Research is generating continuous innovations, but it is on paper and cardboard that investments are being made because, in reality, they are the most “natural” and healthy way to contain and present food products. The latest innovation was launched by the company SADA Imballaggi: H2OBOX, a corrugated cardboard that seems destined to revolutionize the fresh food market. Also suitable for dairy products, it has proven to be excellent for all frozen food and produce (fruit and vegetables). Waterproof and customizable It is a box that is waterproof on the outside and liquid-tight on the inside, ecological, sustainable, 100% recyclable, and customizable in both shape and graphics. It is easy to assemble and can be delivered flat on pallets, thus occupying reduced space and optimizing transport costs. Furthermore, it has low disposal costs of approximately 4 euros per ton. Research in packaging is often promoted by specialists in luxury packaging, as highlighted by the latest luxury packaging exhibition held recently in New York. Luxury, but ecological, like those made from bamboo leaf (used for centuries in Asia) and sugarcane fiber.

One of the "hottest" topics of the last period is certainly that concerning the prospects of recycling and recovery of packaging. If at first the COVID-19 pandemic had beneficial effects on the environment, over time this result could easily be compromised by the production of new non-recyclable waste: we are obviously talking about disposable masks and plastic gloves, often abandoned on the street after use. Once again, it is therefore necessary to rethink our lifestyles, in order to benefit the environment and the entire community. What is sustainable packaging? Sustainable packaging is not just a recyclable packaging, but a product conceived and designed by saving on the material used to favor its recycling and recovery fiber through specific actions, which can represent various advantages in terms of environmental protection and savings in productive processes. From the consumers' point of view, paper and glass are considered the best packaging: taking advantage of this consideration, it is necessary to encourage their recovery and recycling. In particular, paper is recognized, at the level of general perception, precisely for its sustainability, recyclability and biodegradability (Considerations from a survey by TwoSides and OnePool). Why is it important to support paper recycling? Paper, like cardboard, has an intrinsic value, being a natural product of plant origin, but it also has its own value linked to the ability to recycle. The percentage recovered, in fact, reserves most of the forest and manage the green heritage in a sustainable manner. The commitment made by companies, but also by ordinary citizens, for the recovery of paper, has been significant up to now: thanks to the actions undertaken by Conai and Comieco, it has gone from being importers of paper to be recycled to exporters. The paper recycling in Italy: where we are? Italy has reached an important milestone at European level, boasting the second place for per capita recycling rate. If only one in three packaging was recycled in the 1990s, today the percentage has risen to 71%, of which we distinguish 81% relating to cardboard packaging alone. With these so important estimates, which bring us close to the 85% threshold (goal to be achieved by 2030 according to European directives), it is clear that we must not only act in terms of sustainable recycling, but also in the design of low environmental impact packaging. The packaging design must not only be recyclable, but it must be designed to be recycled: in this way it will also be possible to promote the improvement of the quality of the recovered waste. Separate collection must be thought for all recyclable materials, for the functioning of the supply chain. In this sense, especially for polylaminate materials, which combine plastic materials with paper, it is necessary to offer the consumer clear and simple indications on how to separate and dispose of this type of packaging. More and more often we talk of "talking packaging", which can offer all the information necessary for proper recycling, even using the most modern technologies, such as the augmented reality app developed by Conai in partnership with Tecnoalimenti. But Italy is also at the forefront in terms of strategies and techniques for recovering polylaminate packaging. Another goal to be achieved is the ability to deepen and further specialize separate waste collection through the division between paper and cardboard compared to beverage containers or other similarly made containers. By acting in this way, logistic routes can be differentiated and waste sent to specialized centers for treatment and recycling. EcoDTool the new Conai project for sustainable design Conai promoted the EcoDtool project to encourage the search for a sustainable packaging design. It is a scientific instrument of simplified analysis that measures the environmental impact. The factors taken into account are energy and water consumption and production-related CO2 emissions. The second phase concerns training, which through the study of the packaging life cycle and improvement actions promotes its sustainability. Finally, two other very important factors are introduced in the end of life, which take into consideration the secondary raw material that can be generated based on the variation of a circularity indicator that refers to reused, recyclable and recycled content. In this sense, CART-ONE has adopted a supply chain that favors the production and minimization of waste through processes that minimize the environmental impact and that adopt solutions for the recycling of production waste.

