Print4All: what emerged from the International Circular Economy Summit

The upward trend in prices shows no signs of slowing down, now reaching 70% for cellulose; and while we have been witnessing unprecedented increases in raw materials (such as steel, wood, and gas) for six months, we are forced once again to question the future of production supply chains, put to a severe test by prices that are now skyrocketing. Italian companies are further burdened by increases regarding energy costs, making it necessary to find solutions to avoid halting entire production chains. In particular, the companies facing the greatest difficulties are micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises, upon which falls a double sword of Damocles represented by the cost of raw materials and energy. Data from Confartigianato shows that the most "expensive" effect is evident in the North-East of our country, home to numerous companies and businesses, including family-run ones. In this area, the rise in raw material prices weighs on micro and small enterprises by 3.3% of GDP.  The impact has also swept through the North-West, affecting it by 2.8%, while for micro and small enterprises in Central Italy, the impact drops to 2.3%; the lowest impact is recorded in the Mezzogiorno, standing at 1.8%. The issue of the unavailability of raw materials puts the very existence of companies to a severe test, forcing them to turn down orders both due to the difficulty of sourcing raw materials and the impossibility of honoring quotes made months ago.  Confartigianato announced that the percentage of companies operating in the construction sector reporting materials shortages as an obstacle to production rose to 9.5% in September 2021. Raw materials: how they affect economic recovery The high cost of raw materials and their unavailability represent an obstacle to recovery. Despite increasing orders, we are witnessing a slowdown in investments as well as innovation processes, and the demand for labor is falling. Some are even attempting to access social safety nets.  There is a growing need to monitor speculative maneuvers; therefore, the introduction of price control mechanisms, as in the case of the energy sector, would be appropriate. How the packaging sector is facing the crisis  The restart within the packaging sector brought about an increase in requests, but successive lockdowns and restrictions had previously forced businesses to slow down. In doing so, a gap was created between market demands and actual response capacity. Currently, the packaging sector is weighed down by price increases in cellulose, in addition to the costs of waste paper and gas costs, which have now skyrocketed. Some paper mills are thinking of countering the situation by temporarily suspending operations, all to avoid producing below cost. The overall picture of increases puts production to a severe test: for instance, long-fiber NBSK has seen increases of 60%, while it amounts to 70% for short-fiber eucalyptus. These increases translate into a price per ton of 1,350 dollars for long-fiber and 1,150 dollars for short-fiber, according to Assocarta data. Paper and cardboard for recycling have risen by 138% and 143% respectively, marking prices from 155 up to 170 euros per ton. Therefore, anyone wishing to purchase raw materials for recycling pays much more for them. What are the reasons for the price increases in paper and cardboard for recycling? The advent of the pandemic changed our purchasing habits. On one hand, there was a greater demand for packaging due to the explosion of e-commerce and the creation of packaging destined for takeout. Furthermore, the increased demand for sustainable containers led to paper and cardboard being identified as the primary candidate for replacing single-use packaging. It must also be considered that the paper sector is among the most energy-intensive. The increase in the cost of gas, as also reported by Assocarta, has been rising since the summer of 2020 and unfortunately tends to grow without showing signs of slowing down. This has significantly impacted the finished product. At times, price increases are equal to 5%, and even up to 10%. For this reason, according to some paper mills, it will be necessary to halt production, at least until more affordable gas costs can be accessed. How much does the cost of energy impact the cost of packaging? According to estimates reported by Il Sole 24Ore, energy represents 30% of the total costs incurred, and therefore, even if turnover tends to increase precisely because of a greater demand for paper and cardboard packaging, profit margins tend to narrow due to high energy costs. Among the most affected sectors is tissue: we are talking about sanitary and household paper, because this segment, due to its type of production, needs to secure agreements lasting at least six months, a timeframe too long to allow for the forecasting of final prices. How much do the new EU regulations on packaging influence price increases? As we have repeatedly explained in previous articles, packaging is at the center of a revolution. The need to reduce or eliminate plastic volumes within packaging has caused the demand for cardboard to soar. Faced with a stable production capacity, an increase in cardboard demand was generated, which in turn, in this delicate situation, caused a general price hike: Linerboard with corrugated medium → +65% Graphic paper → +15-20% Tube paper → +55% Paper and cardboard are among the most recyclable materials. In our country, we have achieved a good level of circularity regarding paper collection and recycling, giving life to a more sustainable production cycle. At the moment, a large volume of orders is being recorded, but it is impossible to fulfill them. As pointed out at the beginning, the e-commerce boom made manufacturers aware of the need to provide a massive amount of packaging.  How should packaging production be rethought? The crisis in the paper sector also asks us to rethink our relationship with packaging which, especially regarding primary packaging, carries aesthetic value, product recognition, and so on. At present, efforts are being made to review the concept of packaging, particularly based on functionality, so as to align production and optimize it solely and exclusively to meet specific needs. While we have already talked in the past about packaging design in terms of resource savings and waste reduction, this requirement has now become a true diktat to be followed.

