Press Releases

Smart Packaging events schedule for Autumn 2024 kicks off!

Two events from AIPIA and its partners AWA Associates are about to kick off. The first event is in Chicago, on 8 and 9 September coinciding with the Labelexpo Americas event. Then the biggest event in the Smart Packaging calendar, the AIPIA World Congress is set for 18/19 November at the Novotel RAI hotel in Amsterdam

The AWA & AIPIA Smart Labelling Summit in Chicago is bringing together some of the leading innovators in this area of digital technology to discuss the latest ideas and innovations in Smart Labelling developments. 

Lining up to deliver amazing insights, the proceedings kick off on Sept 8 evening where Craig Miller, President Americas of MCC Label will talk about Small Label, Big Impact: Our Role in a Circular Economy. Next day begins with a keynote session from Sucharitha Srinivasan Global Vice President of Digital Transformation Enabler (DTE) Beontag ,giving a market overview. 

Next Paul Davies of  NXP Semiconductors and Peter Bloch from Avery Dennison will discuss some of the latest RFID/NFC applications and advancements. After Paul Yong from Maxcess reveals the lates Die Cutting Solutions, Peter Bloch will join Eef de Ferrante of AIPIA, Lorren Miller of Identiv and Louis Parker of Checkpoint Systems on a panel talking about Smart and RFID Labels: Challenges and Optimization.

The afternoon is packed with sessions featuring thought leaders like Steve Statler from Wiliot, Andrew Morehead GS1 US, Paul Simonet, Experience is Everything and Shannon Blue of SGK. The final act will be another dynamic panel looking at the Future of Smart & Intelligent Labelling which will see Eef, Steve and Paul joined by Amber Walls of GS1 US, Amy Awe of NXP and Karl Hoelper of CCL Healthcare.

Surely this line up, plus Labelexpo makes a visit to the Windy City unmissable. Book your ticket today!

The Congress is already attracting big brands and major Smart Packaging innovators. With Amazon, AB InBev, Auchan, Merck, Nestlé, Johnson & Johnson, Unilever and Vion Food Group already participating the interest from retail and mega food, beverage and pharmaceutical brands is clear to see. The program will follow four themes: Smart Sustainability, Connected Packaging, Powering Supply Chains and Food Safety & Security. 

The event will also feature the inaugural meeting of the funded Smart Food Chain project, where all Consortium delegates will meet for the first time. And AIPIA Congress would be complete without the Brand Challenge, where a major brand seeks a smart solution to a challenge it faces and a dozen AIPIA members have just three minutes to pitch their ideas. The winners get to continue the conversation with the brand after the Congress. It all makes for a highly dynamic two days! We’ll be telling you more about the Congress in the coming weeks.

For more details of both events go to the AIPIA website www.aipia.info and you can also register there. For more information contact Eef de Ferrante at eef@aipia.info  or Tanveer Hussain at AWA t.hussain@awa-bv.com 

Positive outcome of preliminary bid puts Smart food Chain project on track for approval

July 18, 2024

Having put in its initial bid for funding under the Horizon Europe Chips Joint Undertaking in mid-May the Smart Food Chain (SFC) project is pleased to announce that it has successfully passed this stage of the process. SFC can now move to the final bidding process in September, and remains on track for a project start date in January 2025.

The project comprises a consortium of more than 50 companies, representing 13 EU member states, from all parts of the Supply Chain. It’s aim is to reinvent food supply chains across Europe and beyond.  SFC project has been initiated by AIPIA, the Active & Intelligent Packaging Industry Association, PACKZ a Dutch based packaging expert company and Berenschot, a major independent Dutch management consultancy. It will be coordinated by T-systems, the Germany based digital transformation service provider.

According to the evaluation summary report received from the EU funding authority, the first proposal was rated very highly and well above the threshold needed for a successful bid. However it pointed out certain weaknesses in the proposal, such as the need for more inclusion of innovative technologies and more quantitative KPIs or measurable targets. These will be addressed in the final bid as will a more precise description of the objectives of the project.

The summary states:

The proposal is clear in terms of the general objectives and motivations. The objectives are well presented and in accordance with the call, stating the current situation with food packaging and credibly describing paths to reduce food packaging and food waste along the supply chain. 

The state of the art of the different sensors and packaging materials is very comprehensive and provides a clear, global vision of the unmet social needs and the necessity to develop technologies to minimize food waste. AI and ML, required for this project, are soundly described, including robustness aspects. 

The proposal goes beyond the state of the art in a multi-fold approach and the challenges to reach the proposal goals are correctly identified for all the domains proposed in the project. 

Consortium members, which include many leading smart technology suppliers, as well as packaging companies and major research institutes; and several leading international food producers who will be involved as partners or affiliates, will now work on the final bid proposal. 

Commenting on passing this stage of the process successfully AIPIA managing director Eef de Ferrante said, “We are very excited to have achieved such high marks in this round, including approval of the total budget of €40 million, which does include consortium member contributions. There is still some work to do, but it is clear that the EU think this is a very important project which addresses a critical important issue – food waste. We look forward to achieving final approval and to starting the SFC project in 2025.”