The “Guidelines for facilitating the recycling of paper packaging” is a document created thanks to the collaboration between the research group of the Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering “Giulio Natta” of the Politecnico di Milano and the professionals of COMIECO. The content offers a complete overview of the specifics of paper packaging and the different types of materials that make up the packaging, and it is part of the Pensare Futuro project which includes a series of initiatives on the prevention of the environmental impact of packaging developed by CONAI. Click the link to read the entire document: Paper Packaging Recycling Guidelines Paper packaging classification and functionality Packaging has always responded to the human need to transport and preserve goods to keep them for as long as possible. If in ancient times we moved from the simple leaf to other materials such as wood, glass, fabrics, ceramics, and paper, the history of packaging as we know it today began in the second half of the 19th century with progressive industrialization, also assuming a value linked to corporate branding. Over time, this need has grown stronger. Today, the perspective of environmental protection requires us to transform packaging with a view to eco-sustainability. According to Legislative Decree 152/06, Art. 218, packaging is defined as “the product, composed of materials of any nature, used to contain specific goods, from raw materials to finished products, to protect them, to allow their handling and their delivery from the producer to the consumer or user, to ensure their presentation, as well as disposable items used for the same purpose”. Packaging must therefore perform four functions: Containment of the product to be used by the consumer; Protection of the content from external factors to keep its quality intact over space and time; Handling of goods among the various users that make up the distribution network (from manufacturer to consumer); Presentation of the good to the consumer, thus fulfilling a communicative function thanks to the transfer of information from the producer to the user. Classification of packaging While until recently packaging was mainly focused on the function of protecting contents from external contamination, currently the use of functional materials and new technologies has allowed the generation of a new category of packaging defined as smart packaging: these are packs that, thanks to the integration of digitally printed electronics, acquire functionalities that go far beyond the simple containment of a product. We distinguish and classify in detail the existing types of packaging: 1. Sales packaging or primary packaging: packaging in contact with the product that constitutes a sales unit for the user/consumer (e.g., shoe box, egg carton, bread bag, and fruit juice bricks) 2. Grouped packaging or secondary packaging: packaging designed to group a certain number of sales units (e.g., boxes used for e-commerce, supermarket displays, and shopping bags) 3. Transport packaging or tertiary packaging: packaging designed to facilitate the handling and transport of goods and aimed at minimizing transport-related damage. Depending on their composition, packaging can be: Monomaterial: consisting of a single material; Multimaterial: consisting of components made of different materials that can be separated manually; Composite (also called laminated or multi-layer): composed of two or more materials that cannot be separated manually. The Directive Directive 94/62/EC recognizes the fundamental social and economic function of packaging. Specifically, Directive 94/62/EC asserts that packaging must be designed to allow the recycling of at least a certain percentage of the materials used in compliance with the regulations in force within the European Community. The parameters tested concern all stages of the packaging's life according to logics belonging to the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). Recyclable materials in a percentage higher than 60% should be preferred, limiting lamination with other materials. The packaging must also offer the possibility of completely minimizing the risk of product residues inside the container, to prevent the residue, for example food, from contaminating the recyclable waste. It must not be forgotten, for example, that paper and cardboard, although characterized by numerous advantages such as breathability, flexibility, and lightness of the final product, are at the same time materials susceptible to humidity and water, not suitable for packaging greasy products unless laminated with barrier materials. With equal performance, it is therefore appropriate to opt for cellulose monomaterial packaging, so as to minimize components of different materials. If, however, it is impossible to avoid adopting the latter solution, it is necessary for such packaging to be easily separable by the end user. Design for recycling: how should packaging be designed? To talk about design for recycling, it is important for the designer to know and take into account the different processes that make up the end-of-life of packaging, in order to be able to design alternative solutions aimed at optimizing the recycling of paper and cardboard packaging products. The packaging must, for example, be made with inks that are easily washable during the recovery phase. For example, UV inks are not easily removable and their use can compromise the purity of a batch sent for recycling. To obtain recyclable packaging, it is also advisable to limit the use of PVC adhesive tapes or fixing staples, which are difficult for the end consumer to remove and would simultaneously create a residue within the processing of the product to be recycled. CART-ONE has always been at the forefront of implementing corrugated cardboard production strategies for the creation of sustainable packaging. Contact us for more information on our proposals for creating high-quality customized packaging.

Sustainable packaging – a major concern Research has shown retailers and consumers are now demanding more sustainable packaging solutions when they make purchase decisions. Moreover, the EU’s single-use plastic (SUP) Directive, which came into force on 3rd July 2019, aims to reduce the impact of certain plastic products on the environment. This has caused large brands and manufacturers to re-evaluate their packaging strategies and seek out sustainable alternatives. ECOGRIP eliminates the need for single-use plastic ‘shrink wrap’ when carrying multiple bottles. The 100% biodegradable packaging that can be adapted to fit any type of bottle on the market.  