The role of AI in packaging: how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing the industry

Who are the pilots and what is their mission? The pilots are a team of innovation’s representatives of each alliance’s member (see below for more detailed information). They define themselves as: “We are a bunch of pragmatic and entrepreneurial colleagues on a mission to discover sustainable, corrugated based packaging solutions that will bring value to our most respected global customers.” For them, identifying the precise issue to be solved and co-design tomorrow’s solution is one of the best ways to serve our customers. How do they do it? By offering exclusive working sessions together with clients and cross-functional profiles (marketing, R&D, designer, production manager) and one of the partners of the European innovation eco-system. Based a design thinking method facilitated by Board Of Innovation with Michiel Mol and Robin Vermeulen, the objective is to quickly prototype and to accelerate projects that are already identified or that will be soon in the pipeline. In November 2022, the Innovation Academy was hosted at H.B. Fuller’s location in close partnership with Elizabeth Staab and Martin Riswick. Even with the COVID situation, it was decided to maintain the session, on a hybrid version that was really appreciated by our clients: "Even if this was done remotely, this was interactive, really appreciate their enthusiasm to work on the topic”European Packaging Engineer With an average success rate of 8.34/10, the Innovation Pilots have decided to continue this very valuable and customer-centric event and to set-up four Innovation Academies for 2022. Please save the dates! March 2022 (date to be confirmed) – topic: how to design alternative to single use plastic in the beverage industry? – France - already full 5th to 7th April 2022 – topic: how to tackle e-commerce supply chain impacts? – location to be defined 13th to 15th September 2022 – topic: how to identify paper-based options for your business? – location to be defined 15th to 17th November 2022 – topic: how can we imagine the future of e-commerce? – location to be defined Do you want to know more about the program and the topic? Please have a look at the document! 2022_BBP_HbFuller_Innovation-Academies_Teaser-1Download Do you want to have an entire team dedicated to your issue? Please contact us! daphne.deledicq@vpkgroup.com Origin of the European Pilots team Since January 2021, our Chief Innovation Officer, Daphne Deledicq decided to create a dedicated team in order to answer global customers’ requests and to work together on key strategic packaging topics, sustainability and e-commerce . This team gathers packaging design experts from the alliance with complementary profiles: VPK: Arnaud Bertelli and Nikolaas Verhelst Klingele: Christian Hoessle Hinojosa: Norman Masia Cart-One: Daniele Plazzi and Fiorentino Pirone Most of them were already the ones trained in 2019 for FFP certification #Ecommerce / #Sustainability

Double-wall cardboard sheets are specially designed and structured to withstand impacts and eventual drops, but that's not all. What are double-wall cardboard sheets used for? These are the most resistant models, designed to withstand loads exceeding 10 kg, thanks to a double internal structure. This feature gives them considerable rigidity to support the packaging, resisting impacts and long shipping periods.   Read also: “Corporate packaging: how to make cardboard more resistant”   Characteristics of corrugated cardboard Corrugated cardboard, in general, is among the most requested materials in the production of robust and versatile packaging, capable of containing, protecting, and transporting. Corrugated cardboard consists of two sheets of flat cardboard (the liners) and one or more sheets of corrugated cardboard, held together by natural adhesives derived from corn or wheat starches. When there are two or more sheets of corrugated cardboard, an additional sheet of flat cardboard, known as the central liner, is placed between them.   Corrugated cardboard comes in single-wall, double-wall, and up to triple-wall versions: the flute height can vary from 1.1 mm up to 4 mm, with specific combinations that can even reach 15 mm. In any case, in the packaging world, the various types of corrugated cardboard are considered true standards for organizing even bulky shipments. However, they are particularly appreciated for their quality, lightness, resistance, and rigidity.   Use of double-wall cardboard sheets Double-wall cardboard sheets are models designed to withstand loads exceeding 10kg, making them even more robust than single-wall cardboard sheets because the double internal structure gives the packaging high rigidity and support. There are always two liners, one internal and one external, and there are two corrugated surfaces, connected to each other by a third flat surface called the central liner. This is where double-wall cardboard boxes originate.   Double-wall boxes are structured to withstand impacts and long transit periods during shipping, making them perfect for holding medium-sized objects, as well as for stacking. Furthermore, their rigid structure guarantees that the packaging boxes remain almost completely non-deformable even when full, an essential factor for safe protection and storage in warehouses.   But how should double-wall cardboard sheets be used? The main uses are listed below. For document archiving: this allows you to better organize all your documentation, especially if you have a large company; To protect goods remaining in the warehouse: to avoid the risk of being affected by humidity, organizing properly and safeguarding the work of the entire stock that has not been sold or is waiting to be shipped; To ship important goods: quality in this sense is an indispensable factor for any type of transport, even more so if it involves fragile and highly valuable objects that must reach their destination without any damage or inconvenience.   In conclusion, double-wall cardboard sheets serve to guarantee high security for your shipments, but that is not all. This is a factor that should never be overlooked, both for your business and for your customers' needs.   For high-quality packaging, rely on CART-ONE. Discover all our products and ensure the best performance. Contact us to receive all the information you desire.   You might also be interested in: “How to ship household appliances: suitable packaging”

