MMK on location – the most important industry events in the 3rd quarter of 2018

This year’s ECMA Congress (European Carton Makers Association) in the Latvian capital of Riga, was held under the banner “Thinking Beyond the Board, Performance in a Changing Market”. The clear focus lay on the topics of sustainability and new technologies.  

Awareness of the environment is increasing with consumers, the trade and in companies. As well as the appearance, protective function and price of the packaging material, its ability to be recycled and to degrade biologically is assuming a higher and higher status – people’s consciences influence the purchasing decision. At a European level, legislators are setting the stage for greater sustainability. Cartonboard has a natural advantage here, and the challenge is to communicate if effectively. The presentation by Maria Westerbos, founder of the Plastic Soap Foundation, one of the leading stakeholders in the fight against plastic pollution, provided much food for thought. The current debate about the pollution of the world’s oceans with plastic will lead to materials being replaced by cartonboard. The Directive planned by the EU Commission on single-use plastic products will lend additional impetus to the trend. 

Many further presentations described sustainable growth strategies based on the renewable, recyclable and biologically degradable packaging material of cartonboard. Ian Schofield, Iceland Foods, explained how the British supermarket chain intends to shape its future free of plastic packaging. The target set is to replace plastic packaging for all own-brand products with sustainable alternatives by the end of 2023. “Consumers’ reactions to this decision have been overwhelming”, says Schofield. Stuart Goldsmith and Duncan Bond, Nomad Foods Europe, emphasised that minimising waste and the sustainable handling of resources were top priorities which would dominate the agenda in the future.

The effects of digital transformation on the future of the packaging sector were also explored at the ECMA Congress. With the launch of our TÜV-certified sales and service channel MMK digital, MM Karton is also a pioneer when it comes to technology. 

The presentation of the European Carton Excellence Award was the ceremonial highlight of the event. We congratulate the winners once again.

FachPack once again underlined its significance as the most important packaging trade fair for German-speaking markets. Under the motto “Tomorrow begins when you create it”, the focus was on future developments and opportunities in the packaging industry. Discussions among the roughly 40,000 trade visitors were dominated by the subject of sustainability and the replacement of non-sustainable packaging in favour of recyclable packaging solutions. 

On MM’s stand, too, we could perceive the growing interest both of the branded goods industry and the retail trade in sustainable packaging. Barrier solutions made of cartonboard represent a natural alternative to much existing plastic packaging, and they were heavily in demand. For example, cartonboard with a grease barrier prevents annoying grease stains and the discolouration of packaging while cartonboard with a moisture barrier is ideal for frozen products, and environmentally-friendly barrier solutions prevent the migration of mineral oil – replacements are feasible in many areas. 

Groundbreaking content was presented at the PackBox forum which accompanied the fair. Danijela Jovic, MMK Project Manager Digital Business, stood out with her presentation on the innovative aspects of our new platform MMK digital which takes business relationships with customers to a new level – at the touch of a button.