The Future of Packaging A Micro Perspective

“Predicting the future is a fool’s game” "The telephone has too many shortcomings to be seriously considered as a means of communication.” Western Union internal memo, 1876 "The Americans have need of the telephone, but we do not. We have plenty of messenger boys.” Sir William Preece, chief engineer of the British Post Office, 1876

Packaging impacts the whole of society … with many elements

Multi-national global business strategies Shifting societal norms and customs Sustainability Technology New materials Energy conservation/efficiency Retail branding

Geopolitics Regional regulations Shifting market channels Food and pharmaceutical safety Theft prevention Product protection throughout the supply chain Shifting global economic strengths

A Material-Related Design Trend

Flexible Packaging

“The tonnage for the global consumer flexible packaging market is projected at 18.1 million tons in 2011 and is forecast to reach 22.5 million tons by 2016.” Pira Study 24% increase in 5 years!

Flexible packaging is maturing in North America and Western Europe… but not elsewhere. Asia is the fastest-growing market with a forecast compound annual growth rate for 2011-2016 of 7.9%. The region is forecast to represent 55.0% of total world flexible consumption growth during the period 2011-16.

India and China are the fastest-growing national markets for consumer flexible packaging according to Pira, together accounting for 44.0% of world flexible packaging consumption growth during the forecast period.”

Energy conservation/efficiency and Sustainability EcoCradle™

Product protection throughout the supply chain

Product Design + Package Design + Pre-Shipment Testing = SUCCESS

More bad predictions… "Airplanes are interesting toys but of no military value." Marshal Ferdinand Foch (supreme allied commander in World War I), 1911   "It must be accepted as a principle that the rifle, effective as it is, cannot replace the effect produced by the speed of the horse, the magnetism of the charge and the terror of cold steel." British Cavalry Training Manual, 1907

Vision Systems at the grocery store = no more barcodes? Technology RFID – What is its place? Vision Systems at the grocery store = no more barcodes? What about 2-D codes? DotCode Dot Code A USS Code One Maxi Code Data Matrix Aztec Code QR Code Datastrip 2D Grid Matrix

Track & Trace Tools are The future of safe food and pharmaceuticals Technology Track & Trace Tools are The future of safe food and pharmaceuticals Nanomaterials have a great future too, but are they safe?

I’m glad I didn’t say this… “Computers in the future may weigh no more than 1.5 tons.” Popular Mechanics Magazine, 1949 “Who the heck wants to hear actors talk?” Harry Warner, Warner Brothers Studios, 1927

Sustainability and the Business of Packaging “No such thing as inherently ‘sustainable’ packaging… There can only be a more sustainable way of manufacturing a certain product.” Is the driver social commitment or just cost reduction?

Proctor and Gamble example: By 2020: Replacing 25% of petroleum-based materials with sustainably sourced renewable materials in products Reducing consumer use packaging by 20% Providing 30% of the power to plants from renewable energy Reducing manufacturing waste to less than .5% of total waste to landfill

Packaging has become a strategic tool!

Just two more… "We don't like their sound and guitar music is on the way out." Decca Records rejects the Beatles, 1962   "Everything that can be invented has been invented.” Charles H. Duell, Commissioner, U.S. Office of Patents, 1899

Where does the Packaging Professional Fit in the Future? Better Packaging means packaging development that accomplishes: well-preserved and more nutritious food clean drinking water secure pharmaceuticals and over the counter medications undamaged products that arrive in the consumers’ hands

Education Is the Key to “Better Quality of Life Through Better Packaging For More People”!!

In my opinion, revenue could easily top $1 trillion by 2022 The Future Is Bright!!! According to Pira: the packaging sector will likely be more than $800 billion USD in revenue by 2017. In my opinion, revenue could easily top $1 trillion by 2022

Discover the unexpected Apply the new idea Find uncommon success Educate yourself Discover the unexpected Apply the new idea Find uncommon success “The best way to predict the future is to invent it” Alan Kay