recycling collections.

Packaging companies therefore have a responsibility to invest in consumer education, to encourage them to engage with recycling culture, refute common misconceptions and empower them to feel part of a positive change. Engaging with consumers on both the type of package they are buying, as well as how it can be recycled, are vital in delivering a circular economy. However, the best possible results can only be achieved with fully supportive recycling infrastructure.

3. Collaborating for an all-in recycling system

Recycling is often viewed as a cure-all for packaging waste management. But it can only boost recycling rates and support a circular economy if the corresponding infrastructure is consistent across areas and has the ability to sort carton packages more effectively for recycling.

When it comes to recycling infrastructure, packaging companies also have a part to play. In 2013, Tetra Pak supported the opening of a carton packaging recycling plant near Halifax, capable of recycling up to 40% of the cartons manufactured each year for the UK food and drink market.

However, with the EU committed to 65% of all packaging waste recycled by 31st December 2025, there needs to be a more consistent infrastructure – and cannot just rely on industry investment. This goes beyond what indi vidual companies can do and requires cross-industry and cross-sector con versations and partnerships. Tetra Pak was recently involved in the signing of a letter to Environment Secretary George Eustice MP, from 20 cross-party MPs, appealing to the Government to widen the scope of materials included its proposals for a DRS. Policy therefore should be ambitious, creating an ‘all-in’ DRS that includes as wide a range of materials as possible, including cartons, to help improve consumer awareness and education.

A big challenge requires a big response

Tetra Pak is calling for a refocus on how the packaging industry addresses its role in delivering a circular economy – by not just focusing on waste management via an efficient and comprehensive DRS, but also through investing in research and development of plant-based, renewable materials in packaging design.

A big challenge such as this requires a big response. No business works in silo, and therefore when it comes to addressing climate change, this remains the case. This demands cross-industry and cross-sector collabo ration in order to actually achieve a circular economy – and fast. n

1. https://sdg.iisd.org/news/world-population-to-reach-9-9-billion-by-2050/

2. World Health Organisation (WHO)

3. The FSC™ licence code for Tetra Pak is FSC™ C014047

ACTIVE AND INTELLIGENT PACKAGING SPOTLIGHT

AUTOMATED REUSE SYSTEM FOR CATERING PACKAGING AIMS TO CLOSE WASTE LOOP

Berlin-based

start-up 1Less has created an innovative reuse system that uses RFID-tagged dishware and a smart waste bin, linked to a digital IoT platform, to create a new way to deal with single-use plastic cups, lids, containers and cutlery.

Every item of dishware, a handy name for food-service packaging and utensils, contains a robust and long-lasting RFID tag. This transforms every item into a data carrier and transmitter, able to communicate valuable envi ronmental, social, and governance (ESG) data to stakeholders.

Each unit of dishware has its own unique ID, so it can be tracked through the entire collection, cleaning and re-use process. Every item can be used 800-1000 times and then fully recycled at the end of its life, with the tag removed and re-used again, says the company.

The smart bins can be located around any venue and the consumer simply puts the container or cutlery, or indeed any waste item, into it. There are no special sorting decisions required as the bin’s brain and sensor identifies the 1Less dishware, while a sorting mechanism separates it from other waste items. It also interacts with the 1Less cleaning-staff service app to inform them when to empty or maintain the bins.

The whole process is enabled by a digital IoT platform and the service app. The IoT platform collects all the data and controls the individual bin brains. It keeps track of each used 1Less dishware item and checks that only these are recognized to go to the cleaning and re-use process. The bin also logs each item and sends the information to a databank, which generates reports on key infor mation for 1Less customers. All the information collected is GPDR compliant.

PLANT-BASED SACHET CAN CONTROL RIPENING AND MICROBIAL GROWTH OF DIFFERENT PRODUCE

GreenPod

Labs, a new biotech company based in Chennai, India, has developed a product that, it says, can help to extend the shelf life of fruit and vegetables while being safe and cost-effective, thus more appealing to Indian food producers. The solution comes in a small sachet that contains some powerful plant-based ingredi ents which also prevent microbial growth on food items, it claims.