Cart-One brings real customer value. As part of a Pan-European Alliance, Blue Box Partners, our team offers expertise and collective intelligence, delivering local solutions to global problems. Our experience in different countries across Europe makes us perfectly placed to give customers broader perspectives. We want to work with brands to develop packaging solutions that not only solve their current issues around single-use plastic - but also provide environmentally-friendly, sustainable packaging solutions for many years to come. Finding an alternative to single-use plastic Consumers, regulators and retailers are all demanding an end to single-use plastic, and advocating for sustainable packaging alternatives: END-CONSUMER AND BRAND OWNERS: People want to get engaged and contribute to the change by choosing biodegradable packaging (Source: Open Innovation Manager -FMCG) REGULATION: From 1st January 2021, there will be a new ‘Plastic Tax’ of EUR 0.80 per kilogram of non-recycled plastic packaging waste RETAIL: Retailers are starting reject articles with single-use plastic packaging from their stores (Source: Packaging Engineer – FMCG) While industry continues to improve recycling rates for plastic bottles and containers, most secondary packaging such as shrink-wrap falls into the category of single-use plastic. Shrink wrap may be efficient to produce, lightweight and convenient, but it has a catastrophic effect on the environment when it is not recycled. Each year, hundreds of millions of tons of SUP are produced and end up in our oceans and landfill. This has resulted in considerable pressure from governments, environmental groups and consumers - all of whom are demanding solutions around biodegradable packaging which is more sustainable.  Paper-based packaging is attractive to consumers (and retailers), but it impacts in the supply chain in a number of ways. Any viable alternative to single-use plastic needs to be easy to transport, easy to handle and easy to store. But it also needs to be adaptable. With so many different bottles on the market, any paper-based solution has to be simple and scalable to meet demand. Sustainable Packaging - ECOGRIP - Key Features Cart-One within the Blue Box Partners’ development team carried out extensive customer-focused workshops and in-situ trials and testing to ensure performance. We harnessed knowledge and experience from all our partners to produce a biodegradable packaging solution that meets the needs of brands all over Europe. ECOGRIP is designed to be flexible and practical. It doesn’t matter what style of bottle or cap is involved, or how many bottles need to be accommodated. ECOGRIP will be compatible. Our core message to customers is around adaptability, ease-of use and biodegradability. Main features:  Fully adaptable concept designed to fit any bottle neck or cap regardless of diameter  Solutions available for single-use plastic packs of 4, 6 or 8 bottles between 0.33 and 1.5 litres Both manual or mechanized possibilities to ensure automation and bar-code hiding (thanks to our partnership with of one of the biggest machine builders. Ergonomic design making it easy to handle Customizable with any kind of printing technology Registered under a European i-DEPOT Single-use plastic alternative - ECOGRIP - Benefits ECOGRIP is an adaptable and sustainable packaging concept. Easy to produce at scale, it also provides several compelling benefits: Sales incentive through attractive and innovative design Easy to grip, easy to store, easy to unclip individual bottles and easy to dismantle 100% recycled and recyclable Fully biodegradable packaging Experienced team of European experts happy to work alongside customers to provide extra support Sustainable packaging - Short term fix, long term solution With ECOGRIP, Cart-One is looking to build long-term relationships with customers, brands and manufacturers. Our mission is to provide viable alternative to single-use plastic within future supply chains. ECOGRIP is truly a biodegradable packaging technology for modern times: A robust, simple, sustainable product ready for application at speed and scale. We want a world where retailers and consumers can be confident that the purchases they make are packaged responsibly, not just today, but always. Do you have similar issue to solve? Please contact our team through the contact section.

Recently, the decree in force since 2006 regarding packaging labeling has been amended. Since the end of September 2020, Italian manufacturers face penalties for missing or deficient packaging marking. This measure has created quite a few difficulties for the manufacturing and printing sectors, which will have to adapt quickly to the newly imposed regulatory updates. Specifically, the amendment to the decree was implemented following the European directive on the circular economy issued in 2018. Consequently, Legislative Decree No. 116 of September 3, 2020, was promulgated in Italy, coming into force on September 26. What does the new regulation provide for? The main advantage of the new regulation lies in the fact that it should facilitate separate collection, recycling, and recovery, as well as offer consumers clear information on final destinations. However, on a practical level, the new decree establishes that the lack of packaging marking is to be attributed to the manufacturer, and the measure is intended to take immediate effect. This aspect puts packaging manufacturers in a difficult position, as they have not had sufficient time to comply with the regulation and, simultaneously, have not had the time to deplete their stocks and review with their clients how to redesign the packaging. With Legislative Decree No. 116 of September 3, 2020, published in the Official Gazette No. 226 of September 11, 2020, and effective from September 26, 2020, monetary fines were also established for the missing or incomplete transmission of information data. This legislation stems from the need to align with the decisions of the European Parliament and Council to move toward a circular economy. In this way, member states can take action to preserve resources that can be recovered, setting targets to be achieved by 2025, with the recovery of at least over half of municipal waste, while for packaging it is necessary to reach at least the 65% threshold. What are the main changes compared to the past? Compared to past legislation, an amendment has been made to Article 219, which concerns the guiding criteria for the management of packaging waste related to Legislative Decree No. 152 of April 3, 2006. In particular, some words in paragraph 5 have been modified, which in the previous version expressed the following concept: "All packaging must be appropriately labeled in accordance with the procedures established by decree of the Minister of the Environment and Territorial Protection in agreement with the Minister of Productive Activities in compliance with the determinations adopted by the Commission of the European Union, to facilitate the collection, reuse, recovery, and recycling of packaging, as well as to provide correct information to consumers on the final destinations of the packaging. The aforementioned decree shall also prescribe the obligation to indicate, for the purposes of identification and classification of the packaging by the industry concerned, the nature of the packaging materials used, based on Commission Decision 97/129/EC." Subsequently, an implementing decree was never issued that should have specified the times and methods of the new procedures. Since 2006, in fact, reference has always been made to some indications on how packaging should be marked, without ever putting any measure into effect in this regard that could standardize the entire market. Legislative Decree No. 116 of September 3, 2020, now provides that the