It's an unusual Christmas 2020. Behind us lies a year that can actually go away. Ahead of us is a year full of hopes and new challenges. A few words from our packaging journal TV presenter on Christmas and the New Year.
"Corona pandemic" is the word of the year 2020!
Who would have thought it?
There is no doubt that the jury of the Society for the German Language did what was expected of her. Finding a word - actually two words - that "a dominant theme for almost the entire year" describes it.
So congratulations, you've done everything right! Even if the surprise effect of this decision lies in the low incidence value. If the jury had opted for "hybrid lessons", "hoarding", "toilet paper", "everyday mask" or "AHA rule" instead, it would at least have provided some entertainment value.
If it had been up to us, she would of course have the beautiful word "packaging" chosen. A word that sounds like a blister pack to our ears - after all, packaging is our daily business. Even and especially during this pandemic. I don't need to tell you that packaging is systemically relevant and has regained importance.
Nevertheless, there is this other word that - not only, but especially in our industry - was at least as important and dominant as the pandemic: "Sustainability"!
Even though sugar, butter and jam are once again being packaged in individual portions and consumers are increasingly opting for hygienically sealed products, they are taking an increasingly critical view of conventional packaging.
A study by the Inverto management consultancy has revealed: Three quarters of packaging manufacturers now attach great importance to sustainable packaging. 86 per cent assume that demand will continue to rise in the coming years. Retailers and manufacturers already estimate the proportion of sustainable packaging in their companies at around 25 per cent.
This proves how innovative the packaging industry is and how flexibly it can deal with social changes and necessities.
We at packaging journal will continue to follow this development. To this end, this year we have created the new section "Green Packaging" in our online pages. A point of honour, after all we are "the green" among the packaging magazines.
With packaging journal TV we have also played our part in dealing creatively with the crisis. With success. The 16th edition of our video format has now been published and is enjoying a steady increase in popularity. growing click and viewer numbers. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you very much for this.
I hope that you have made your way through these turbulent times in a similarly creative, versatile and - depending on the circumstances - successful manner. May this continue to be the case.
Enjoy a relaxing Christmas in - this time literally - the closest (!) circle of your loved ones. Gather strength for what is yet to come. We will all need it.
Sincerely
Yours, Jan Malte Andresen
