Welcome to the biggest issue of Packaging Today to be published this year!
Here at Packaging Today we are getting excited about the annual PPMA Show, to be held at the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham from 30 September-2 October. This is a valuable opportunity for the UK industry to become aware of the latest developments in pack materials, machinery and design, providing the chance to network in an unpressurised manner.
Altogether, more than 300 suppliers will exhibit, covering the full gamut of end-markets, including food and drink, household products, industrial sectors, chemicals, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. Packaging Today will naturally exhibit on Stand D60, and we look forward to meeting as many readers as possible.
Like it or not, environmental issues are the hot topic of the moment. Driven by legislation, all packaging materials manufacturers and end-users must now sit up and take note. Producers of all packaging materials are striving to maximise the efficiency of collection and reprocessing facilities, together with increasing the proportion of recycled materials used in packs. However, environmental concerns also lead into other developing areas, such as biodegradability and rationalisation of materials usage via pack and materials engineering. Across the developed world, the environment has also entered the consciousness of the wider public, and the fascinating article from Michael Sturges shows another side to the coin, where environmental attributes have a marketing edge. Furthermore, the model expounded by Maria Ana Botelho Neves and Nanako Kawauchi proposes how packaging waste could be excluded from the consumption chain.
Furthermore, the article on liquid filling outlines some new solutions for packaging in a wide range of industries, many of which have environmental characteristics. However, the piece on cartons and cartoning focuses on the aesthetic impact of that packaging format.
In Packaging Today we always try to include viewpoints from across the industry. In this issue, we have short articles about reducing downtime, the use of servo automation, prospects for the French market and a thoughtful piece about the evocation of childhood through nostalgic confectionery branding.
Finally, we are inaugurating our cartoon page this month, the content of which should ring true to many readers!
Enjoy the issue, have a good month and I look forward to meeting you at the PPMA Show.