implementing decree is replaced by the applicable UNI technical standards, in addition to specifying that: “Manufacturers also have the obligation to indicate, for the purposes of identification and classification of the packaging, the nature of the packaging materials used, based on Commission Decision 97/129/EC.” What are the problems resulting from the changes? In the absence of the implementing decree, reference must be made to the applicable UNI technical standards and the obligation to state packaging information to manufacturers, with immediate effect. With the definition of this obligation, administrative sanctions were also introduced for manufacturers violating the rule. All this, however, brings confusion to the packaging world, introducing above all a series of issues to which the government is called to respond more effectively. Indeed, the regulation, as imposed, puts manufacturers in a difficult position who: Have not had the time to deplete their stocks. Have not had the time to modify their systems for this purpose, a task that takes 3-4 weeks, particularly for remaking and approving printing plates and printing the labels themselves. Without the necessary exemptions, would have to remake the packaging for products that require a seasoning period once packaged (e.g., wine and cheeses). Lack a clear and explanatory legend indicating the application symbols. Lack precise indications regarding the size and space requirements of the symbols on the packaging. The reference regulation (EC) 97/129 appears incomplete because it only includes some materials but not all. Lack the time frames to rethink packaging designs already in progress. In this sense, also on Confindustria's initiative, corrective measures have been requested from the Ministry of the Environment to offer printers the opportunity to deplete stocks and adapt printing plants. Negotiations have just begun, with the feedback collected by Confindustria in a document sent on October 14, 2020, through which they want to shed light on the difficulties and critical issues within the sector. Surely, a solution is desirable that allows for a reasonable compromise, leading companies to adapt following certain and defined rules both regarding the production of cardboard packaging and other types. Meanwhile, to obviate the issues explained, Conai has made available a series of guidelines and an operational tool, viewable at e-tichetta.org, with the aim of providing indications for packaging marking. Although made available by a nationally recognized body, the tools proposed by Conai are not yet officially validated by the Ministry. In this regard, the email address epack@conai.org has been set up to offer users the possibility to send their reports and express their doubts. If these tools are used, it is important to inform your customers of their provisional nature. This advice is recommended from the moment the Ministry could request any adjustments and provide new indications, which would require a new adaptation of the printing systems and new costs to be borne.

Packaging for the luxury segment is built and designed to convey brand values ​​by focusing on elegance and innovation. Nowadays, a new sensitivity regarding pollution and waste production, as well as the changed purchasing habits of consumers and the greater use of online stores, have given the sector new stimuli, offering the possibility for designers to experiment new solutions. So Packaging Première has promoted research aimed at understanding the evolution of qualitative trends that are emerging in the packaging user sectors. With the advent of the pandemic, there was a renewed interest in Made in Italy, both in terms of domestic consumption and in terms of the foreign market. In this sense, the packaging had the task of transferring those values ​​that are iconically linked to the excellent products of our country, such as elegance and tradition, but also innovation and originality. What are the characteristics of luxury packaging? The packaging used by brands operating in the luxury sector has always been strongly identifying the brand. The customer, therefore, recognizes himself in that specific product starting right from the packaging. Thinking of packaging variations different from the usual one can be harmful in terms of recognizing the distinctive features of the product. This strategy, therefore, can only be used for celebratory purposes, for example on the occasion of an anniversary or a limited edition. However, not all products are suitable for this type of operation. In addition to the desire to obtain a personalized and recognizable packaging, at the same time companies require the realization of projects that aim to protect the environment, combining the use of recycled materials with savings in the input phase and with the consumption of themselves. Furthermore, with regard to the use of the product by the final consumer, we can see that in Europe the sensory interaction between packaging and the consumer is privileged. This aspect is also evident in the difference in approach to colour, preferring a range of shades that bears the concept of naturalness in its essence, as happens, for example, for products in the food chain. What are the prospects that influence the production of luxury packaging? With the advent of the pandemic, the number of users who have turned to online commerce to satisfy their needs has increased. This trend could stabilize over the next few years. If in the past the tactile sensations regarding the composition material of the packaging could be an additional attraction, now it is necessary to conceive the packaging with an aesthetic capable of involving the potential buyer through the screen. The search for a new aesthetic will go hand in hand with the need to preserve functional characteristics. In this sense, also given the greater sensitivity of consumers towards issues concerning the environment, it will be the designers' responsibility to propose solutions that come to life from recycled materials, easily disposed of once they are placed in the circuit of use. The packaging of the future will be user-friendly, suitable for containing costs, thanks to the lightening of the raw material and the consequent lowering of transport costs. The new trends in luxury packaging As we have mentioned, the packaging is also designed on the consumer's habits. If at one time glossy finishes were synonymous with prestige, now they are mainly intended for foreign markets such as Russia and the Emirates. We tend to preserve processes that have important details that can give back pleasant tactile sensations. At the same time, attempts are made to limit or eliminate the use of multi-material packaging, to avoid integrating paper and plastic. As for printing, there is talk of a reduction in costs through the use of nanotechnologies, which have not yet found use in Italy. Finally, technological advances make it possible to obtain paper and cardboard packaging made from renewable sources or from processing waste, which undergo processes capable of making the packaging robust. For the creation of customized corrugated cardboard packaging obtained through sustainable processes, discover the proposals of CART-ONE.

