Packaging Innovation
Consumers call out for
sustainable luxury packaging Can the packaging industry address the challenges that come with producing environmentally-friendly packaging whilst also creating an effi cient, high quality end-product? Kiran Grewal reports.
A
s the packaging industry and packaging machines continue to evolve, so do customer needs when it comes to training and knowledge transfer. Advanced robot technology, multiple format changes, 3D printing in production, digital control
systems, data-driven error analysis – the demands placed on production managers, machine operators and other skilled workers have increased considerably through digitalisation and automation. Here, Kennedy’s Confection looks at what new innovations we are seeing in packaging today, and why they are pivotal to our developing demands in this sector. In acknowledgement of the need for packaging, but equally of the adverse impact of non-sustainable materials on the environment, there are many initiatives underway to come up with better, more environmentally friendly and sustainable packaging and packaging materials. Renée Visser-Vredegoor, Sales & Marketing Support at Lareka says: “As packaging experts, we are playing our part in this endeavour. We are constantly monitoring the market for new sustainable materials for the automated wrapping of artisan chocolate. We are in direct contact with packaging material suppliers the world over and test any material with potential for automated wrapping on our machines. There are three things we look out for in our hunt for the optimal packaging material sustainability, barrier properties and a match with the client’s brand identity.” Most often the packaging is the only thing from your brand that people see. “Your product could be phenomenal, but if your packaging does not stand out on the shelves, people will not be attracted to it,” Renée warns. :Some achieve this by using bright colours, others use a minimalistic design, some use thick paper, others thin with embossing. Though there is no secret formula for good packaging, we can conclude that ‘being different’ pays off.” ‘Being different’ can be associated with using alternative materials and methods. Renée says Lareka has tested many of these to traditional aluminium and aluminium paper laminate
34 Kennedy’s Confection December 2022/January 2023
which include: cellophane, glassine paper, cellophane paper laminate, PE-coated paper, water-soluble fi lm made from starch, water-soluble fi lm made from milk proteins, and most recently, paper coated with a water-soluble milk-protein fi lm. “We are particularly optimistic about the latter sustainable alternative,” Renée says. “It is a material that boasts good fat and gas barrier properties and is highly compatible with our machines. This sustainable alternative can also be composted at home and is 100% recyclable.”
Can sustainable packaging fi t into the luxury market?
The word “luxury” has historically been perceived as something that describes extravagance, and not as something sustainable. A shift has been noted in the entire luxury segment, where both customers and brands are starting to seek something with lasting quality that is also produced with the environment in mind. “One could almost say that it is a paradigm shift to sustainable luxury,” offers Ebba Ingvarsson Communication Manager at Lessebo Paper. Lessebo Paper, which began in 1658, has produced uncoated paper for more than 300 years and today the company is committed to producing high quality white and coloured paper qualities with minimal footprint. They boast a paper produced of chlorine free, sustainably sourced Swedish pulp, with minimal CO2 emissions, and are a fi rm believer that paper packaging can be both sustainable and stylish. The company recently announced its decision to become a member of Paper Profi le, a product declaration format that was developed by leading European pulp, paper and paperboard manufacturers in co-operation with distributors and industry associations. The manufacturers who participate in Paper Profi le are committed to minimise the environmental impact of their activities which reinforces Lessebo Paper’s commitment to reducing the mill’s negative environmental impact.
KennedysConfection.com
Image supplied courtesy of Lessebo
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