
Our anniversary is also an occasion to look back at our beginnings. The first issue of packaging journal was published 20 years ago with many topics, some of which are still relevant today. We spoke to the founder of the publishing house, Elke Latuperisa, and took a look at the first issue.
Until 2002, Cologne-based ella Verlag specialised in tourism topics with the travel magazine „Reisen exclusiv“, the insider tip supplier for the Dutch „Duitsland Magazine“ and the consumer magazine „Weihnachtsmarkt“. A packaging magazine was therefore a real outlier in the company's portfolio. „We launched packaging journal back then because another publishing house was selling a packaging title at the time,“ explains founder Elke Latuperisa. „We replaced the title with packaging journal - with the professional help of an editor who knew the industry well."
It was a bold move at a time „when more magazines had to be discontinued due to falling advertising revenues than new titles were being launched,“ wrote the then editor-in-chief in his first editorial. However, the first issue proves that it is possible to launch a trade magazine even in the economically difficult year 2002.

packaging journal was the first German trade magazine to publish each article with an English-language summary. „This was our service, especially for non-German-speaking trade fair visitors, who we wanted to arouse interest in the exhibiting companies and their products in this way.“ Since the beginning of 2022, the summaries have been replaced by complete English-language articles, which can be accessed via a QR code in the magazine that leads to a separate English-language section of the website. The readership is already enthusiastic.
A look at the first issue
Issue one already dealt with innovative labelling solutions, barrier materials, the opening of a recycling plant for PET bottles, packaging design and market data, for example from the Folding Carton Industry Association. However, the focus was different: Labels with metallic effects or relief printing were in demand at the time, as were multilayer hybrid solutions made of plastic and cardboard or wafer-thin polymer coatings that were intended to make cardboard boxes suitable for use as packaging for sensitive foodstuffs.
However, one key topic that dominates today's reporting was completely absent: sustainability. Only futurologist Matthias Horx used the term in an article entitled „The dawn of the human touch era“. In it, the trend researcher sees the humanisation of technology as the main trend in the technological development of the 21st century. Taming modern technologies and adapting them to human needs and possibilities is the core challenge and a great opportunity for intelligent, smart companies. However, smart technologies must observe the principle of sustainability by leaving no undesirable consequences for the environment, psyche or body. A statement that is still relevant today.
On the move in all channels
The print edition has long since become just one part of the portfolio. Since Jennifer Latuperisa-Andresen took over ella Verlag from her mother in mid-2019 and Jan Malte Andresen became the new editor-in-chief of packaging journal, the digital offering has been continuously expanded and new formats added. For example, the editorial team provides the industry with daily online news, not only on its own website, but also on Facebook, Twitter, Xing and very successfully with around 15,000 followers on LinkedIn.
packaging journal was the first packaging magazine to report regularly with moving images, from the TV magazine to discussions with industry experts such as Gunda Rachut (Central Agency Packaging Register), Jörg Deppmeyer (Dual System Germany), Rüdiger Goetz (Peter Schmidt Group) or Kim Cheng (German Packaging Institute) through to Panel discussions with representatives from industry and associations on topics such as sustainability, the circular economy and plastics - live and later available at any time on the website and at LinkedIn. As a co-operation partner of Messe Düsseldorf, packaging journal also provides all the articles for the interpack magazine Tightly Packed and is already in the midst of preparations for the big trade fair live TV show next May.
„It took a long time for the packaging journal to become established in the industry,“ summarises Elke Latuperisa. „But I've never started a project and then given up again.“ Perseverance that has paid off.
Further news from the companies


Lidl unveils the Trolley Bag: transport packaging without wheels

Norske Skog examines kraftliner production in Saugbrugs

New PET film line launched in Wiesbaden

Mondi closes plants in Europe