It has been exactly two years since the Alliance and its members were FFP certified. A lot has changed in that time. More than a year on from the start of the pandemic, there has been a seismic shift in ecommerce packaging that no-one could have predicted. Here, we will look at the key trends and impacts that were released at the last E-pack Europe event. Ecommerce business – adding complexity in the customer journey Before addressing the current situation, it is important to look at the background and evolution of ecommerce business and examine the key features. Digitisation has led to more complexity during the customer journey, multiplying potential touchpoints and creating a new distribution channel – ecommerce. The Internet has changed how we decide what to buy. In a physical shop, we are more governed by impulse and visual stimulation. Online, there are more variables, and research plays a much bigger role in purchase decisions. Google coined the term Zero Moment of Truth, or ZMOT, to describe the part of the buying process when the consumer researches a product prior to purchase. After that, there are multiple further “moments of truth” that move a consumer closer to buying: In this journey, ecommerce packaging plays a substantial role, since it is replacing the First Moment of Truth where a consumer sees a product for the first time. As such, it becomes one of the key brand assets, and box design is one of the success factors that we will explore later in this piece.  Ecommerce packaging  the challenges in supply and value chains  Every manufactured product can travel across many paths. The challenge is to understand and tackle where the value is.  The way a product is transported is very different for online channels than for standard ‘bricks & mortar’ distribution channels. For ecommerce purchases, each parcel can be handled up to 20 times more often! This means box design for ecommerce packaging solutions is considerably more complicated than the traditional retail model: Ecommerce business – the pandemic and the forecast of the “next normal” On 21st Jan 2021, at the all-digital CES (Consumer Electronic Show) 2021, a study revealed that COVID-19 increased ecommerce business by the equivalent of 10 years in just 8 weeks. The global ecommerce packaging market is currently estimated at $43.1 billion. With a 12% CAGR projected value, it could reach $75.1 billion by 2025 (Source Smithers Pira). All consumer packaged goods (PCG) segments were significantly impacted by the changes in consumer habits brought by COVID-19: At the E-pack Europe event in December, Google’s Miguel M. Avalos (Head of Commerce Product Marketing & Digital Acceleration Program), discussed some of the major search trends of the last year: ecommerce vs. physical – huge acceleration of ecommerce but we can expect a move back to “brick & mortar” retail as the effects of the pandemic recede   brand vs. marketplace – increase in owned ecommerce to allow better brand experience  curation vs. endless aisle – ‘endless aisle’ refers to the concept of enabling customers in the stores to virtually browse or order a wide range of products that are either out of stock or not sold in-store and have them shipped to the store or their home. During the pandemic, curation increased which allowed niche offering more than mass-offers   privacy vs. personalisation – while personalisation was a key trend and brought value to the customer, it has shifted to more “local” search in order to support business continuity close to people’s location  Nowadays, we can raise the following question: will this unprecedented growth in ecommerce sectors continue beyond the pandemic? Predictions of what the “next normal” will look like show some megatrends for the future. These will have to be integrated into the next ecommerce packaging and box design initiatives.  Ecommerce business –main stakeholder profiles and expectations  At the E-pack Europe event, moderator Jim Chrzan (VP Content and Brand Strategy at PMMI Media Group) made some interesting observations in his opening remarks: 75% of brand manufacturers are making changes to the secondary packaging   40% of brand manufacturers are considering changes to the primary pack  We also need to consider that the term ‘ecommerce packaging’ has different meaning for the three profiles in the value chain: E-consumer  Focus on unboxing and Ultimate Moment Of Truth as “wow” effect  Re–think secondary packaging as primary packaging  E-retailer/Logistician  Increase fulfilment efficiency  Reduce incidence of shipment damage  Minimise waste  Brand owner  Meet e-consumer and e-retailer requirements  Include smart packaging solutions  Increase omnichannel solutions  The trigger is to align interest on primary, secondary, and tertiary packaging so that brands are not affected and customers are not disappointed. As well as the logistics functionalities (containing, preserving and protecting) and information vehicle (branding, usage and promotion), box design should integrate new “must-have” attributes: Sustainability first  All around Europe, studies are aligned. As an example, a recent French study revealed: 98% of the population wants ecommerce packaging that will protect the product(s) from any damage  92% is concerned that the right volume of packaging should be used to reduce waste  89% demand recyclable packaging – knowing that mono-material box designs help to increase the recycle rate  85% wish to have reusable packaging options These figures can be extrapolated to any European country. Design for ecommerce business The success factors for a smooth, homogenous and omnichannel experience have to be identified and implemented according to the needs of all the various stakeholders. There are many factors to consider when it comes to ecommerce packaging. Optimising packaging design for brand owners, e-retailers and end consumers is now more important than ever. They can be sum-up in 8 criteria: Protection and security of your product(s): Ecommerce packaging has to be fit to size, securely closed and tested with dedicated methods. It will prevent damage and also thefts thanks to temper evidence. Easiness to erect and fill: To optimise efficiency and speed at the e-retailers Reclosing and reducing the environmental impact: box design should include “easy to return” features that allow reuse of the box – therefore enhancing its life cycle Optimisation: The entire ecommerce supply chain should be rethought and optimised to minimise void shipment – it is about moving from a palletisation logic to a “parcel” logic Ship-ready branded opportunity: Omnichannel options help merging primary and secondary ecommerce packaging, allowing brands to have a new territory to express their assets Increasing and facilitating the unboxing experience: For brand owners and brands born on the Internet – so called Digital Native Vertical Brands (DNVB) – the differentiating criteria will be in a box design with a great consumer experience Even though most of these elements are not new, tomorrow’s ecommerce packaging winners will be the ones that have identified these opportunities, with the upcoming increase of track and trace / smart ecommerce solutions. The success factors will be in working with a holistic approach to meet the demands of each stakeholders.

