FMN | March 1st, 2021

FMN | March 1st, 2021

Vol. 23 No. 5 An N.V. Publication Market News FLEX Serving The Flexographic Printing Industry For More Than Two Decades ®

March 1, 2021

The Shift In Consumer Attitudes

FTA Moves FORUM To Virtual Events FTA has announced a change of venue for its FORUM & INFOFLEX 2021. Previously scheduled as hybrid events—both in-person and virtual— they will now take place solely in a virtual environment. The decision comes following a careful review of the present and forecasted pandemic environment, as well as months of discussions with FTA members, FORUM speakers and INFOFLEX exhibitors. Beyond its two tentpole technical conferences, FTA organized and pro- vided virtual events to its members and non-members on a frequent basis last year. “Between Membernars, FLEXO Tech Talks, sustainability webinars and other online gatherings, our As- sociation held more than two dozen virtual events in 2020—on average, one every other week,” noted FTA Vice President Brad Pareso. Additional details, including new dates for FORUM & INFOFLEX 2021 and a revised schedule for both events, will be coming soon.

by Greg Kishbaugh

A t this point, there is little question that Covid fatigue has reached epic proportions. It has so consumed our everyday lives for so long, it is now hard to remember a time before the pandemic began.With vaccines available and numbers finally de-

clining, it is time to appreciate what we have collectively been through, but it is equally important to not underestimate how much change still lies ahead. The long-term effects of the pan- demic will undoubtedly continue to effect packaging and print- ing for years to come and will forever alter some of the ways in which consumers interact with brands. To gain a better understanding of the pandemic’s reach, DS Smith recently recruited consumer research company Ipsos MORI to see how, if any, consumer attitudes toward packaging have changed.A clear concern as the pandemic began was the possibility of this global upheaval would lesson consumers’ con- cerns about the environment. But study after study have shown that this is not the case.

For exclusive content and breaking news visit

(Cont’d on Page 3)

www.FlexoMarketNews.com

Experience the power of SWED/CUT ®

Columbus, OH - Booth #854

“Any defect, any mid-run press stop, can entirely eliminate margin from a job. As QA Manager, it is up to me to prevent waste before it happens. That’s why I rely on FLXON’s products and support

to gain our competitive advantage. ” QA Manager, Wide Web Pressroom

SWED/CUT ® PERFORMANCE DOCTOR BLADES

Meter More Precisely Print Cleaner Dots Longer Protect Anilox Investment Avoid Mid-run Press Stops Experience No Break-in Time Receive Fewer Customer Complaints Reduce Your Annual Doctor Blade Spend

FLXON INCORPORATED 8531 Crown Crescent Court, Charlotte, NC 28227 (800) 756-6474 I (704) 844-2434 I [email protected] ASK ABOUT OUR 100% SATISFACTION GUARANTEE!

www.flxon.com

Consumer Attitudes (Cont’d from Page 1)

Existing research shows sustainability issues contin- ue to be considered as serious as the COVID-19 pan- demic, and now DS Smith’s latest research suggests a similar trend. Despite changing shopping habits, consumers con- tinue to prioritize sustainable packaging, and it con-

tinues to be an opportunity for competitive advantage and to drive sales. The study also found the pandemic has not dimin- ished nor impacted the willingness of consumers to take positive action on sustainable packaging. In fact, it has marginally increased. Cost associated with sustainable choices may contin-

(Cont’d on Page 5)

Designed with input from HP Indigo experts, our Parts Washer (model number A-44213-A) was created specifically to clean parts from HP Indigo digital presses. It speeds productivity through an extra long flush hose for direct hands-free flushing of press parts. The Graymills abrasive resistant pump, twin filtration system, and rugged power-coated steel construction are up to the challenge of cleaning with imaging oil. DOES AN HP INDIGO NEED ITS OWN PARTS WASHER? They Thought So.

Flexo Market News March 1, 2021 3

www.nvpublications.com

Mondi Partners With United Nations

Get your company in front of the flexo industry’s key decisionmakers. Flexo Market News’ readership is comprised of Presidents, Owners, VPs and General Managers of flexo operations — the key people who make decisions on equipment purchases. An ad in Flexo Market News is a direct sales meeting with thousands of the industry’s best thinkers and most influental leaders. Reach Owners, President, VPs and General Managers The Top Minds In The Flexo Industry Are Waiting To Hear From You