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AIPIA Smart & Sustainable Summit successfully returns to China after 4 year break

An audience of over 100 delegates enjoyed a welcome return of the AIPIA China Summit during the recent ProPak China exhibition in Shanghai. AIPIA, in conjunction with its Chinese partners Prime Business Consulting, staged a full day of presentations on 19th June covering some of the latest developments in Smart and Sustainable packaging technologies aimed at the huge and growing market in the world’s second largest economy.’

The opportunities for Smart packaging to prosper in China are high, given that Supply Chains are under intense pressure still and many of the companies are concerned about fake products in sectors, such as wines & spirits, medicines and luxury goods. There is also an increasing focus on Sustainable packaging and how active and intelligent packaging can contribute to more environmentally friendly practices at every stage of the value chain.   

Ten speakers covered topics such as low carbon innovative packaging through intelligent. non-invasive oxygen level testing in MAP, using digital printing to replace labels for cartons and how smart packaging can help to deliver Corporate Social Responsibility goals.

A particularly ‘hot’ topic globally is the new GS1 Digital Link standard. It means that identifiers such as the GTIN are now a gateway to information that strengthens brand loyalty, improves supply chain traceability information, and enables business partner APIs, patient safety, etc. Laurent Tonnelier of MOBILEAD gave an excellent introduction to this new world of coding.  

Peter Stael of Across-Consult discussed how Zero Emissions is a wakeup call to FMCG companies and suggested how Smart packaging might help to deliver them. Sanners’s Chinese representatives explained how desiccants can play a role in shelf-life extension in the food and nutrition sectors.

Eef de Ferrante, managing director of AIPIA introduced the Smart Food Chain (SFC) project which is currently under construction and applying for European Union research funding. He explained that the aim of SFC was to reinvent global food supply chains using Smart technologies to greatly improve tracking, traceability, condition monitoring, product information – in fact all aspects of a modern, efficient food supply chain.

In a joint statement issued by Eef de Ferrante of AIPIA and Wu Chao-Wu of Prime Business Consulting after the close of the event they said, “We are delighted with the response to the first AIPIA Smart & Sustainable Packaging Summit since 2020. We thank all our speakers and delegates for their great support. It demonstrates the interest in these technologies is still very high and only set to increase in the Chinese market. We will certainly be back next year with an even bigger and better Summit!”

In 2023, the China Packaging Market size was estimated at USD 193.5 billion and is set to grow at a CAGR of 3.5% over the next three years, according to some of the latest research*. Additionally In 2022, the number of smartphone users in China was almost 1.04 billion. According to the forecast**, the user number is expected to increase to around 1.18 billion by 2026. With around 6.6 billion people who use smartphones around the world, China accounts for over 15% of total users.

Prime Business Consulting Shanghai Co., Ltd.
Mr. Wu Chao-Wu
wu@primeshanghai.cn 

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AIPIA’s Smart Food Chain project gathers momentum as preliminary bid process begins

A consortium of more than 50 companies, representing 13 EU member states, from all parts of the Supply Chain have reached the first stage of a landmark project to reinvent food supply chains across Europe and beyond. The Smart Food Chain (SFC) project is initiated by AIPIA, the Active & Intelligent Packaging Industry Association, PACKZ a Dutch based packaging expert company and Berenschot, a major independent Dutch management consultancy.

The overarching goal of the project is to reduce the amount of food and food packaging waste which is currently occurring in the worldwide food chain ‘from farm to fork’. The goal even stretches beyond the fork, so the promotion of more efficient use and re-use of outdated food products and recycling of packaging materials.

The initial bid for funding under the Horizon Europe Chips Joint Undertaking, was submitted in mid-May with an initial indication of the outcome expected by July. If successful a full bid will be prepared for submission in September, for a project start date in January 2025.

- Currently the SFC consortium consist of a well-organized mix of companies which consists of technology providers, food supply chain partners, brand owners and research institutes with the providers based on sensor technology, supply chain data management, AI and predictive software and packaging concepts. By aligning these partners within a well-defined work-package framework - there are five technical Work Packages described in the bid - this focus will allow the set-up of demonstration lines within the food supply chain.

- Project coordinator is T-systems, the Germany based digital transformation service provider. The primary objective of their task in this project is to support the development of a robust, scalable, and secure decentralized data exchange/trade platform tailored to meet the unique challenges of data sovereignty and data interchange in food tracking.

- Consortium members include many leading Smart Technology suppliers, such as Aptar, Digimarc, NXP, Zappar and Zebra Technologies as well major research institutes, including Holst Centre, Fraunhofer IMS and VTT. Several leading international food producers will be involved as partners or affiliates, helping with, and implementing the project Work Packages.

The current amount of food waste is strongly dependent on the food product and where in the food chain one looks for it, but varies between 5% to 30% of the total food stream. In the EU this is estimated at around 58m tonnes per year. The accompanying loss in value is estimated to be around €132 billion annually and the corresponding redundant emissions of greenhouse gasses equals up to 254m tonnes each year. Worldwide figures would be multiples of these values.

