Future focus at Paris Packaging Week

Having arrived back from a busy Paris Packaging Week, I can safely say it was another incredible showcase of industry creativity and expertise.

What became clear during the event was that businesses are working harder than ever on R&D and innovation, all while keeping compliant as well as ahead of upcoming regulatory changes and sustainability targets. The hot topic of the two days across the conferences was the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), which was covered in presentations I attended across the Aerosol and Dispensing Forum (ADF) from the FEA’s Alain D’Haese, Steel for Packaging Europe’s Steve Claus and PackIntelX’s Siddharth Bagri. The measures covered in the regulation will have significant impacts for producers and brands in terms of packaging design, material and coatings choice and cost structures. Fundamentally, metal should be at an advantage, but there is much preparation left to do.

Many of the speakers across the two days, as well as the panellists, generally presented a positive future outlook. Alyne Freitas from the Brazilian Aerosol Association (ABAS) always brings a fresh and uplifting presence to the stage and this year was no different. She discussed the leading aerosol products in Brazil – namely deodorants, insecticides and air fresheners – and the high recycling rates, exploring the key drivers for Latin America into 2030.

The challenge, however, continues to be communicating the advantages of aerosols and metal packaging outside of the stakeholder chain and its experts. Many brands and associations are now launching educational consumer campaigns to properly convey information about the sustainability positives, the safety of aerosols, and the recycling of them.

Alupro’s Tom Giddings discussed the encouraging initial results from the UK association’s “Spray, Squirt, Shake” campaign, which is aiming to simplify the language of aerosols and the meaning of an officially “empty” container to the public, with the goal of seeing more aerosol containers added to the aluminium recycling steam.

The HCPA’s Nicholas Georges also explained a similar initiative in the US, partnering with Portland, Oregon Metro local governments to share its “Press It, Shake It, Recycle It” message.

The conference audience was also treated to a unique and lively discussion from Professor Diana Derval at DervalResearch on how consumer perceptions of packaging design are affected by their individual biological responses. We even got given a measuring device to work out our “Hormonal Quotient” and what it says about us. Apparently mine says I am “Independent, detailed and curious” – just like “Victoria Beckham and Bette Davis,” although less of the Posh Spice comparison would be appreciated…

At the ADF awards ceremony, taking home trophies were Precision, Lindal Group, Coster, Envases and Yonwoo, with Meadow, Prescan Packaging, ArcelorMittal and Massilly securing highly commended certificates.

You’ll be able to find out more exclusives from the conference, exhibition floor and awards in our event review in the March edition of the magazine.

Alex Rivers (she/her), CanTech International editor
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