GreenPod’s product is a small packet, similar to the silica sachets found inside many products.

These sachets contain proprietary formulations that contain plant extracts and edible ingredients. When dropped near the fruit and vegetables they release compounds that slow down the ripening rate and inhibit microbial growth.

In total, about 10-15 ingredients are used for each product. The formulations differ from product to product, as each crop has its own unique features, like water content or rate of ripening. So, based upon the specific analysis of each crop, a specific compound is created.

Fruit like a banana spoils because of over-ripen ing while fruit like a strawberry or fig spoils because of microbial growth, says Rajmohan. The sachet controls both. When fruit and vegetables are stored in a crate after harvesting, the packet is dropped in to retain quality throughout the supply chain and increase its shelf life. If it is introduced at a later stage, then it controls the ripening rate.

The amount of crop which can be preserved by one sachet differs for different crops – for tomatoes it is 5-7 kgs, while for figs it is 3-4 kgs.

UV BLACKLIGHT LABEL ON NEW CRAFT BEER CAN REVEALS HIDDEN IMAGES

TurnerLabels, a US label converter based in Kentucky, recently announced an innovative label collaboration with Mirror Twin Brewing (MTB). With the help of an HP Indigo 6900 digital press, the companies have developed a craft beer can label utilizing blacklight UV ink.

“Experiencing an ordinary product in a new way enriches the senses and memory,” explains Turner Labels art director, Paige Tiller. He worked in collaboration with the brewery’s artist to design a blacklight label that not only revealed hidden images, but an added benefit of humorous secret

messages to create action for customer entertain ment. A small blacklight was included with every brewery pack purchase for the consumer to explore the label and share.

The converter first received samples of the HP Indigo UV Inks in Q2 of 2022. The art team quickly went into action to promote to upcoming product release partners. After testing, the exclusive UV ink was confirmed in the label design of a new craft beer named Turnin’ Heads for MTB to elevate the user experience during Lexington Craft Brew Week for their business.

“The goal reached the hands of the community to experience a unique collaboration crafted for a one-of-a-kind label for a one-of-a-kind brewery,” says Tiller.

Mirror Twin Brewery was founded in 2016 and serves customers from both sides of life, it says: the tried-and-true beer purists but also the anythinggoes experimental adventure seekers. This variety allowed MTB to take an innovative approach to both the brewing, through utilizing various hop agents and variants, as well as the packaging, resulting in a product ‘unlike any other in the Lexington area’.

In collaboration with our partners AIPIA, we bring you the latest from the world of intelligent packaging.

NEW ANTI-COUNTERFEITING AUTHENTICATION SOLUTION LAUNCHED BY GIESECKE + DEVRIENT

Giesecke

+ Devrient (G+D) has developed a new authentication solu tion, SIGN, to tackle counterfeiting and product and brand piracy.

Using modern micro-optics technology, SIGN aims for simple and rapid product authentication. It claims to be a ‘secure, sustainable and cost-optimized alternative’ to labels with integrated security features. Applied directly to packaging using high-precision embossing tools, this solution is intended to replace specially printed labels and conserve resources. It is said to emboss three-dimensional elements onto a product’s packaging, from height and depth effects to information that changes based on the angle the product is viewed from. These allow for anti-counterfeiting technology to be implemented into the packaging itself and customized to fit a range of products without compromising the packaging’s attractiveness.

Products should then be verifiable with the naked eye, G+D claims, as SIGN does not require an additional device for confirmation. Other perks are said to include easy integration with other security printing technolo gies and easy implementation into standard packaging printing processes.

Oliver Paul of Security Features Sales at G+D says that SIGN “offer[s] an effective solution that can be fully integrated into production processes and protects products against counterfeiting. And it does so with a high level of security, a wide range of design options and optimized costs at the same time.

“With our SIGN offering, we are pursuing the clear goal of combating brand and product piracy, which is becoming a worsening problem globally.”