The beverage sector also needs to renew its packaging to meet the greatest needs in terms of sustainability and recycling. In detail, among the solutions that can make the market evolve in this direction, we find beverage cartons. The latter represent a packaging solution that combines several factors that determine its sustainability, including easy recyclability and low carbon emissions to protect food and beverages, so as to allow safe transport and use. What will the beverage packaging of the future be like? ACE, The Alliance for Beverage Cartons and the Environment, together with its members, including SIG Combibloc, BillerudKorsnäs, Elopak, Stora Enso and Tetra Pak, spoke on this topic. All the forces in the field, in fact, aim for the future to create an increasingly sustainable, renewable, recyclable cellulose-based packaging that has the least possible impact on the environment. Implementing this roadmap will require decisive action on the entire supply chain, in order to obtain a production that is correctly oriented towards the creation of green packaging. First of all, work will have to be done on sustainable procurement and on the recovery and recycling of materials placed on the market. In detail, the 10 commitments that must allow a more sustainable production of beverage cartons can be deduced from the roadmap drawn up. Separate collection: its critic role in sustainable development The first and ambitious commitment is to reach 90% of separate waste collection, with a recycling rate of at least 70% within the next 10 years. Separate collection, if done correctly, can become a real resource that reduces the need to find raw material based on virgin cellulosic, so as to have additional attention to forest ecosystems. Decarbonisation strategy: continuing the fight against climate change We have already spoken in the past of the importance of decarbonization strategies, protagonists of a real revolution in the fight against climate change. Also for the packaging sector for beverage products, this objective is put in black and white through the implementation of decarbonisation strategies of the production and distribution chain. The goal is to achieve the reduction of 1.5 ° degrees / centigrade set by the "Science Based Targets initiative". Forecast for 2030: this is how the beverage carton will be composed If the commitments are maintained not only by companies, but also through political measures at European level that aim to foster innovation and sustainable packaging production and the economic benefits that these entail for the manufacturing companies themselves, then we will have a modern beverage packaging. and suitable to meet the needs of the modern consumer. By working with a supply chain approach, it will therefore be possible to obtain a packaging with the following characteristics: In renewable and / or recycled material in its entirety Fully recyclable and recycled Made with sustainable and certified raw materials even in the case of virgin raw material Packaging solutions with the lowest carbon footprint will be preferred The beverage packaging production sector chooses the path of the circular economy and recycling to respond to the challenges in Europe, so as to contribute to the achievement of climate neutrality in support of the protection of biodiversity and the environment, while always having as objective consumer health and safety.

Shrink film is one of the most often used packaging in the Food & Beverage sector. This type of packaging is suitable for manual and automatic lines and represents an optimal way to seal products. While representing an economic and sustainable method, perfect for the needs of large retailers, at the same time its environmental impact cannot be denied when it becomes waste. The shrink film, if not made with biodegradable films, often becomes a mere waste without any possibility of being differentiated. The question to ask, therefore, is: is shrink film always necessary? The ecological alternatives to shrink film More and more consumers today are demanding sustainable packaging for the products they buy. This trend is encouraged by a greater green culture and a wider awareness of the damage caused by global warming and climate change, mainly due to a lifestyle based solely on use and consumption. Recycling is now a reality to which consumers are accustomed, but at the same time the latter are always looking for a product that has a packaging that can be easy to differentiate. For shrink film, however, this may not always be the case. In addition to the production of biodegradable films or films made of recycled plastic that can be used in contact with food, one wonders if the shrink film is really indispensable for the Beverage sector. As for the bottles, the shrink wrap performs the function of transporting several bottles at the same time. Let's think, for example, of the classic water packaging, where the bottles are held together by the wrapper. In these cases, transport solutions in other materials, such as corrugated cardboard, can also be used. This is the revolution brought about by ECOGRIP. Cardboard packaging: a sustainable resource With ECOGRIP a new approach to packaging opens up. The product was developed by Blue Box Partners, the European alliance of cardboard packaging manufacturers to which Sada and Sandra belong thanks to their participation in the Cart-One network. The aim was to provide a sustainable alternative for bottle transport. ECOGRIP offers the possibility of eliminating the shrink film in favor of a 100% biodegradable solution, coming from recycled raw materials and in turn recyclable. ECOGRIP was conceived on the basis of an Eco - design philosophy that avoids wasting raw materials while maximizing results.

