Pack Protocols recently attended Pack Expo – Las Vegas. After trekking through three large exhibition halls and talking with various individuals, a few commonalities began to take shape. For those of you who could not attend; Pack Protocols wanted to share what direction industry appears to be heading. Below are three packaging trend observations from the show not to mention vendors attempting to lure attendees to their booths with free beer, electronic giveaways, and food:
“Sustainability” and Branding of Companies “Being Green”
This year a good portion of packaging suppliers at Pack Expo were targeting “Sustainability” in full force. Certain suppliers were touting this loud and clear within the confines of their exhibits displays via large display screens or towers/pillars as well as promotional items.
Various pouch and closure firms appear to be following through with what has been asked for years by customer’s and end users demands: Making their items more recycling friendly by using one type of polymer (i.e. PE or PP). This is good and bad news. Great for consumers who value recyclable options. Bad news because these packs may not get recycled due to the increase cost of recycling in certain municipalities. Some cities cannot even recycle these items because of limited or no recycling programs available.
To be successful additional parties besides the consumer and companies providing the packaged product need to participate including governments. Until there is enough recycling infrastructure/equipment financed and supplied by government, private companies, as well as the public; the recycling rates may not meet expectations. Sustainability is greater than being recyclable!
The Robots are Coming!
Every Pack Expo has a handful of exhibits where a “robot” is picking and packing product and placing into cases. This year went beyond picking and packing robots, diving into more material handling and logistical processes including Automated Guided Vehicles (AVR’s). Numerous exhibitors had robots demonstrate the capability of palletizing loads to specific pallet patterns. Additionally, Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMR’s) demonstrated capabilities of transferring materials and packaging within in the plant.
Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV)
Autonomous Mobile Robot (AMR)
Most of the robots were either controlled by PLC’s, AI, Bluetooth, LiDar, or other electronic processes. It was quite prevalent industry was trying to address the current challenge of what to do when a company’s current logistic workforce is retiring, or being reduced, and the future and current workforce is not actively pursuing these vital jobs. Companies need to maintain supply lines to their ever-increasing channels to survive the competitive business landscape.
Cannabis Packaging Push
Pack Expo – Las Vegas had suppliers and exhibitors openly advertising for packaging processing of cannabis. This stance was opposite to the previous Pack Expo Las Vegas where most exhibitors were hesitant to reveal they were part of this emerging sector of industry. A few businesses were keeping it under lock and key due to a possible federal response. One reason for the change in cannabis packaging adoption may be due to multiple states making cannabis legal; either for medical or recreational purposes. Pack Expo even put together a seminar focusing on Cannabis and it’s by-products. As the legal cannabis industry moves forward, expect additional packaging companies to follow suit as other sectors of industry decline.
Pack Protocols LLC can provide future trends and research in the packaging industry that may be critical to your business. Contact us today at +1 657-204-6093 or info{at}packprotocols.com