It comes after Caps & Closures launched their ID-Shield holographic labelling and decoration system ear lier this year. Meanwhile, a team of biomedical engineers from Purdue University in Indiana, USA has devel oped anti-counterfeiting technology in the medical field by watermarking individual pills and scanning them with a smartphone.

ALL4LABELS EXPANDS INTELLIGENT LABEL SOLUTIONS WITH NEW QR BRAND

All4Labels

Global Packaging Group has founded QR Marketing GmbH with the aim of enhancing brand protection and customer engagement with intelligent QR solutions for labelling and packaging applications.

All4Labels says that QR Marketing, which was officially founded at the end of 2021, will allow it to offer a comprehensive range of secure and intelligent solutions for labels, packaging, and other applications. The company adds that QR Marketing aims to ensure stronger brand protection and greater customer engagement through the latest technologies, apparently addressing fast-chang ing consumer demands.

According to All4Labels, QR Marketing will build on its investments in digitali zation and technology to support customers in mitigating their risk exposure to counterfeiting and to increase both sales and consumer loyalty.

QR Marketing will reportedly combine modern IT software skills with All4Labels’ existing experience in digital printing to generate, manage, and

analyse unique ID Tags, which can be integrated into the label or packaging design through variable data printing. According to the company, this will enable applications such as brand protection, user verification of integrity, grey market monitoring, track and trace solutions, 24/7 retail, and personalized marketing measures to increase consumer engagement.

The company adds that it will use a secure cloud platform and utilize net working technologies including QR, NFC, RFID, and eRFID.

Adrian Tippenhauer, CEO at All4Labels, comments: “All4Labels acts as a pioneer in sustainable and digital packaging solutions. QR Marketing combines these two pillars by offering comprehensive solutions to connect physical products with digital content to our clients and beyond.

“Intelligent packaging solutions enabling brand protection and cus tomer engagement, will be key for brands to stay ahead of grey markets and their competitors.”

NEW VERIFICATION PLATFORM MAKES SUPPLY CHAIN INTEGRITY ACCESSIBLE TO ALL

True

Pedigree, a technology company helping brands protect them selves from losing revenue due to counterfeit and grey market products, has launched GenuScan, which it claims is a ‘powerful’ new platform that lets users determine the provenance, destination, and legitimacy of products by scanning them via a smartphone.

A secure, cloud-powered platform enables the platform to analyze the product – be it through its label, RFID, or NFC tag – and determine if it is genuine or not.

The company has developed expertise in the challenges of supply chain integrity, with deep knowledge in the high-tech, automotive, consumer electronics, lifestyle accessories and pharma sectors, it says.

Its new platform will empower brand owners, retailers, auditors, con sumers, and law enforcement personnel to identify counterfeit and grey market products.

The value of counterfeit and grey-market products is expected to reach close to $3 trillion during 2022. Products sold through the grey market can dilute brand integrity, slow distribution pipelines, and upset pricing models across entire industries, on top of their considerable fiscal impact.

GenuScan solves the mystery of product authenticity in the marketplace with a simple smartphone scan, according to its creators.

“Protecting IP is a cat-and-mouse game because counterfeiters and greymarket operators move quickly and are good at covering their tracks,” says Shelley Raina, CEO of True Pedigree.

“Every product out there features multiple data points including serial number, SKU, date or place of origin, and every step along a delivery pipeline provides specific information about a product. Most of this data goes untapped, but GenuScan uses this information to instantly verify any product’s legitimacy while providing invaluable analytics and KPIs through a customizable dashboard.” n

WHERE IS SMART PACKAGING AT?

From product protection and sustainability to consumer experience and food safety – smart packaging is at the forefront of many of today’s biggest packaging-related issues. Ahead of Packaging Europe and AIPIA’s Smart Packaging World Congress, which will be taking place in Amsterdam from the 14th to the 15th of November 2022, we’re taking a look at some of the overarching themes and biggest stories from the sector that we’ve been covering in the past few months.