In our previous article, we described the key drivers of ecommerce packaging and the three main stakeholders in the value chains. Today, we will focus on e-consumers and how to create a memorable unboxing experience. We will first redefine where the term comes from. Then, we will identify how ecommerce packaging plays a crucial role during all ‘Moments Of Truth’. Finally we can make assumption about the key future trends. Please enjoy reading the piece, along with some wonderful examples of how our European teams have already started to create compelling packaging designs. Memorable unboxing experience – Why and when? “If companies want to increase their profile, specifically on social media, they must invest in the box as much as the product.” Paul Marsh, Managing Director – The Packaging Experts A memorable unboxing experience occurs when a consumer is so inspired by the packaging and the visual impact of a product they have bought online, they want to share it on social media. The ways consumers interact with ecommerce packaging – how they receive it, open it and engage with it - provide a big opportunity for brands, and can even help them go viral. But when did this new trend appear in the digital world? What is its evolution and how can we explain it? According to Google trends, people have been talking about their “unboxing experiences” for many years, but the term became widespread in 2008, as the “Unboxing Ceremony of Nokia E61” was the first to be recorded and published on youtube. Since then, the trend has grown to reach a peak in 2014, before stabilizing until 2019, and decreasing slightly in the last two years (probably due to Covid’s impact). However, most years there are substantial peaks in the month leading up to Christmas. Our role is then to co-create with our customers memorable unboxing experiences. How? By identifying the best opportunities to increase brand loyalty across the different Moments Of Truth. As we looked at in our previous article, these are shown below: Source: Google Memorable unboxing experience – A vehicle of brand image and message “If you were a customer who ordered something online, which is going to make you feel more valued: your purchase arriving in a generic cardboard box, or in attractive, bespoke packaging?” Beth Owens – Marketing Strategist Online purchasing is a completely different experience to shopping in physical premises. All of the touchpoints within the customer’s journey are changed, with ecommerce packaging replacing the role of traditional primary packaging. Let’s start with the arrival at the doorstep, which marks the start of the Second Moment Of Truth. At this stage, the ecommerce packaging is the first thing a customer sees, and is therefore responsible for carrying a brand’s key messages, including its sustainability policy. In the below example, developed by the Blue Box Partners’ Alliance, the packaging design generates a great first impression. It provides fantastic incentive to open, and promises to deliver a memorable unboxing experience. According to Dotcom Distribution, 40% of online shoppers would share an image of their purchase on social media if it came in branded packaging . Memorable unboxing experience – The Ultimate Moment of Truth or the way to go viral! A great unboxing experience is like the cherry on the cake: the final thing that makes something perfect! Ecommerce packaging can prolong the consumer’s exposure to a brand’s vison and allow a wider scope for positioning and storytelling. As they open the box, consumers will continue their journey, offering the brand further opportunity to display coherent and homogeneous messages. At the same time, brands can propose additional services, and further information on how to reuse their packaging. In the first example, parents can build a baby mobile for their children: This is similar to Amazon’s initiative in July 2020, “Less packaging, more smiles” which encouraged consumers to upcycle the boxes into pet houses and robot costumes. Or this example below, where online shoppers are invited to reuse the box to sell items of clothing on Vinted! In both these examples, you can clearly see that packaging design enhances the brand narratives. It is not just “a box”, but a chance to take customers on a journey,which is vital for inspiring repeat business. And, according to Forbes, acquiring new customers can cost up to five times more than retaining your existing base. Ecommmerce packaging – Reusability and returnability features to ease sustainable behaviours The next example raises curiosity and awareness of after-use recycling possibilities. Research shows 62% of online shoppers are more likely to purchase from brands using sustainable packaging. Moreover, “Returnability” features are key: they simplified life for the consumer by using glue tapes to reclose and resend the original product. These examples, all made out of corrugated cardboard, a mono-material solution that enhances recycling rates. Using sustainable products and communicating about it allows brands to cultivate an image of strong ethics and social responsibility. It has become a global concern, clearly shown by an increase in searching results of 140% within the last 12 months. Finally, as we discussed at the beginning of the article, the concept of the “unboxing experience” started with electronic products. Let’s close the loop with another example from that industry. First of all, consumers today are equipped with more electronic devices than ever before. The average UK household owns 9.16 devices. Secondly, society is increasingly concerned by the impact of so many electronic devices on the environment. Therefore, we are seeing a huge demand for reconditioned products that are delivered online. To avoid shipping the original box inside a new box, we can offer a packaging design solution with a retention system that overcomes logistic strains while minimising resources and void. To conclude, Packaging design has become a powerful tool that can have an impact throughout the customer journey. Not only does it help to engage and inform consumers, it can help to retain them too. As a result, packaging plays an important role throughout the act of purchasing, where consumers are influenced not only by a product, but by the entire memorable unboxing experience – resulting in the Ultimate Moment of Truth. Seduced by unexpected extra offers or benefits within the ecommerce packaging, the consumer will be keen to share the moment with others, creating viral content that will increase eWOM (e-Word Of Mouth), and become the Zero Moment Of Truth (ZMOT) for another consumer looking online for the same or a similar product. What can we expect for the future ecommerce packaging? As technology continues to evolve, and advancements such as AR (Augmented Reality) or IoT (Internet of Things) become commonplace, the concept of a memorable unboxing experience becomes even more important. Companies will need their brand perception to evolve alongside their products, and packaging design has a crucial part to play in promoting both consumer engagement and sustainability. If you need support in designing packaging for e-commerce, our team is at your complete disposal: contact CART-ONE for a personalized consultation.

