Pro Carton: Innovation sets cartonboard aside from other packaging materials

Innovation is a key differentiator for cartonboard compared to other materials used for packaging, according to Roland Rex (pictured, left), president of Pro Carton, the European Association of Carton and Cartonboard manufacturers.
 
Speaking ahead of April’s Pro Carton Congress Rex said: ‘Packaging made of cartonboard is distinguished by permanent innovation in a number of application fields.
 
‘The drivers for innovative carton packaging come from all areas. On the one hand there are the cartonboard manufacturers who continue to launch improved or new qualities, and on the other, the converters who present new applications or solutions to market requirements as a result of creativity, technical expertise and innovative thinking.’

'This shows that the carton packaging supply chain does indeed work for the benefit of customers and the protection of our planet'

 
Rex addressed a number of other topics, including ink migration, on which he said: ‘The innovative strength of our industry was able to provide carton solutions for safe food packaging within a short space of time, for example, the cartonboard manufacturers with in-line barrier layers, but also the converters by applying specific Good Manufacturing Practice. This shows that the carton packaging supply chain does indeed work for the benefit of customers and the protection of our planet.’
 
Packaging’s role in a digital world was another topic Rex touched on. This will be the overall theme of the next Pro Carton Congress, taking place April 18-19 in Düsseldorf, Germany, leading him to suggest: ‘Cartons offer unique opportunities for providing digital information in the growing link with packaging. This is why Pro Carton will be focusing on the topic Packaging in a Digital World at this year's congress.
 
‘The question as to the marketing value of packaging will also be answered there when the results of a study commissioned by Pro Carton at the end of last year will be presented. The markets change, cartons change with the market and keep gaining significance and market share due to their incomparable adaptability.’
 

‘Consumer spending remains unfaltering, at least for products of daily use'

Overall, Rex is confident on the future of the market, and said: ‘Everyone concerned with forecasting economic development in Europe is having difficulties at present. There are many indicators that would suggest that the economies have again become somewhat sluggish in the core countries, but consumers seem to have a different opinion.
 
‘Consumer spending remains unfaltering, at least for products of daily use. If anything, price-consciousness stands out, but this is a trend we have already observed over the past years.

‘Now that the value chain for cartonboard packaging has returned to normal, the influx of orders and sales has reached a stable state of affairs for both cartonboard manufacturers and converters. Nonetheless, some areas will have to deal with specific challenges during the coming weeks and months: be it undesirable migration of printing inks into foods, or plain packaging for cigarettes.’

To register for the next Pro Carton Congress, click here