By developing new technologies, devices and IT-systems, and adopting and adapting existing ones the project partners hope to achieve a considerably larger traceability of food products, transparency of the food chain logistics and improved quality monitoring and assurance. This should reduce waste of food and money, and fight climate change due to reduced emission of greenhouse gasses, as well as delivering lower water and energy use.

However the project partners emphasize that a concrete reduction in these numbers are highly dependent on the adoption of the project’s results. Therefore, the project is designed to connect to existing technologies, systems and practices in the world of food production, food processing, food logistics and even food use. Leading elements in the project are several, real-life use cases in the food chain; representing actual problems which hamper food chain efficiency and promote food waste.

Commenting on the submission of the SFC preliminary bid, Eef de Ferrante, managing director of AIPIA said, “This is a very important moment in the development of the Smart Packaging sector. If successful it will demonstrate that, by working together, smart technology providers can achieve fundamental advances for the food industry. Also it will be the basis for a successful Smart Packaging sector going forward. We are optimistic about the success of the bid and the future of the industry.”

• If you are interested in learning more about the Smart Food Chain project or wish to be considered as a participant
• Please contact Eef de Ferrante, AIPIA, eef@aipia.info 

ITENE

ITENE's 24th IAPRI World Packaging Conference has garnered global attention with over 200 abstract submissions from experts representing companies and research centres in 32 countries

More than two hundred potential speakers will have the opportunity to present their research findings at this international scientific and technological event organized by ITENE in Valencia.

The international scientific committee is tasked with selecting the papers that will constitute the conference program, with an anticipated attendance of over 400 participants.

Valencia, January 25 2024 - The 24th IAPRI World Packaging Conference, organized by ITENE and scheduled to take place in Valencia from June 17 to 21, 2024, has garnered substantial interest from the global scientific and business community. Over 200 abstracts from experts representing companies and research centres in 32 countries have been submitted, reflecting the conference's significance as the foremost scientific and technological event in the packaging sector.

Scheduled to coincide with ITENE's 30th anniversary, the conference has received abstracts spanning research, innovation, and technology. The international scientific committee, composed of packaging experts, is currently reviewing the submissions to curate a program that will feature projects either in a presentation taking place within four parallel rooms or through a scientific poster exhibition. The selected papers will also be published in a special book.

The scientific committee, consisting of international packaging experts, is presently assessing the most exceptional papers that will form the congress program. Envisioning an attendance exceeding 400 participants, the event is positioned as a distinctive platform for disseminating innovations and advancements in the field of packaging.

Javier Zabaleta, the Managing Director of ITENE, has conveyed his enthusiasm for the positive response from the scientific and business communities: "The quality and quantity of the abstracts received underscore the global significance of the 24th IAPRI World Packaging Conference. We are delighted to host numerous leading researchers and international experts in Valencia.

The conference, to be hosted at the SH Valencia Palace Hotel, will encompass a diverse range of topics, including packaging materials, product packaging, packaging technologies, packaging machinery and technologies, packaging design and development, packaging for goods distribution, packaging for dangerous goods and chemicals, packaging sustainability, and packaging.

Tickets are now available for purchase on the 24th IAPRI World Packaging Conference website (https://iapri2024.itene.com) for researchers, academics, industry professionals, and packaging students seeking to explore the innovations and trends transforming the packaging industry, connect with prominent industry professionals and experts, and gain insights into ITENE on its 30th anniversary.

The conference is scheduled to start the 17th of June 2024, with a welcome reception and tours of ITENE facilities. Additionally, between the 18th and 19th of June, presentations and a poster exhibition will be held, followed by the concluding sessions, the IAPRI General Assembly, and the awards ceremony on the 20th of June. The event will conclude the 21st of June, offering attendees another opportunity to visit ITENE's facilities.

Complementary activities include guided tours of the city of Valencia, social gatherings, and an official dinner to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the research centre.

About ITENE and IAPRI

ITENE is a specialized technology centre focusing on packaging, assisting companies in adopting circular economy practices and optimizing the design, safety, and functionality of their packaging. With 30 years of expertise, ITENE leverages its knowledge and technology to serve the industry through research and development (R&D), technical assistance, testing, and training services. Furthermore, it maintains an ITENE Community comprising more than 4,000 companies and 10,000 professionals. As a member of prominent organizations within its field, ITENE actively engages in forums and initiatives it supports.

In 2015, ITENE hosted the 27th IAPRI Packaging Symposium at its headquarters in the Technological Park of Paterna (Valencia). This scientific congress, exclusively for members of the association, attracted 120 researchers from 27 countries who presented 135 research contributions.

IAPRI is a global packaging innovation network established in 1971 as an international association dedicated to promoting research and education in packaging. Currently headquartered in the United States, IAPRI has 85 members from 29 countries.

For press inquiries, please contact the ITENE Communication Unit:

• Email: comunicacion@itene.com
• Phone: (+34) 96 182 00 00.
• Stay connected with us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
• For more information, visit www.itene.com

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Smart, Active and Sustainable packaging at PACK.Nxt in Mumbai

PACK.Nxt 2024 is going to bring together India’s leading Brand Owners, Converters, Solutions and Technologies under one roof. Over 1 incredible day, we’ll be featuring the most forward thinking innovators, disruptors and visionaries.

