The packaging stories and trends to follow in 2024

The rise of AI

What can AI do for you? It can support technological advancements, logistics and production (operations optimisation), sorting materials in waste streams, marketing campaigns, recycling, sustainability, robotics, connecting supply chains, and boosting inspection performance to name a few.

The possibilities of AI technology seem endless, AI will leave its mark in every industry one way or another. Those who fail to adapt risk falling behind in this ever-evolving industry.

With the packaging industry putting ever more importance on data learning and transparency, AI has the power to open our eyes and support us in streamlining and improving our current models, beyond our capabilities as humans. Libby Munford, Editor

Reusability

2024 may finally see the industry making some headway in the establishment of viable reuse schemes, hopefully to be brought about by the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) legislations.

The ideas and the enabling technologies are clearly there, but there is a strong caveat: reuse and refill is still in its infancy and we are yet to see any initiatives achieve success on a wider scale.

What is needed in the coming year – and what has been largely lacking to date – is the collaboration of global policymakers, manufacturers, supply chain members and retailers, not to mention a willingness on the part of consumers to adapt their behaviour.

This being the case, it’s of course hard to predict with certainty how much progress will be made in reuse in the coming year. But after many, many conversations among experts, policymakers, and stakeholders we now at least have an idea of how to get there. Victoria Hattersley, Senior Writer

Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation

The European Parliament has voted on and adopted the Regulation with 426 votes in favour, 125 against, and 74 abstentions. The Committee on Environment has introduced a series of Compromise Amendments to fill gaps, and both the European Parliament and Council have established their positions for trialogue negotiations coming in January 2024.

With mixed reactions on both positions, it remains unclear whether the final draft will be widely accepted.

In any case, laws will be passed, responses will follow, and Packaging Europe will keep on top of the latest news! Emma Liggins, Junior Journalist