Paper is increasingly at the center of the Food and Beverage sector due to its intrinsic characteristics. This material, in fact, can define a natural, biodegradable and recyclable product. All these features are perfect for cellulose-based packaging to be used in contact with food. In the next paragraphs we will evaluate the consequences related to the use of packaging with respect to food waste, especially given the increase in sales from e-commerce and food delivery. Food waste in a pandemic: the numbers Food waste is still one of the most common problems related to the welfare society. An estimated 3,624,973 tons of food were wasted in 2020. However, despite the boom in e-commerce and food delivery, there is a decrease of 11% nationally, given by Waste Watchers 2021 on the occasion of the eighth day against food waste. The greater awareness has led the consumer to implement strategies that also involve packaging, which today becomes a faithful ally in the fight against waste. Paper and cardboard in the consideration of consumers Paper and cardboard play a fundamental role in the preferences of Italians because they combine safety and sustainability. The Waste Watchers report we cited earlier demonstrated how our fellow citizens have implemented strategies that have helped limit food waste. The situation of uncertainty and the restrictions imposed on circulation have changed spending habits with more prudent and conscious choices, including that of favoring efficient and sustainable packaging. Packaging of paper and cardboard: how innovation allows the transport and storage of food The paper industry sector has always worked to develop innovative products, so that increasingly high-performance solutions can be obtained that offer safety and sustainability performance. This concept led to a study conducted by Comieco, the National Consortium for the Recovery and Recycling of Cellulose-Based Packaging, and by the Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna of Pisa. The study showed that innovative materials such as nanocellulose offer perfect preservation guarantees and a high degree of recyclability. These features allow for great application possibilities. The food packaging scenario, based on the goals achieved, is destined to change and transform itself in an increasingly sustainable and circular perspective. In particular, at the heart of the development of new solutions is the series of products for food delivery. This segment has experienced a boom in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic. This impulse has accelerated already evolving processes and encouraged the realization of new projects. From doggy bags to pizza cartons, passing through food bags, paper and cardboard are confirmed in first place in consumer preferences. According to a study by Two Sides, Packaging in the eyes of the European consumer, 2020, paper and cardboard are confirmed the top choice of European consumers: the latter have declared that they absolutely prefer this material for its sustainability and ease of recycling. CART-ONE, thanks to the experience and know-how consolidated over time, is your trusted partner for the production of customized packaging for the Food sector. Discover our innovative proposals for sustainable cardboard packaging.

Redefining your corporate image can help give loyal customers a new experience, which can also be compatible with reaching new niches of public. Nowadays, sustainability policies are fundamental, as consumers are more attentive to issues concerning the production chains and the aspects concerning the packaging of the item they purchase. Is it sustainable? Is it easily recyclable? Is it reusable? These are some of the questions the user asks himself when faced with packaging. Let's see some examples that have made it possible to redefine the corporate image through experiences focused on sustainability. Sustainability as a communication strategy Presenting itself as a company that favors sustainable processes certainly helps to build a more ethical image and at the same time responsible for working conditions. In fact, sustainability does not only mean limiting environmental impacts, but also having a positive impact with one's business on the social communities involved in the production process. Sustainability has now become central to corporate communication. There are more and more cases of brands, such as in the rice supply chain, which reinvent packaging starting from waste. Other companies, on the other hand, work to reduce the use of plastic, such as for example in delivery. Circular economy and sustainability: protagonists at the Milano Marketing Festival 2021 The themes of the circular economy and corporate sustainability were the main concepts of the opening works of the third day of the Milan Marketing Festival 2021, an event organized by Class Editori, visible on ClassCnbc and on official channels. During the event, the players in the sector, from food companies to cosmetic product production companies and representatives of companies specialized in the production of packaging, told about their experience regarding the impact of the sustainability choices made. on sales and customer perception. In this sense we can mention Emanuele Preve, managing director of Riso Gallo, who told of how the company started from the selection of the raw material coming exclusively from certified agriculture, and how the next step was working on the packaging through the reduction of impact of the packaging starting from the cardboard up to the recycled plastic necessary for the creation of the vacuum packaging. This process proved the company right, which saw a positive response from the market. Consumer and packaging: the levers that can promote the purchase. The vision of the packaging, the tactile experience and the deepening through the reading of the label are crucial moments in the purchasing process. Why is a product discarded? Probably because the buyer did not recognize himself in the values ​​of the brand, which is represented at that moment by the packaging itself. A wrong product dress can decree a failure in sales, because it does not reflect the new ideals and new characteristics of the modern consumer: more informed, more attentive and more aware of the entire path that leads a product from the shelf to the online showcase. For companies operating with a real production sustainability project, it is also necessary to defend themselves from competitors who boast a purely formal adherence to the ethical principles of the circular economy. Company policies communicated through its official channels must necessarily be followed by consistent action. In this sense, not only recyclable packaging is enough, but it is necessary that the raw material used has been, in turn, completely or in part, recovered, and that the production phases impact as little as possible in terms of polluting emissions. It is necessary to have certifications that can attest to the quality of production processes, in order to obtain greater credit towards consumers. Policies regarding personnel management must be respectful of the dignity of the worker. We need to promote activities and messages aimed at raising consumer awareness. In this sense, all these aspects decree a sustainable approach. CART-ONE is engaged at the forefront in the production of corrugated cardboard packaging for companies and e-commerce. We have activated production cycles that reduce the environmental impact and only use certified raw materials from responsibly managed natural resources, as well as having implemented a recovery policy for processing waste so that nothing is wasted. For personalized advice, contact CART-ONE and find out how to make the packaging for your product in a sustainable and ecological way.