Food and trends: packaging and sustainable communication

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.

Christmas is just around the corner, and if you want your products to stand out in the holiday rush, the key is packaging that captures attention and creates a memorable experience for your customers. Christmas packaging: how to surprise your customers at Christmas. Holiday packaging is not just a wrapper for your products; it is the first impression customers will have of your brand during the festive season. With Cart-One, you can turn this experience into something magical and memorable. Read also: “Packaging cardboards: what materials are they made of?” Start with the perfect foundation: corrugated cardboard sheets The secret to flawless Christmas packaging lies in its foundation. Cart-One stands out in the production of high-quality corrugated cardboard sheets, ensuring strength and flexibility. These sheets are the perfect canvas for creating packaging that stands out for its sturdiness and capability to protect your products. From here, your packaging takes shape. Cart-One transforms corrugated cardboard sheets into a wide range of options, from classic slotted boxes (American boxes) to displays and special boxes. Customization is our strength: single or double wall, recycled or moisture-resistant paper, simple printing or high-definition four-color process. We have everything you need to create a unique packaging design. The art of memorable packaging Cart-One is not just a packaging supplier, but an active partner in the creative process. Collaboration with clients is at the heart of everything they do. If you want a unique design for your holiday packaging, the Cart-One team is ready to put its expertise at your service. Here are some creative ideas for your Christmas packaging: Custom printing: add a personal touch with custom holiday prints that reflect your brand identity; Innovative shapes: Cart-One can create unique packaging shapes that catch the eye and add an element of surprise; Holiday greetings: include holiday messages on your packaging to convey seasonal warmth; Interactive elements: such as reusable stickers or small Christmas games. Offering a tactile experience can engage customers in a fun and memorable way; Integrated lighting: this could be a subtle strip of LED lights or a design that glows in the dark. This will make your product even more appealing under the Christmas tree lights; Reusable packaging: promote sustainability with sturdy and attractive boxes that can be used to store Christmas decorations or other items after the gift is opened; Incorporate scented elements: add an extra sensory dimension, perhaps with a subtle scent of pine or cinnamon that evokes the holiday spirit. With Cart-One, you are not just buying packaging; you are investing in an experience that makes your products unforgettable. Partner with Cart-One to create Christmas packaging that wonders and delights your customers, giving them a unique experience under the tree. For further information or to request a customized quote, do not hesitate to contact us. See also: “How to find the best packaging for your product”

Plastic baskets, punnets and trays, corrugated cardboard bags, packaging with nets and sustainable packaging represent part of the solutions used as packaging in the fruit and vegetable sector. A complex and articulated world bonded to movements to which fresh fruit and vegetables are subjected. There are numerous needs to be met: from transportation to fruit and vegetable companies to point of sales, whether they are wholesale markets or linked to large-scale modern distribution. Whatever the fate of these products, the primary objective is to ensure that they arrive perfectly packed and intact on the shelves of the reference department. Corrugated cardboard for better storage This type of packaging has now reached a market share of 35% and a production of around 600 million pieces per year. Thanks to its high flexibility, both in terms of storage and transport, it is a solution that is well suited to the fruit and vegetable supply chain. A study conducted by the University of Bologna-Department of Agri-Food Science and Technology found that fruit and vegetables, if stored in corrugated cardboard packaging rather than in other types of packaging, have a 20% higher degree of conservation. Read also: Why (it is important) to recycle corrugated cardboard: the benefits Reusable plastic The plastic packaging department is mainly divided into two macro-areas: Disposable plastic trays Plastic returnable trays The second category is in turn represented by reusable plastic packaging at: Folding sides Fixed sides EURepack (European Reusable Packaging & Reverse Logistics Consortium) Active consortium that promotes the spread of reusable packaging to replace "disposable" packaging, highlights how the use of this type of material reduces negative effects on the environment and lowers the costs of transport, thanks to the compact and less cumbersome structure of the boxes. According to the Consortium, moreover, reusable packaging finds its greatest use precisely in the large-scale distribution of the fruit and vegetable chain where the usage index exceeds 50%. Recyclable wood According to Assoimballaggi, the National Association of Wood, Pallet, Cork and Logistics Services Industries, the companies producing wooden crates for fruit and vegetables amount to around 200 in Italy for an annual turnover of around 200 million euros. In the fruit and vegetable sector, the main products are: Bins: used to transport products to storage centers Wooden boxes: for transportation from storage centers to distribution to the end customer. Light or 'disposable' pallets: material that is not reusable due to its construction and structural characteristics, suitable for a single use. The wooden packaging, especially the boxes used to house fruit and vegetables, can be recycled thanks to the nonprofit Consortium Rilegno, born following the Legislative Decree 22/97 (Ronchi Decree) with the aim of directing a correct management of the waste coming from packaging. Recyclable and reusable packaging for the fruit and vegetables sector Although corrugated cardboard represents the primary choice in terms of packaging for the fruit and vegetable sector, thanks to its flexibility of use and better food preservation, we have been able to note that the other types of packaging, plastic and wood, are also increasingly moving towards recyclable and reusable - and therefore eco-sustainable - materials in order to support the environment and reduce production costs. You may be interested in: Food packaging: how and what to do to win customers over