With over 10 sessions and 2 separate conference tracks, the agenda will cover everything from Smart Packaging, Sustainability, Authentication & Security, Customer Experience, Connected Packaging and much more!

Please join us in welcoming over 20 packaging industry leaders with many more joining us every week! 

• Mr. Sridhar J, Head Packaging Development, Pureplay Skin Sciences
• Dr. Probodh Halde, Head - Regulatory Affairs, Marico India
• Mr. Pradeep Kumar Pandey, President- Pkg Dev, Emami
• Mr. PN Sridharr, GM Sustainable Products and Packaging, ITC LTD
• Mr. Kaunain Shahidi, Purchasing Manager (Group), AImarai
• Mr. Bharat Bhushan Rathi, Head Distribution and Logistics, Mankind Pharma LTD
• Mr. Girijesh Srivastava, Global Supply Chain Manager, Sun Pharma
• Mr. Saikat Acharya, Associate Director, Packaging & Design, Global I&D, Abbott
• Mr. Sachin Gorade, Deputy General Manager, Lupin Limited
• Senior Speaker Packaging from Colgate-Palmolive
• Mr. Santosh Panda, Sr. Group Manager - Packaging Development, R & D, Britannia Industries Limited
• Mr. Barun Banerjee, Chief Technical Officer, Jupiter Laminator (Ex Nestle)
• Mr. Subhra Sankha Nandi, Packaging Commercialisation Head RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group, Too Yumm - Foods
• Mr. Gurpreet Singh Bhimber, Head of Procurement, Indo Nissin
• Mr. Amit Milind Kale, Associate VP Sourcing and Supply Chain, Reliance Retail
• Mr. Ramesh R, Director R & D Foods Packaging AMESA, PepsiCo
• Mr. Bhupesh Kumar Mittal - D&P Global Packaging Manager, Bayer Consumer HealthCare
• Mr. Diwaker Bharadwaj, President (Automation/ Serialization, Packaging & Brand Protection), Polycab India Limited
• Mr. Mani Vajipey, Co-Founder & CEO, Banyan Nation
• Mr. Satish Agrawal - President (Tech.& Oprns), Ajanta Pharma Ltd
• Mr. Andrew Manly, Director, AIPIA
• Nr. Naresh Khanna, Founding Director and Editor-In-Chief, Packaging South Asia & Researcher IPP Star

For Delegate Registrations:

• Rahul Khurana M: +91 9599881028 | E: rahul@threefold.in
• Akshat Pandey M: +91 8448079708 | E: akshat@threefold.in 

For Association & Partnerships:

• Naresh Khanna M: +91 9811172224 | E: naresh@ippgroup.in 
• Rohit Dewan M: +91 9811152332 | E: rohit@threefold.in 

To register yourself as a delegate online click on:

REGISTER HERE           Event Website HERE

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AIPIA World Congress: Look who’s talking too!

Inuru completes Platinum sponsor line up...

Inuru, specialists in OLED labelling and dynamic surfaces for packaging, join Crane Automation, OMRON and Zebra Technologies as one of the major sponsors of this year’s AIPIA World Congress. They will make the opening keynote on the Smart Futures Stage on day one of the event, when Marcin Ratajczak will delve into the aesthetic allure of OLED, highlighting its seamless integration into standard labelling processes and equipment, achieved through the ingenious combination of printed and hybrid electronics.

In a panel Zappar will be joined by Unilever and the Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) to explain and discuss how packaging is addressing accessibility for all using an accessible QR code which can deliver information to those who are visually impaired – just the starting point for that journey we anticipate.  

Elaine Wilkinson of Zebra Technologies will then explore how to harness environmental sensors and indicators for intelligent packaging across the supply chain. While Max Kabalisa and Jean-Pierre Amorij both from Unicef will show how serialized vaccine scans in Africa are a milestone in tackling falsified medical products.

Delegates will then get the chance to hear how Checkpoint Systems has collaborated with McDonald’s France to implement food-safe RFID technology into its new reusable containers – a move hoped to keep track of the packaging, optimise the restaurant’s reusable system, and reduce waste.

The afternoon of day one continues with Dominique Guinard of Digimarc telling us how the world is Getting Ready for the Sunrise of 2D Barcodes as retailers and consumer brands across industries prepare for Sunrise 2027. And to conclude proceedings on the Main Stage on day one Patricia Torres, Omron Europe will ask Closing the circle: Is your packaging smart enough for circularity?

Meanwhile on the Smart Futures Stage on day one Speakers from Wiliot (ambient IoT), Antares Vision (supply chain transparency) and STMicroelectronics (NFC connected packaging) will set the tone of the morning, while after lunch and browsing the 20+ stands delegates can then learn all about the evolution of product identification from Laava. 

Toppan will then talk about the integration of NFC into packaging and Systech will explain how existing packaging can be made to work harder and smarter! After the break Blockstore will reveal how frictionless shopping can be both more efficient and less wasteful. The Futures stage activities  on day one end with a 360 degree focus - e-label & directives + sustainability + product security by Nina Zehetmaier of Securikett.

