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Start of the Dresden Packaging Conference

Decision-makers and project managers from industry, science and research once again came together at the German Packaging Institute's Dresden Packaging Conference to mark the now traditional end of the year for the packaging industry.

The 33rd edition of the Dresden Packaging Conference was sold out: Only very few seats were left empty when the event was opened in Dresden's Dreikönigskirche church under the motto „Packaging between regulation and new beginnings with intelligence” by moderators Kim Cheng, Managing Director of Deutsches Verpackungsinstitut e. V., and Julia Paul, editor at packaging journal. Decision-makers and project managers from industry, science and research once again came together for the now traditional end-of-year event for the packaging industry.

From the very beginning, the organisers have attached great importance to a format that combines tradition and modernity, a dialogue platform for all stakeholders for brands, retailers and waste management companies as well as for students and representatives of start-ups. The Dresden Packaging Conference traditionally also offers the Opportunity for initial contact between packaging professionals and the next generation of students. In times of a shortage of skilled labour, companies could find their employees of tomorrow today.

Photographer: André Wagenzik, Dresdner Verpackungstagung, Deutsches Verpackungsinstitut e. V.

Sustainability and technology

Here is a first brief summary focussing on three remarkable highlights of the first day of the event:

With a convincing opening presentation entitled „Threat or opportunity - What do the European regulations mean for packaging?“, Sonja Bähr, Packaging Analyst at Tilisco GmbH, was able to capture the attention of everyone in the room. She „got involved“ in categorising the latest developments and aspects at a time when it was not yet foreseeable how short-term and extensive the changes would be. She summarised pragmatic approaches in the Parliament's proposals and explained the requirements derived from the use of recyclates in plastic packaging, their evaluation or the minimum standard, with consequences for action. Hats off to her for this clear and committed speech: packaging is increasingly in the area of conflict between sustainability as a legal obligation, technical requirements and their tasks as a marketing tool. Companies should prepare at an early stage for how PPWR and EcoFee modulation or EPR could affect the company's specific projects.

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(Image: Tilisco)

Once again, Schubert's commitment and potential with regard to sustainable corporate principles were impressive. Ralf Schubert, Managing Director of Gerhard Schubert GmbH, presented convincingly different approaches based on the Mission Blue vision of the packaging machine manufacturer. In addition to a significant reduction in power consumption, this also includes web planning with AI, the comprehensive utilisation of the possibilities of additive manufacturing, the elimination of shrink film and concept studies, for example for the replacement of plastic trays and blisters as well as hybrid packaging with barrier properties. The new requirements require machine builders to break completely new ground: the presentation concluded with the thesis that new generations of machines will also score highly in terms of versatility and reduced complexity at the base, in contrast to the previous demand for ever greater flexibility. This prompted a lively discussion.

(Image: Schubert)

Special attention was also paid to the final, ambitious presentation by Andre Schult, founder and CEO of Peerox GmbH. What was actually behind the topic of “Shortening the familiarisation time of employees in production through innovative knowledge management“? The „engineer with heart and soul“ described the process in a very entertaining and striking way. Development process of a self-learning assistance system that also incorporates empirical knowledge. Unfortunately, it is precisely this experience that is currently being lost more and more as a result of demographic change and high staff turnover and is also a basic requirement in highly automated production and packaging companies. Today, Maddox is a marketable product that can not only achieve a significant reduction in familiarisation time, but also increases efficiency in production and offers highly qualified data acquisition: Knowledge management rethought - AI sends its regards. References from well-known companies are available.

The programme was densely packed, informative and practically orientated, encouraged questioning and discussion. Overall, the networking platform was used openly and actively by the participants. As a result, every participant was able to take a variety of suggestions and new insights with them to the evening event.

Digitalisation and innovation

The second day also promises interesting content and a stimulating basis for discussion. In addition to insights into knowledge transfer in the print and media industry with the help of artificial intelligence and the Cardboard packaging and artificial intelligence approaches and practicable ways of implementing the required reusable quotas, for example. New materials for the circular economy and sustainability will also take centre stage.

To be continued ...

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