Product authentication

When it comes to the role of packaging in product protection and authen tication the stakes are high, as scams in this area often involve high-level organized crime groups.

In 2021, a major plastic container theft sting was executed in Cook County, Illinois in the USA. It resulted in the discovery of an illegal plastic regrind operation which was grinding reusable containers (RPCs) and trays

stolen by a network of more than 30 vehicles and dozens of individuals. The regrind and intact containers discovered at the operation are valued in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

The successful sting operation was an integrated effort driven by IFCO SYSTEMS, a global supplier of reusable packaging containers (RPCs), and involved two national retailers, a private detective agency, and the Cook County Sherriff’s office.

Advanced tracking devices covertly affixed to IFCO containers enabled the group to pinpoint the time and place of thefts and ultimately, the illegal regrind location, leading to arrests.

It is in this context that organizations across the packaging value chain are fighting back.

Digimarc Corporation recently announced the launch of a Brand Integrity digital solution, which gives brands and their customers more sophisticated and flexible ways to verify the authenticity of products.

Digimarc’s data-driven approach involves assigning each product unit a serialized digital identity that can be tracked in the cloud and accessed through a variety of on-package digital triggers, including the Digimarc digital watermark.

Meanwhile, in a bid to combat the rapidly growing counterfeit pharma sector, Professor William Grover from the University of California’s Riverside bioengineering facility has developed a simple addition to the existing drug manufacturing process that renders an edible, universally unique physical identifier to each pill, tablet or capsule.

CandyCode uses sprinkles, more commonly known as ‘hundreds and thousands’ - tiny inexpensive multicolor candy spheres, normally added to desserts or sweets as decorations.

If applied at random to a pill immediately after manufacture, the specific pattern they form is unlikely to ever be repeated by random chance. So, the ‘code’ can be used to uniquely identify the pill and distinguish it from all other pills, he shows.

Consumer experience

Times are changing for food packaging, as consumers begin to adopt new methods for learning more about the food they are purchasing.

According to a recent study from Cornell University, the ‘use-by’ and ‘bestby’ dates printed on milk containers may soon become a thing of the past, giving way to more accurate and informative QR codes.

The study finds that consumers are more willing to use QR codes to discover how long the milk is drinkable and so create substantially less agricultural and food waste.

During the study, the participants had a choice: purchasing milk with printed best-by dates or buying containers with QR codes, which, when scanned by a smartphone, would display the best-before date. Over 60% chose the QR code option.

In a recent comment piece on this subject, AIPIA’s communications director, Andrew Manly, told us: “These rather arbitrary date marks, which have by any admission served us well, are now part of the problem and actually increase food waste, rather than reducing it.

“This brings us to the question of why the food producers and retailers (and even logistics companies for that matter) are not making more use of existing, tried and tested Smart Packaging solutions such as condition monitoring and freshness indicators, which can be used both along the supply chain and on-pack/in-store?”

He concludes: “Not only does it make environmental sense to reduce the food waste pile – producing the food generally has far more environmental impact than the packaging – but it also makes economic sense too, particularly at this moment in time, when food shortages abound, and food inflation is rife.”

In addition to these trends, smart packaging is also helping disabled consumers to be more confident in their shopping interactions.

Zappar, an AIPIA member which specializes in Augmented Reality (AR) creation, recently launched Zapvision technology, which aims to provide access to relevant product information to everyone as a basic right, regard less of their visual ability.

Zapvision is a brand-new scanning technology and type of QR code that can be scanned at distance and adapts to smartphone accessibility settings for native apps. These ‘D3 QR codes’ (named after its distinctive ‘dot-dot-dash’ pattern) using the Zapvision SDK, can be scanned at over 5x the distance (115cm) of a normal QR code scanned through the camera on a smartphone, the company says.

category of the product and its physical distance from the user through text-to-speech. It can detect multiple codes simultaneously in the camera view, allowing easy product selection.