In the case of relocation, transfers, or simply sending a gift from Italy abroad, it is always necessary to equip yourself adequately and follow a few simple tips. How to ship household appliances: suitable packaging. Do you need to ship a small or large household appliance but don't know where to start? Well, then it's time to learn how to distinguish between the various products and understand the different packaging methods, provided they are always safe, resistant, and of high quality. Let's find out all the details in this article. Read also: “How to pack a television and special objects for a move” Small or large household appliances The world of household appliances is truly vast. Therefore, it is first necessary to distinguish between small and large household appliances. Depending on the specific classification, the shipping method, process logistics, and, of course, the packaging system will change as well. Shipping small appliances If you need to ship one or more small appliances, you must always remember that the more delicate they are, the more adequate filler material you will need to use to avoid potential impacts and damage to the item. In this case, the best advice is to use corrugated cardboard boxes (American type), especially triple-wall ones. Generally, fillers are employed to protect and fully safeguard the item being shipped from vibrations, impacts, and jolts that normally occur during transport by vehicles. Bubble wrap, for instance, is among the best-known filler materials—a polyethylene sheet featuring air bubbles. Furthermore, since these are small and lightweight appliances, they may be shipped via standard couriers along with other types of goods. In the latter case, the important thing is to adequately protect each appliance using reliable packaging materials, for example by wrapping it in bubble wrap and then completely lining it with polystyrene sheets 2-3 cm thick. Complete the operation by placing everything inside a highly resistant cardboard box, leaving no empty spaces between the inner wrapping and the box. Let's now discover the best packaging according to the small appliance to be shipped: electronic equipment, such as computers and monitors, hairdryers, microwave ovens, and kitchen tools: double-wall box, which is not particularly heavy or bulky; small electronic devices, such as cables, phones, intercoms, small emergency or alarm devices: die-cut boxes with reinforced closure, which are secure, sturdy, and reusable. Shipping large appliances If, on the other hand, you need to ship appliances with large dimensions and significant weight, such as washing machines, refrigerators, dishwashers, dryers, vacuum cleaners, and so on, you must opt for triple-wall boxes and pallets (wooden platforms) that allow heavy packages to be handled with specific loading and unloading equipment (such as forklifts). The pallet, therefore, is a wooden platform on which the goods to be transported are placed and secured; the best on the market, safe and approved under European law, is the EURO and EPAL pallet. For greater security and to better immobilize the corner guards, wrap your appliance in bubble wrap, but also use organic packing peanuts or paper void filler before loading it onto the wooden platform. If there are fragile parts (such as glass shelves in refrigerators), it is preferable to remove and pack them separately with sheets of bubble wrap, to be then inserted into a cardboard box and placed inside the appliance itself or on the pallet. Next, you will need to arrange the appliance inside the triple-wall box, such as semi-ready triple-wall boxes, featuring staples on the sides to provide greater support and resistance up to 500 kg, with a maximum size reaching 120 x 80 x 80 cm. In addition, you can also decide to use polystyrene profiles or corner protectors to shield the corners, which are the most delicate parts of your package. To find out more: “GIFCO Conference 2022: corrugated cardboard figures in Italy in 2021” If you need valuable packaging with high-quality products and cutting-edge technologies, choose CART-ONE. Discover all our products and ensure the best performance. Contact us to receive all the information you want.

From January 1, 2023, the mandatory packaging labeling enters into force, affecting not only producers but also distributors, importers, and retailers of products. Packaging labeling: mandatory since January 1, 2023. Environmental labeling consists of applying a specific label to all packaging placed on the Italian market, to facilitate its collection, reuse, recovery, and recycling, while providing information both on the packaging composition and on its correct disposal by the consumer.   Find out more: “The environmental label in packaging: what the Italian regulation says”   How the new packaging labeling works The new regulation on packaging labels was introduced to ensure a uniform level of consumer protection throughout the European Union (EU). Indeed, product labeling will provide consumers with more precise and comprehensive product information, ensuring greater transparency in the supply chain. Therefore, with the onset of the new year, from January 1, 2023, it is mandatory for all companies to label their products in compliance with the new European regulation on product safety.   Specifically, the decree establishes that «all packaging must be appropriately labeled, according to the procedures established by the applicable UNI standards, to facilitate the collection, reuse, recovery, and recycling of packaging, as well as to give correct information to consumers regarding the final destination of packaging».   The guidelines were adopted by Ministerial Decree no. 360 of September 28, 2022. From January 1, 2023, however, it is no longer possible to place packaging on the market that lacks environmental labeling. Conversely, packaging already on the market or labeled as of January 1, 2023, can be marketed until stocks are exhausted. Failure to comply with the eco-label will be penalized with a fine ranging from 5,000 to 25,000 euros. This document is the result of the work carried out by the Ministry together with the technical group of CONAI, the National Packaging Consortium.   What the new packaging regulation covers The new labeling requirement stipulates that all packaging on the national market must feature the alphanumeric code identifying the material used. If intended for household use, packaging must indicate, in addition to the type of material it consists of, the instructions for correctly disposing of it in separate waste collection. Specifically, the mandatory information to be applied on packaging aimed at the final consumer is as follows: the alphanumeric coding of the material; collection instructions, along with an invitation to check the provisions of one's own Municipality. To these, further optional but highly recommended information can be added: the type of packaging: bottle, flask, tray, label, and so forth; information to improve collection quality, such as flattening or rinsing the package before throwing it away, or removing the label.   Regarding multi-component packaging, components that cannot be separated manually must be distinguished from those that can be separated, indicating for each the composition material code and separate collection methods. For packaging related to the industrial or commercial sector, such as for display, logistics, and transport activities, packaging may omit collection information but must mandatorily report the alphanumeric code of the material in use. Producers and distributors can also choose to communicate information regarding product composition and disposal via digital media, for example: scanning QR codes; via apps; visiting websites.   Furthermore, each label has its own color: blue for paper, brown for organic waste, yellow for plastic, turquoise for metals, green for glass, and gray for unsorted waste.   In conclusion, product labeling must be clear, legible, and understandable to all consumers. The mandatory labeling of products represents an important step in consumer protection throughout the UE, as it will provide consumers with clear and precise information about the products they purchase, ensuring greater transparency in the supply chain and protecting their health and safety.   Read also: “Recycled and recyclable paper: the differences between the two processes”