In 2025, the purchasing choices of Italians will be increasingly guided by three major trends: health consciousness, savings, and sustainability. According to data from the Nomisma Consumer Goods Packaging Observatory, presented at the Marca Fair in Bologna, packaging plays a fundamental role in influencing consumer preferences. But how can packaging become a strategic ally to respond to these new needs?   Sustainable packaging: what influences Italian consumers' purchases. Let's discover together how packaging can transform into a key element for more conscious and responsible consumption.   To learn more: “News on packaging regulations: towards safe, sustainable, and circular packaging”   What are Italian consumers looking for in 2025? In 2025, Italians will be increasingly careful with their purchasing choices, trying to balance health, savings, and eco-sustainability. The Nomisma Observatory identified three main drivers that will guide consumer decisions. Health consciousness will play a key role: 46% of Italians consider a food product healthy if it is minimally processed. Furthermore, 34% prefer foods free of additives, colorants, and added sugars, while 32% lean towards products with low or no fat. Savings remain another determining factor, with a strong focus on economic value that pushes retailers to offer quality products at affordable prices. Sustainability completes the picture, with 46% of consumers considering a product truly sustainable only if it has ecological packaging. In addition, 43% of Italians prefer local or zero-km products, while 42% prefer to buy items produced with reduced CO2 emissions. These data highlight how consumption choices are increasingly oriented not only towards health and savings, but also towards respect for the environment, with growing attention to sustainable packaging as a distinctive element in the purchasing decision.   The role of packaging: more than just a wrapper Packaging represents a true communication tool with the consumer. According to the Observatory, packaging acts as a "sentinel", meaning the first element that influences the perception of a product's sustainability. What makes packaging truly sustainable? Completely recyclable: 51% of Italian consumers look for packaging that can be easily recycled. Reduction of overpackaging: 43% prefer essential packaging, free of superfluous wrapping. Renewable materials: 40% of respondents appreciate the use of green raw materials. Low CO2 emissions: for 35% of consumers, it is important for the packaging to have a reduced environmental impact.   Health consciousness and sustainability: a winning pair When it comes to healthy products, sustainable packaging becomes even more relevant. 73% of consumers believe it is essential for healthy foods to have green packaging, a percentage that rises to 76% for foods with a low environmental impact. Retailers know very well that eco-friendly packaging is not just a matter of image, but also an effective way to align with environmental regulations. Offering private label (MDD) products with sustainable packaging allows them to meet consumer expectations and strengthen the brand's positioning in the market.   The challenges of sustainable packaging: costs and regulations Among the main obstacles are the costs of raw materials, which are often higher compared to traditional materials. Added to this is the continuous evolution of environmental laws, making it difficult to plan long-term strategies for packaging. Even the availability of sustainable materials can be an issue, since it is not always possible to find stable supplies at competitive costs. Despite these difficulties, choosing green packaging can turn into a real opportunity for companies. Managing to overcome these obstacles means standing out in the market and responding effectively to the growing demand for sustainability from consumers. Ecological packaging can become a strategic element, capable of enhancing the product and strengthening the brand image in a market increasingly oriented towards respecting the environment.   Cart-one: packaging solutions that make a difference Cart-One proposes itself as the ideal partner for companies that want to make packaging an added value for their brand. Our solutions are designed to: Reduce environmental impact: using materials that respect the environment. Avoid overpackaging: offering smart packaging that optimizes space and minimizes waste. Guarantee product quality: thanks to packaging that maintains food freshness and safety. Our goal is to create a more sustainable packaging lifecycle, from the choice of raw materials to disposal, helping companies comply with environmental regulations and satisfy consumer expectations. Packaging as a tool for success in 2025 Packaging is a strategic element that can directly influence purchasing choices. Health consciousness, savings, and sustainability are the new priorities for Italians, and well-designed packaging can effectively respond to these needs.   Cart-One is ready to support companies in this transition, offering packaging solutions that improve the consumer experience and contribute to a greener future. Want to make your packaging a strategic asset for your brand? Contact us and discover how our solutions can help you make a difference.   See also: “Packaging Cost Optimization 2025: strategies for efficiency, sustainability, and savings”   Source: Il Sole 24 ore