The myriad shades of packaging!

Packaging is growing and machinery manufactures, suppliers and printers are coming up with innovative and sustainable solutions for packaging. According to Mordor Intelligence, 2022, the ecommerce packaging market across the globe was valued at 27.04 billion USD in 2020 and is expected to reach 61.55 billion USD by 2026. The report also states that companies are more willing to offer packaging that is 100% biodegradable and recyclable.

As per 8th drupa Global Trends Report 2022, Packaging printers show increasing confidence, Publishing printers show a recovery from a poor result in 2019 while Commercial printers reported a small decline in confidence this year but have expectations of recovery in 2023. The report also says that “Suppliers were more confident, a global net positive of +34% for 2022 and notably more positive for Europe for 2023. Whilst they were a little more cautious for the Commercial and Publishing markets for 2022 – down 4 or 5% on 2019, they have strong positive forecasts for all market sectors for 2023 (net positive balances for Publishing +36%, Commercial +38%,Packaging +48%, Functional +51%).”

In this backdrop, the focus at print expos is, of course, packaging. New updated machines, eco-friendly substrates, food grade inks, integration of printing processes, sustainability – the list is endless in the packaging segment.

More recently, PACK EXPO International was held in McCormick Place, Chicago. Life sciences was an important focus for PACK EXPO International, with Healthcare Packaging Pavilion. In addition to the prestigious Future Innovators Robotics Showcase, educational Amazing Packaging Race and Students PACK the Expo programs, this year six teams had a face off in a brand-new machine building PACK Challenge, sponsored by PepsiCo. Besides, the PACK EXPO Green Program was to create a more sustainable world.

The Labelexpo India 2022 is just round the corner. This year’s event is packed with more unseen technology than ever before and is an opportunity to experience the latest launches from leading industry names including Avery Dennison, Bobst and Monotech Systems, to name a few.

Another event to look forward to is PAMEX 2023, which will be held in Mumbai from March 27-30, 2023. The highlight of 2023 edition is the theme of the Show, which is Convergence in Print! At one end, it is driven by the printers and converters who are looking to diversify into an industry segment beyond their primary focus. On the other,the emerging technologies make it possible for printers and converters to offer newer applications, enhancements and embellishments from their equipment.

Happy printing!

Sonal Khurana
sonal@smediagroup.in