Despite a slight economic slowdown and generally pessimistic forecasts, 2019 was a good financial year for Bobst. The company intends to present its visions for the packaging industry at drupa 2020.
The need for more automationThe development of a new product range in order to bring products to market faster and adapt them better to customer-specific requirements has been a constant topic in discussions with customers - both with brand manufacturers and packaging manufacturers. In addition sustainability is playing an increasingly important role and is today an essential Factor in the design of packaging in terms of shape, materials, colours, sustainability and costs.
Outlook for the year 2020
With Looking ahead to 2020 the company expects that the Folding carton and corrugated board market will focus on improvements in prepress and colour management, the complete digitalisation of work processes and more robotics and automation to make its packaging production more agile. It is assumed that Flexo technology is penetrating new areas (e.g. high print quality, quality control and shorter runs), which make more digitisation and a higher degree of automation possible. With a new Competence Centre Bobst has made significant investments for the corrugated board industry in order to expand its leading position in corrugated board production. It will go into operation in 2020.
The outlook for 2020 also suggests an increase in Interest in the production of sustainable flexible packaging expect. It is expected that some plastic-based packaging will be replaced by folding cartons and other packaging will be made from thinner, newly developed flexible materials. The trend towards replacing non-recyclable packaging made from composite materials, which are manufactured from different materials, with Recyclable alternatives made from monomaterials The need to replace waste will increase significantly. Bobst will therefore continue to work with partners to develop innovative solutions to help brand owners fulfil their commitments to improve recyclability.
Redefining the production chain
Further forecasts: The demand for printing applications and processes with water-based and EB printing inks will increase. The labelling market is continuing to develop in the direction of complete digitalisation and more refinement. Printing with a fixed colour set will be increasingly used, which will make working with spot colours less critical in future.
Finally, the year 2020 will be characterised by drupa, where Bobst will present its Vision for the packaging industry wants to present. The company is convinced that the entire production chain according to Industry 4.0 criteria must be redefined. Packaging manufacturers will focus more and more on connectivity, digitalisation and automation in their plants - which will have an impact on machines, processes and people.
Source: Bobst