As the user moves closer Zapvision can read out whatever relevant informa tion the brand has chosen to provide. This single code scheme can service both the partially sighted and sighted audiences.

Food protection

From a film made of bamboo, to coatings that double the shelf-life of cheese products – smart packaging has also been making an impact in the field of food protection over the past few months.

South China University of Technology has developed antibacterial paper using chitosan, nanocellulose sheets. The paper has ‘excellent’ mechanical strength, no cell cytotoxicity, and can be recycled five times while maintain ing 99.9% bacteria inhibition, according to the researcher. More details on the project can be found in the Journal of Hazardous Materials.

Scientists from Nanjing and Jiansu Universities in China have developed electrospun nanofibres for food packaging that improve the postharvest quality of blackberries. The fibres were incorporated with oregano essential oil and beta-cyclodextrin and showed good biocompatibility, antibacterial, and antifungal qualities.

Researchers from universities in Chongqing together with the Interna tional Center for Bamboo and Rattan in Beijing have developed nanocel lulose fibril-based composite film from a bamboo parenchyma cell that has potential for antimicrobial, biodegradable food packaging. The silver nanoparticles in the film could also slightly improve tensile properties, among other benefits, they say. Meanwhile, over in Iran, Urmia University scientists claim to have doubled the shelf life of high-moisture mozzarella

groups, while the addition of natamycin reduced the count of mould and yeast. The cheeses were immersed in the coating solutions and then kept at 7 °C for eight days while microbial specifications pH, weight loss, and sensory properties were examined.

Harnessing innovation

We asked leading expert Andrew Manly, AIPIA’s communications director, to give us his thoughts on the progress of smart packaging. He told us: “The digi tization of packaging is one of the most profound developments the sector has undergone for decades. New digital printing and ink technologies are enabling packs to be connected all along the value chain, particularly to consumers, and to give products their own individual identities.”

“The humble QR code now can become a deep well of encrypted infor mation and security features. RFID/NFC tags and inlays can be produced at a fraction of the costs of even 5 years ago as printed electronics technolo gies have advanced.”

“New inks, such as graphene conductive inks, mean quite complex com ponents and codes can be printed at scale, some are even invisible so as not to interfere with existing artwork, or can be produced on inkjet machines. As an enabler of smart packaging, AIPIA believes digital printing is as important as the smart phones which read and interpret all these codes and signals.”

The AIPIA World Congress returns to its iconic home, Beurs van Berlage, in the heart of Amsterdam for its ‘live ONLY’ event on 14/15th November 2022. Here, once again, the world of Active & Intelligent Packaging will gather to discuss and demonstrate the latest Smart Packaging developments to a host of Brand Owners and industry stakeholders and practitioners. To learn more and register to attend, visit the event website: https://packagingeurope.com/ aipia-world-congress or google ‘AIPIA World Congress’.

SMART PACKAGING

WORLD CONGRESS

2022

The AIPIA World Congress defines the way forward for the active and intelligent packaging sector and confronts, head on, the opportunities to address demands such as brand protection, supply chain transparency, sustainability and consumer engagement through cutting edge smart packaging technologies. With over 50 speakers and 500+ attendees expected, as well as 30+ booths showcasing innovation, the World Congress is a place of creative chaos, where innovators, visionaries and early adopters connect the dots.

We’re excited to reunite the smart packaging community back in Amsterdam after Covid. Join the AIPIA World Congress and be part of the growing momentum behind active and intelligent packaging.

Scan the QR code to join us

For more information, visit: packagingeurope.com/aipia-world-congress

INNOVATION HORIZON

Illuminating the cutting edge of technology

Innovation Horizon has a mission to bring together the people at the cutting edge of packaging innovation with those who can speed up positive impacts on sustainability so that they can explore the demands, challenges and changes that will drive sustainable innovation in the coming years.

If you’re an investor, start-up, brand owner, materials scientist or converter who shares the mission to accelerate implementation of low-carbon, circular packaging materials and formats, you shouldn’t miss this event.

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For more information, visit: packagingeurope.com/innovation-horizon