BRANDS & MARKETS: Consumers, Brands, Brand Owners, Marketing, Markets, Consumer Research, Studies, Reports relating to cartons and cartonboard.

From the Editor’s desk:

We’re trying to make the content of the newsletter different from the information that’s already on the website and more “chatty” in style, we do hope you find it interesting as well as informative. As you will have seen, we are supplementing the newsletter with various other short communications, either a Newsflash, if it’s something we need to get out to our members quickly, or a Bulletin, if it’s a more general update.

Round Table discussion with Roland Rex (President Pro Carton) and Andreas Blaschke (President ECMA)

What are your expectations for your industries over the next 12 months? RR - All indicators for private consumption are positive in Europe so the demand for FMCG packaging will grow. This will help to fill some of the spare production capacities. Changing shopping behaviour to a diversified omni-channel shopping environment and digitalization will both create new opportunities. I feel that industry consolidation will help create stronger, more cost efficient and innovative businesses which can fulfil our customers’ requirements and, importantly, be profitable. AB – Volume should be good over the next year as the economy is picking up. Margins, however, remain under pressure since raw material prices are up and hard to recover. I don’t expect to see much further consolidation or largescale rationalisation in the short term as many companies have been through a period of change which is often followed by a period of integration and stability.

New Study: The Importance of Sustainability in Packaging

A new independent study from Smithers Pira, commissioned by Pro Carton, amongst major brand owners and retailers in 5 key European markets has shown resounding evidence of the importance of sustainability in packaging. Folding cartons were perceived as the most sustainable packaging but there is still some confusion about the whole issue of the circular economy and what makes packaging sustainable.

Commentary from the new General Manager

One of the key roles of Pro Carton is to promote the benefits of cartons & cartonboard and we could hardly have better environmental credentials. I believe however that we need to be more outspoken in communicating our message to all our key target markets. Last year we started a new PR campaign in Germany based around the principle “Cartons don’t create plastic waste” which gained a lot of media coverage. It’s this sort of slightly more provocative message that I believe we need to get across.

Getting generations to connect

Today, five different generations meet at the workplace: If they can be networked systematically, this could result in enormous opportunities.

Sensory packaging

In a recent presentation in Vienna, brand consultant Prof. Dr. Karsten Kilian had the following to say about brand management: a focus on more than one of the senses, allows for successful differentiation from competitors.

Cartons support the Circular Economy

Carton packaging industry leads in terms of sustainability – as highlighted in the recent EU debate on the circular economy.

More for the money

One of Europe's leading designers, is of the opinion: you can achieve more with good packaging than with a TV commercial.

Sustainability drives sales

Sustainability generates up to 13 per cent of sales in terms of explanatory content. This is confirmed by a new study conducted by Serviceplan Corporate Reputation communication agency.

Fine spirits on the Internet?

The packaging industry is in flux. New distribution channels need new packing concepts.

Smart does it

Peter Aldous is Creative Service Director at Elmwood in London. Pro Carton talked to him about trends in packaging and sustainability.

Marketing high in the skies

New catering and retailing concepts in the skies require new marketing concepts.