Constantia Flexibles: ‘Current megatrends are affecting the development of packaging tech’

Speaking at Interpack 2017, Alexander Baumgartner, CEO Constantia Flexibles, said by 2050, it is estimated around 70% of the world’s population will live in cities. City dwellers are more likely to buy convenience products from supermarkets and don’t have a lot of space to store their purchases.

Spout pouches for drinking yogurts

As a result, packaging that does not take up much space and can be easily transported is becoming more important.

“For example, there is increasing demand for on-the-go formats such as spout pouches for drinking yogurts, which are convenient for single usage and provide excellent protection against moisture, oxygen and light​,” he added.

“In today’s globalized world, it’s possible for companies to sell their products just about anywhere. This has led to ever-greater competition between multinational brands​.

“Packaging plays a key role in the consumer’s decision to purchase one brand over another. This means packaging must not only have a high quality and be convenient, but communicate the brand message and differentiate the product from the competition​.”

Baumgartner said Coca-Cola’s ‘Christmas Bow’ label is a good example of a successful packaging product. Consumers could transform the special edition label into a festive bow, giving the Coca-Cola brand a unique selling point.

Demographic change

“Demographic change will continue to be a megatrend over the coming decades. Aging populations are becoming more prevalent, particularly in industrialized Western countries, with an increasing number of people over the age of 50​,” he added.

Constantia Flexibles has created products to meet the needs of older generations such as Spear Seal, a recloseable self-sticking labeling system for cheese slices, for example.

At the same time, Baumgartner said birth rates are decreasing, fewer people are starting families, and the number of single-person households is on the rise.

“These trends have led to demand for smaller food portions and packaging that ensures a long shelf life. Constantia Flexibles manufactures several products that meet these requirements, such as the Alufoil container systems, for maximum shelf life and ideal for ready-made meals and desserts,”​ he added.

The fourth megatrend influencing product development is sustainability.

Reducing CO₂​ emissions

Constantia Flexibles claims it has committed itself to reducing its CO₂​ emissions (per square meter output) by 40% by 2023.

Various measures will be used to achieve this goal, including the reduction of packaging materials, the development of new specifications and the use of recyclable materials.

The SpearRC Recycling Compatible labels for PET bottles and mono-polymer laminates for various applications are just two examples of its sustainable packaging technology.