Up until 16 December, we are running the virtual version of the FuturePrint & Pack Summit. It is free to all! This event features some of the talks from the in-person event which took place in Cambridge, UK, on 11 November. I know we are biased, but the content is awesome! We had a full house of delegates at the in-person event and already over 500 delegates from 55 countries have registered for the virtual version!

So if you missed the in-person event or just could not attend, register now for the virtual FuturePrint & Pack Summit as you already have access to loads of inspiring content! The next instalment is December 2!

So what were the themes that really came through? And what content can you see now?

Packaging is Strong

Whatever COVID may have thrown at the industry, it remains a strong and growth-focused market. Its strength, of course, is the importance it holds for brands and retailers. People buy stuff, products need packaging, and brands need to sell their products. So while there is change, the energy behind the industry, the consumer push and pull, it is still a lucrative and huge market that is growing dynamically.

Digitalization is Paramount

The packaging sector has, however, had its challenges over the past 2 years due to COVID. Many presenters talked of supply chain issues, production bottlenecks and difficulty in getting raw materials etc. This remains a challenge, but digitalization is seen as a key strategy to empowering production, reducing supply lines and taking back more control to ensure fulfilment whatever the prevailing conditions. Responsiveness, efficiency and agility in production are now seen as pivotal in order to avoid future disruption whether through crises such as COVID or other unforeseen events.

Sustainability is Defining the Agenda

Digitalization will help make packaging more sustainable, but clearly, listening to James Bull who is Head of Packaging at Tesco, along with Fred Lill of Lil Packaging and Paul Jenkins of ThePackHub - sustainability is defining the agenda. There is no doubt that when the UK’s leading food retailer lays out its strategy for reducing carbon emissions to reach net-zero, and the level of commitment then there is no hiding for any business operating in the packaging sector. This trend is now an accepted norm. We expect to see more and more innovations of materials and processes along with adapted retail formats that will reduce carbon output.

Innovation is Accelerating

Pre-pandemic, packaging was at the forefront of innovation strategy among print technology innovators. It is a fast-moving, dynamic and growing sector and while it too is experiencing change due to online retail, packaging is still required, and hugely important. The commitment from print technology businesses has accelerated throughout the pandemic and now it is even higher on the agenda given the challenges packaging faces, the continued and growing demand for goods whether online or in-store. We expect this to continue to develop quickly, not least to help the packaging sector adapt.

Collaboration Gets Things Done

Problem-solving in isolation is not effective. Collaboration has always been a more effective way of mitigating risk, increasing success and achieving results quickly. It is a key reason why humans have thrived and developed. A strategic team, committed to working with specialists in their respective fields will tap into a vast array of experience necessary to avoid making expensive mistakes. While the potential of inkjet is huge, each production line is different, each product unique and therefore the technology solution has to be designed to suit. This often requires a team of specialists with products that work to their optimum together.

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