Embracing
Market Insight smart
As the packaging industry faces mounting pressures to innovate forsustainability while optimising efficiency, emerging technologies, like AI, IoT, and automation offer critical opportunities to drive long-term success.
he packaging sector is at a pivotal moment, confronted with mounting pressure to drive sustainability while simultaneously maintaining efficiency and profitability. As advancements in
already stretched and sustainability demands are rising, is delaying the adoption of these technologies a missed opportunity? Or even a potential competitive disadvantage?
technology, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and automation, present new ways to optimise operations, reduce waste, and develop more sustainable products, packaging businesses are faced with the challenge of adapting to these innovations. However, many companies struggle to balance the urgency of addressing immediate needs with their long-term strategic objectives, especially in a highly competitive environment defined by tight margins and shifting customer demands. To delve into how emerging technologies
are shaping the packaging industry, we sat down with Edward Falck, Brand Partner Specialist at IBM Consulting and speaker at Packaging Innovations & Empack 2025, to discuss the challenges and opportunities businesses face today. According to Falck, despite the growing
availability of smart technologies, many packaging companies remain cautious about embracing them, often viewing these innovations as too advanced or cost- prohibitive. But in a sector where margins are
The need for innovation in sustainability As sustainability becomes a decisive factor in securing contracts and retaining customer loyalty, Falck emphasises that investing in solutions that reduce waste, enhance recyclability, and improve overall efficiency is no longer an option for the future; it’s quickly becoming essential for long-term success. “There are two main areas I want people to think about,” Falck told Packaging Innovations & Empack. “First off, there’s technology - AI, IoT, machine learning, whatever it may be. Even though there are many use cases and applications today, it’s still considered somewhat futuristic and often viewed as out of reach. Many manufacturers might think they can’t utilise these technologies at the moment.
When you dig into the numbers,
you see the ROI is significant”
10 Kennedy’s Bakery Production December/January 2024/25
technologies T
But the truth is, there are already many areas where these technologies can be applied now.” The key to success, he suggests, is recognising that sustainability isn’t merely about cutting costs. It’s also about embracing technology that enables businesses to become more agile, reduce waste, and optimise operations. Falck continued, “The first question businesses should ask themselves is: ‘What are the small steps we can take right now to start implementing these smart technologies—whether it’s green tech, AI, or something else—to improve our business?’ The technologies are already there, and companies in various sectors—whether in food packaging or car manufacturing—are already reaping the benefits.” The second area of importance is ensuring
that AI, a commonly used buzzword, is deployed where it adds value. While it’s tempting to adopt AI simply for the sake of being ‘tech-forward’, Falck stresses that it’s crucial to understand how these tools can be integrated into existing processes in a way that directly delivers measurable improvements. “The key point is being strategic with AI,” he said. “It’s not about implementing it just because it’s popular. It’s about using it where it will truly make a difference, whether that’s improving sustainability, cutting down on waste, or enhancing operational efficiency.”
bakeryproduction.co.uk
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36
