Strong response to the FFI/Pro Carton expert Talk session at PackBox 2021

In addition to a keynote speech by Pro Carton President Horst Bittermann, an expert panel moderated by FFI Managing Director Christian Schiffers generated great interest among visitors to the packed PackBox Arena in Hall 7.

As part of the PackBox theme "Sustainability and Innovation" on 29.09.2021 Pro Carton President Horst Bittermann presented in his key note entitled "What the consumer really wants", he began by presenting the results of the "European Consumer Packaging Perceptions Study 2021".

According to the study, across Europe, an average of 61 % of the consumers surveyed confirm that their purchasing decisions are influenced by the environmental impact of packaging, with 79 % of the respondents classify cartonboard and folding cartons as environmentally friendly. In addition, three quarters of respondents would be more willing to pay a higher price for an environmentally friendly packaged product.

According to the study, the majority of younger customers have already switched to other products and brands when the alternative was packaged in a more environmentally friendly way.

Younger consumers are also the ones who place a high planting trees is of great importance when it comes to counteracting climate change.

In the expert panel discussion that followed, Susanne Lippitsch, owner of the design agency SL Design, Andreas Helbig, FFI Board Spokesman and Managing Director of SEDA Germany GmbH, and Horst Bittermann discussed the current and future challenges for the cartonboard and folding carton industry.

The top topic among the trade show visitors, the tight supply situation for for a wide variety of sectors in the packaging industry, was immediately pushed to the top of the agenda at the expert talk.

Accordingly, the cartonboard and folding carton market is currently also characterized by a very tense situation. The delivery times for cartonboard and folding cartons have recently been extended to an unprecedented extent.

Similarly, the price structure has moved markedly upwards. A forward-looking planning of future requirements and sufficient lead time for new projects by customers of the cartonboard and folding carton industry are therefore even more than usual the order of the day, as the talk participants summed up.

On the supply side, shortages of raw materials and logistical problems lead to increased demand. On the customer side, increased demand and a recovery of the economy in segments that were previously affected by Covid, lead to a strong utilization of the cartonboard and folding carton industry.

This is also reflected in an increase in new packaging developments and promotions.

Sustainability is at the top of the list of requirements for brand manufacturers and retailers. As the talk participants agreed, the sustainability trend itself is sustainable and not just temporary.

The PackBox event by FFI and Pro Carton was recorded and can be accessed until the end of the year at:

https://player.gl-systemhaus.de/pave/fachpack/vod/packbox/packbox_110/index.html