Uwe Melichar is an expert in packaging design. In the podcast interview, he provides insights into his experiences with design and emphasises how important it is for packaging to be aesthetic as well as functional and sustainable.
Episode 23: Balancing act packaging
For Uwe Melichar, sustainability and environmentally friendly packaging continue to be hot topics for the packaging industry. But there are other trends and challenges for the industry. In an interview with packaging people, the packaging design expert provides insights into his experiences with design and emphasises how important it is for packaging to be aesthetic as well as functional and sustainable.
Focus on sustainable materials
I am particularly fascinated by fibre form. It not only offers many possibilities in the classic egg carton shape, but is now used in new processes.
Sustainable materials are a key topic for Uwe Melichar. This includes, for example, fibre form, which is used in technologies such as papier-mâché or injection moulding. „I'm particularly fascinated by fibre form,“ says Melichar. „It not only offers many possibilities in the classic egg carton form, but is now being used in new processes.“ But he also sees challenges: „If you try to make a bottle out of paper, for example, it doesn't just work like that. You need a barrier of some kind, and often there is plastic underneath.“
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Reusable packaging: Opportunities and challenges
When it comes to reusable packaging, Uwe Melichar emphasises that it makes sense in many cases. „Reusable packaging often makes sense, but it's not always the best solution,“ he emphasises. Decisive factors include transport distances and the effort involved in cleaning. „It really depends on how much effort it takes to clean and refill something. Only when these factors are in balance does reuse really make sense.“
One example he cites is a reusable shipping carton system that can be used up to five times: „The advantage is that we have a network of return points where the cartons are collected, cleaned and then put back into circulation. This allows us to reduce transport routes and minimise our ecological footprint.“
There are clear guidelines on how large or heavy packaging may be in relation to the contents
Balancing act
For Melichar, it is crucial that packaging is not only sustainable, but also fulfils its main task: product protection. „Packaging must protect the product - that is its first and most important task. Whether I'm packaging a pair of Nike shoes or slices of cheese, the requirements are completely different,“ he explains. This is where he sees the biggest challenge for sustainable packaging solutions: finding the balance between ecological goals and functionality.
Political guidelines also play a role. „There are clear guidelines on how large or heavy packaging can be in relation to the contents,“ says Melichar, referring to the requirements to optimise packaging. „These are important guidelines, because every packaging saving reduces material consumption and therefore contributes to sustainability.“