Commenting on the agenda Eef de Ferrante, managing director of AIPIA said, “As usual we are delivering a breathless and disruptive agenda which includes something for everyone. A hallmark of the Congress is that it is not just the industry talking to itself but involves all the stakeholders, including Brands. We urge you to book your ticket today!”

“The fact we are co-located with the Sustainable Packaging Summit simply adds even more value to the event as sustainability is a key aspect of Smart Packaging development,” he added. 

SEE AIPIA WORLD CONGRESS AGENDA HERE

Look who’s talking: Amazon, Unilever and AB InBev confirmed for AIPIA Congress

A stellar line-up of speakers for the upcoming AIPIA World Congress is launched. These already include leading global on-line retailer Amazon and major brands such as AB InBev and Unilever. 

The event – held in the iconic Beurs van Berlage, Amsterdam, 14-15 November – is the only global event for the Smart Packaging sector and brings together stakeholders from the active and intelligent packaging industry and users to share information on trends and the latest connected and active technology developments. 

This year the Congress is co-located with the Sustainable Packaging Summit. Both will benefit from the synergies which are being identified between the sustainability agenda and smart technologies, which can aid recycling and reuse of materials and packs, as well as helping to deliver messages about the environmental agenda to consumers. 

Major technology providers such as OMRON and Zebra Technologies are Platinum sponsors of the Congress and will exhibit some of their latest innovations as well as making keynote presentations. They will be joined by other leading smart packaging technology developers such as Antares Vision Group, AlmaScience, STMicroelectronics, Securikett, Toppan and Wiliot with others important companies set to confirm very soon.

Eef de Ferrante, managing director of AIPIA, commenting on the line up, said, “We have some familiar returning faces who are always at the forefront of smart packaging innovation and so, always with something new to say, as well as some fresh faces to add their own unique take on the way our industry is developing.”

“With 20 + demonstration booths, top quality panel sessions featuring  some of the thought leaders in the sector, plus an exciting technology scouting session from AB InBev the Congress is set to be a very dynamic and disruptive event. Running at the same time as the Sustainable Packaging Summit also adds a different and highly relevant dimension to the proceedings,” he added. 

“In the coming weeks we will reveal more details of the presentations and panels and confirm the Brand Challenge topic and scope. But much of the agenda can be seen already on the AIPIA website and this will, as usual, be updated in real time as details are finalised,” explained AIPIA’s communications director Andrew Manly. 

To see the latest program information and to book your delegate pass to the AIPIA World Congress HERE

About: AIPIA, the Active & Intelligent Packaging Industry Association is the global Smart Packaging hub with 1800 + members in over 50 countries across 6 continents. Our mission is to decimate supply chain costs, improve product security and provenance, enhance consumer engagement, increase food safety and advance sustainability and recycling by better communication and information. AIPIA is the 'go to' organisation for the latest information on applications and smart packaging developments. 

AIPIA WORLD CONGRESS LINK

Contact:

Andrew Manly, Communications Director
andrew@aipia.info
Mobile: +31-(0)657-520 386

Smart Packaging for the Asia Pacific: How can Vietnam benefit from these technologies?

Press Release Agenda: ProPak Vietnam 9th November 2023

• 09.30: Welcome and Introduction by BT Tee, general director informamarkets Vietnam
• 09.40 Fluids & Liquids Packaging: Smart Solutions for a Sustainable Society –  Sealed Air Corporation
• Surendra Soni, Marketing Director, Asia-Pacific (Fluids, Adjacent Markets & Medical)
• 10.15: Battery-free, temperature-sensing RFID/NFC labels for smart packaging – Cleantech & Beyond
• Pichaya Pattanasattayavong, CEO & CTO
• 10.50: 3-Phase Activ-Polymer™ Material Science (Determining the Need for Active Packaging)
• Aptar Pharma
• Rajkiran​ Nayak, Senior Manager Market Development CSP India & SEA
• 11.25: Interactive packaging 3.0: Adding an interactive touch point to your packaging through connected labels/packaging
• Scantrust
• Dominik Nagiller, Manager Global R&D & Partnerships
• 12.05: Latest developments in Smart Packaging for Supply Chains and more in APAC
• AIPIA
• Andrew Manly, Communications Director, Active & Intelligent Packaging Industry Association
• 12.35: CLOSE

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AIPIA and World Packaging Organisation agree MoU to promote sustainable and smart packaging

PRESS RELEASE: September 2023

AIPIA, the Active & Intelligent Packaging Industry Association and WPO, the World Packaging Organisation have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to further their collaboration in sharing ideas on Smart Packaging and the science that underpins it. This will include WPO supporting AIPIA on the technology of material science, which is particularly important in active packaging. In turn AIPIA will support WPO’s agenda of encouraging sustainable and appropriate packaging innovation. 

The two organisations have already been cooperating at various events, including  ProPak and CPHi exhibitions in Asia, MENA and South Asia. They will endeavour to develop joint agendas wherever possible to further the creation of smart packaging solutions which meet the goals of the global industry and particular market needs. 

WPO President Pierre Pienaar welcomed the agreement and signing of the MoU, “Both organisations have been aware for some time that we share common goals and objectives and it is a logical next step to formalise these in a constructive and practical way. The two of us have a clear focus on our responsibility to the sector and the way packaging can be a solution, not a problem – as it is so often characterised today. Packaging for good is high on our agendas and we see this collaboration as a way to demonstrate these benefits in a very impactful way.”

Andrew Manly, communications director at AIPIA added, “WPO is the major global packaging organisation and has a strong profile in both the developed and developing world. It is a tremendous boost to the smart packaging sector to be able to join with WPO in promoting these technologies and helping to reinforce the Organisation’s agenda on sustainability, innovation and supply chain efficiency. We are particularly delighted to be able to tap into so many talented people, in particular Pierre’s tremendous knowledge of materials science.”

One outcome of the MoU could be the development of a defined WorldStar Award that involves Smart Packaging. “These Awards are the benchmark for global packaging innovation and are recognised as the Oscars of packaging. While some elements of smart packaging are included already in the various categories, we now see innovations appearing everywhere, APAC, MENA, China, South America as well as the more traditional markets of the Americas, Japan and Europe. So the time is right for a more formalised WorldStar Award, we believe,” continued Manly.

“This agreement adds strength and knowledge to both organisations, we look forward to working with AIPIA and ‘spreading the good word’ about packaging and its benefits across the globe,” concluded Pienaar.  

AIPIA brings events together to create united Congress on Smart Packaging in the Digital Age

Following consultation with its members AIPIA has taken the decision to move the online Supply Chain Congress, scheduled for 7th October to co-locate with the Digitization, Connected Packaging & Sustainability event on November 16th. The Supply Chain element will run as a distinct stream, but access will be available to all delegates registered on the day. Likewise those booked on the Supply Chain stream can access the other presentations, making it a more holistic event.

“We are finding more and more that people are struggling to make the time commitments now demanded to participate in a lot of separate on line events. So we have decided to revert to the formula used at our successful ‘live’ events in Amsterdam and offer a single event , but with separate themes covering specialized topics,” explained AIPIA managing director Eef de Ferrante.

“AIPIA has found many companies cannot commit resources to separate dates. Likewise potential delegates are reluctant to commit to two days and two fees, even when both topics are of interest. So it was clear that combining the events was the best choice. Moving the Supply Chain Congress gives us more time to fill out that stream, possibly even with a Brand Challenge and other Retailer/Brand Owner forum, and revert to our traditional time slot in November,” he added.

A Challenge for challenging times: One result of this move is that a major Brand Owner is considering to offer one of AIPIA’s unique Brand Challenges, where Members can pitch their Smart Packaging solutions at a particular project, or ‘pain point’ identified by the Brand. These are lively and very dynamic occasions, even in an on line format, as solutions providers get just 3 minutes to make their pitch! More on this Challenge as it develops.

“As delegates registered for both the Supply Chain Congress and Digitization Congress will have full access to all presentations in November, this offers better value and, we hope, a chance to see even more of the latest developments in Smart Packaging,” said De Ferrante.

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China’s Economic Charge Benefits from Smart Packaging Investment

With estimates showing China’s economy is set to grow more than 8 per cent in 2021 the clear message is that the country’s business is fully open again and accelerating. One important trend for 2021 relates to the desire of many companies to employ packaging more effectively, to share brand storytelling and product information, by incorporating key messages on the packaging.

To take full advantage of these opportunities AIPIA and its Representative in China, Prime Business Consulting, are organising a Smart Packaging Summit, as both a live and virtual event, on 23rd June in Shanghai. The Summit will be co-located with two major packaging events organised by informa markets, ProPak China and FoodPack China, at the National Exhibition Convention Center.

A key element in the development of Smart Packaging is to tap into the smartphone revolution, which is strongest in the APAC region and in China most particularly. As the most populous country in the world it should come as no surprise that China is home to the majority of smartphone users in Asia. There are over 851 million users there, which is 146 per cent more than second-placed India, while the United States comes in at 260 million users (figures Oberlo 2020). 

With so many people in China using these devices for so many purposes, the opportunities for Smart Packaging are huge. Connecting via QR, RFID/NFC tags or printed electronic Smart Labels is increasingly popular and easy, with or without an App. WeChat too has got into this market with several leading suppliers and retailers, including JD.com. Consumers want information about the product authenticity as well as to be able to take advantage of special offers and promotions.

Smart Packaging is also a critical weapon in the fight against counterfeiting and market diversion, which are major problems in China. These need to be addressed urgently if Brands exporting to the market are to feel confident about future investments, as well as Chinese Brands building a stronger reputation both domestically and internationally. In addition the rapid expansion of demand for Consumer Packaged Goods has led to pressure on supply chains which need to be more secure and managed more efficiently.

Wu Chao-Wu, CEO of Prime and Chief Representative of AIPIA China said, “The timing of the Smart Packaging Summit is ideal to take advantage of the resurging Chinese economy. The event has already attracted  the interest of many  leading Smart Packaging providers and several Brands - which operate here and export from here - have expressed the desire to attend.  We will shortly release a preliminary program, which will develop rapidly in the coming weeks.”

Eef de Ferrante, managing director of AIPIA added, “ It is exciting to get back to running a live event, as we have all missed the person to person contact and live demonstrations. China really is one of the key markets for Smart Packaging technologies as they fit so well with the market’s needs.” 

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Changing with the times, AIPIA’s event program strengthened for bigger impact

AIPIA, the Active & Intelligent Packaging Industry Association has made some changes to its previously announced 2021 Virtual Global Smart Packaging Program to deliver a stronger series and offer both delegates and speakers the high quality and high impact events they have come to expect from the Association, it says.

• The Supply Chain online Congress scheduled for May has been moved later in the year, to mid September.
• The Sustainability & Recycling event will now be co-located with the Digitization and Connected Packaging Congress and the date for this event will move slightly earlier, to 2nd November. This will enable these interconnected topics to be covered more efficiently and effectively, according to AIPIA.
• The China Congress, a hybrid virtual and live event in Shanghai, will now be two weeks later than originally planned. It is now taking place on 23rd June and will coincide and co-locate with the ProPak China and FoodPack China exhibitions.

“This will enable us to maximise our delegate potential for those able to attend and gives us access to the huge publicity and promotional programs around these shows,” said Wu Chao-Wu, Prime Consulting CEO & Chief Representative of AIPIA China.  “This will benefit both the real and virtual attendance as well as bringing more exposure to the speakers and companies exhibiting at the Congress,” he added.   

Commenting on the changes AIPIA’s Managing Director Eef de Ferrante explained, “We have learnt a lot from running our Virtual Congress last year and our India Summit last month. We took a look at the wider calendar and were confronted with a host of virtual events for the packaging sector in the Spring and Summer. This is very confusing to would-be delegates and potential participating companies and the effect is to reduce the impact and value of such conferences for everyone.”

“So we have decided to pause for a short time and really ensure that what we are offering is the Real Deal and the best we can provide in the virtual world we all now inhabit. We have built our reputation on providing high quality Smart Packing events with real B2B agendas and want that to continue. It is what our members and the delegates who support us expect,” he added.

“Lets be fair, we all want to get back to normal, however ‘new’ it is or not. We want to run live events as soon as possible, as people do business with people, not computer screens. But, until we can do that safely again, AIPIA is determined to run the best virtual events for the Smart Packaging sector, to keep building this industry, as we have always done, together,” de Ferrante ended.

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New chairman takes AIPIA forward into 2021

The Active & Intelligent Packaging Industry Association (AIPIA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Stéphane Piqué from Accenture as the new chair of its Advisory Board. He takes over from Dick de Koning of Packz who has held the post since 2015.

Based in Switzerland, Stéphane has spent the last five years leading Accenture’s Industry X practice in Switzerland and overall Industry X sales in Germany, Switzerland and Austria - driving the digital transformation of the industry. Stéphane is also leading the global Smart Packaging activities for Accenture. He offers advice and support to major clients in their digital transformation. He is also a guest lecturer in digital transformation at St Gallen University and is a member of Accenture’s Swiss Board of Management.

Commenting on his appointment, Stéphane said, “My passion is around technologies enabling the digital transformation which companies and our society are going through. The Digital Revolution has clearly started and will change everything around us. So l’m really excited and honoured to be asked to lead AIPIA’s Advisory Board at this time of huge transformation to digital solutions in the packaging sector, as well as enormous challenges posed by the pandemic.”

Managing director of AIPIA, Eef de Ferrante added, “We are delighted Stéphane has accepted the role, as he brings a truly global perspective to our activities, as well as in depth experience and understanding of the digital world developing around us. He is ideally placed to take us into the next decade of Smart Packaging expansion and the next phase of AIPIA’s development.”

“We would really like to thank Dick de Koning for his excellent service over the last five years. He has led us through a period of growth and development which has laid the foundation for our future. He has agreed to stay on the Board so will continue to contribute his undoubted expertise in Smart Packaging,” said de Ferrante.

HIGH RES PICTURE OF DICK DE KONING HERE

HIGH RES PIC OF STEPHANE PIQUE HERE

Published: January 6, 2021

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AIPIA opens offline exhibition hall at China Office-Shanghai

AIPIA China Office has successfully held six summits since its establishment in Shanghai in 2014. The China summit in 2019 broadened the business to the entire Asia region.

In 2020, global trade has been affected by the pandemic in many ways. In order to provide better services for our customers around the world and let everyone feel the lure of active and intelligent packaging more intuitively, AIPIA China decided to establish a permanent AIPIA China Exhibition and Conference Center in Wenzhou City, Zhejiang Province. The establishment of the exhibition and conference center provides AIPIA member companies with more opportunities to show their products and hold events in the whole APAC and Chinese area, and bring active and intelligent packaging much closer to everyone.

Some member companies of AIPIA China are intending to join the AIPIA China Exhibition and Conference Center. There are more than 1,600 members of AIPIA worldwide, representing the global presence of the active and intelligent packaging industry. Many companies in China and Asia have expressed interest in active and intelligent packaging technology. Why not come to see it here!

In addition, the AIPIA China office will host an online live broadcast event this year. This is a new way to communicate due to the coronavirus situation and try new channels to promote AIPIA business in China.  To achieve online interaction beyond regions, AIPIA members will be invited to join in the online live broadcast and give presentations.
If you would like to know more about AIPIA in China, or worldwide, please contact us: eef@aipia.info

• AIPIA / Prime Business Consulting Shanghai Co., Ltd.
  Mr. Wu Chao-Wu
  wu@primeshanghai.cn 

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IoP Journal becomes AIPIA’s media partner

Companies announce the partnership to improve information flows for the packaging industry about Smart Packaging activities before, during and after AIPIA events, starting with Virtual Congress, on Sep 10, 2020

IoP Journal, based in Brazil, and AIPIA (Active & Intelligent Packaging Industry Association), in the Netherlands have signed a Media Partnership Agreement aimed to give more visibility to AIPIA events and content produced by both parties, related to Smart Packaging, for selected markets. In this way, IoP Journal will keep its readers informed about what is happening in most areas of these technologies, including the Virtual Congress on 10th September 2020. IoP Journal, a pioneer journalism company aimed at the Smart Packaging industry, will cover all AIPIA events, publishing content in Portuguese, English and other languages. The content aims at the Brazilian market, but also at North America, Latin America and other parts of the globe. AIPIA will also publish content from IoP Journal on its website. IoP Journal will create an AIPIA Section in its websites.

The content produced by IoP Journal for AIPIA events will have different formats, including text and videos, focusing on educational subjects, to let more companies understand how the smart packaging market is growing and transforming. It will show how we will use more and more new technologies and concepts to manage brands and its consumer relationships.

Identifying and Tracking products is one fundamental step in this New Packaging World. There are also many other needs that can be addressed by the same technologies, such as Authenticition, Anti-Counterfeiting, Market Diversion, Reducing Food Waste and improved Shelf Life. Another important feature is Customer Engagement, which can be significantly increased by this technology. Last, but highly important, companies will be able to become more sustainable, making it more easy to reprocess packaging and combining this to the power of engaging increasing numbers of consumers to recycle more. IoP Journal’s weekly newsletters will also have AIPIA communications, involving banners to articles, always leting professionals and companies find what they need at IoP Journal and on the AIPIA website and covering its events.

“We are delighted to form this partnership with IoP Journal,” said Eef de Ferrante, managing director of AIPIA, “ It enables us to extend our reach and messages to a new audience and in a highly professional way, through this highly regarded journal. We look forward to increasing the Smart Packaging sector’s development through this agreement,” he added. Edson Perin, editor and founder of the IoP Journal, says that the agreement with AIPIA targets the development of the Smart Packaging Industry. “It is a great step for us to have this partnership with AIPIA, what we have in our objectives since we have started IoP Journal. It is not just a Media Partnership, but the construction of a tool that will help the market to move faster into the high-technology packaging industry”.

IoP Journal has already covered many AIPIA events from last year: the New Jersey Summit, in USA; passing next to the China Summit, in Shanghai; and, of course the World Congress, in Amsterdam, closing the year with a golden key!

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AIPIA World Congress, the only global Smart Packaging event, to go Virtual in 2020

Live Broadcasts, Brand Challenges, Technology Streams, One-to-One chats and Virtual Booths....

Following extensive consultation with the industry AIPIA, the Active & Intelligent Packaging Industry Association has decided that the 2020 World Congress will be run as a Virtual event, returning as a physical Congress in 2021. The date for AIPIA VC is September 10, 2020

Making the announcement AIPIA’s managing director Eef de Ferrante said, “We spoke to the industry’s leading players across every product and service and it was absolutely clear this was the right decision at this time. The world may soon be recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, but the effects on business activity will go on for some time. So we decided the Congress is just too important to be spoilt by these disruptions.”

“We have carefully researched various Virtual event technologies in a very short space of time and come up with a system which allows us to bring all the things you have come to expect from our Congress. So it will include live broadcast presentations, online booths, live Q&A with speakers, one-to-one chats with technology providers and a real Online Challenge,” he explained.

The Congress is, and continues to be, the only truly global event covering the entire sector. It is simply the most important place for networking and information exchange in the world of Smart Packaging. No other event allows delegates to see the Big Picture and meet so many Brands. This will continue in the Virtual event, so we come back even stronger, physically, in Amsterdam, 2021.

“Our Advisory Board, which l am privileged to lead, were absolutely clear that the AIPIA Congress is just too important, and must happen in a way which allows it to continue helping to shape the future direction of the industry we all belong to. AIPIA is integral to the future success of the Smart Packaging sector and l urge you to give it your full and absolute support in 2020. The Virtual Congress must come first in your agenda,” stated Dick de Koning, Chairman of AIPIA.

“This is a challenging time, but also an exciting one,” de Ferrante continued. “Many events have been cancelled or postponed and others are going to take the virtual route, so it will get crowded. But, l assure you, AIPIA Virtual Congress will be the best on offer for Smart Packaging practitioners and users. And it has the potential to reach a bigger ‘on line’ audience than ever, to add even more value for speakers, exhibitors and delegates. So making the choice on where to spend your budget is simple, we hope! ” he concluded.

Short explainer video click here: AIPIA Virtual Congress

More information: ask Eef de Ferrante, eef@aipia.info

Press contact: ask Andrew Manly, andrew@aipia.info