Mondi Group,a global packaging and paper company, has committed to a three-year strategic partnership to support the United Nations World Food Programme’s (WFP’s) efforts to change lives around the globe. The collaboration will see Mondi make a $1 million in-kind and financial contribution to help WFP im- prove how it delivers nutritious food over a complex humanitarian supply chain, with an aim to reduce food waste and mitigate the impact of packaging on the environment. The partnership will draw on the infrastructure and expertise from Mondi’s corrugated packaging, paper bags and consumer flexibles businesses. Over the next three years, the goal is to develop effective guidance for WFP’s global network of food manufacturers and local suppliers as well as for the wider humanitarian community. Ultimately, the part- nership aims to design and develop more sustainable packaging to better protect food and maintain its qual- ity as it is subject to a wide variety of storage, transport and handling challenges in different climates. “One-third of the world’s food is currently wasted each year.,” said Andrew King, Group CEO of Mondi. “That’s enough food to feed 2 billion people, the equiv- alent populations of Africa and Europe combined. ” N.A. Flexible Packaging Market Valued At $40.14B The North American flexible packaging market was valued at $40.14 billion in 2020 and is expected to reach $48.39 billion by 2026 growing at a CAGR of 3.16 percent over the forecast period (2021-2026), ac- cording to a new report by Research & Markets. The growing market demand for customer-friendly packag- es and heightened product protection is expected to boost flexible packaging as a viable and cost-effective substitute. Flexible packaging in North America is rising faster than many other forms. It includes trends, like e-com- merce, digital printing, and sustainability,which can be used to drive market development and growth. Cus- tomers in the region are eager to pay more for certain product attributes boosted by flexible packaging, ac- cording to the report. For instance, according to the Flexible Packaging Association, more than 60 percent of North American consumers are keen to pay more for tangible and func- tional packaging benefits, such as product protection, shipping friendly, and supply chain efficacy, among others.

To boost your market presence contact:

Greg Kishbaugh / 317-306-1060 / [email protected]

Robyn Smith / 910-553-4055 / [email protected]

4 March 1, 2021 Flexo Market News

www.nvpublications.com

Consumer Attitudes (Cont’d from Page 3) ue to rise, and it will be incumbent upon packaging producers to remove barriers to consumers making sustainable packaging choices. Research shows the most important packaging relat- ed themes overall are products being ‘in the minimum

nilox

When your anilox roll arrives for reconditioning, we perform a multi-point inspection to ensure we understand the scope of work to be done to meet OEM specications before we prepare the roll for repair.

#QualityInEveryRoll

Take a virtual walk through our production process!Visit our YouTube channel: Pamarco Inc.

Follow Us

amount of packaging’, ‘packaged in recyclable materi- als’ and ‘produced in a way that has low impact on the environment’. Forty-three percent of adults in the survey said that

www.pamarco. com i nfo@pamarco. com

(Cont’d on Page 7)

Flexo Market News March 1, 2021 5

www.nvpublications.com

Consumer Research High- lights Packaging Frustrations How attitudes to packaging and its functionality have changed over the past seven years, based on a detailed survey of 1,000 UK consumers, is the subject of a new White Paper from packaging tapes provider Essentra Tapes. While the survey showed a 15 percent decrease in consumer packaging frustrations during this time, at 70 percent the figure remained high, with difficul- ty in opening packs still a major concern among re- spondents. However, environmental concerns and the huge growth of e-commerce have had a significant in- fluence on consumer opinions, and overpackaging is now seen as the number one frustration. Not surprisingly, the Covid-19 pandemic has also had an impact, with the hygienic benefits of packaging be- coming more important. Age was still a key factor, and the research confirmed that ease of access continued to be a particular prob- lem for consumers more than 55-years-old.Access was also the deciding factor behind consumers’ most and least favorite pack styles. The three most frustrating packs all lacked opening devices with the hard plastic clamshell retaining its top spot from 2013, while juice cartons with screw caps and cans with ring pulls were the number one and two most pleasing packs. In addition, consumers highlighted the importance of sustainability within packaging and ranked recy- clability as their number one issue. Packs that are easy to recycle are what consumers care about and providing simple, clear instructions and the neces- sary infrastructure to help with this is key. It also ap- pears that consumers are starting to expect packs to be designed to be more sustainable, with only a third saying they would be prepared to pay more for sus- tainable packaging. Key findings from the survey included: • Too much packaging is now the number one frus- tration with 58 percent of consumers highlighting this issue, an increase from 49 percent in 2013. • 57 percent of those surveyed cited ‘Difficult to open’ as their top frustration and 48 percent said that they had to use knives or other tools to get into packs. This compares to 61 percent and 69 percent in 2013. • 56 percent of respondents said there was too much packaging in home delivered goods and 40 percent highlighted the amount of waste this generates. • More than 50 percent of consumers are very or extremely concerned about the hygiene of goods in supermarkets and takeaway food deliveries as a result of the pandemic.

6 March 1, 2021 Flexo Market News

www.nvpublications.com

Consumer Attitudes (Cont’d from Page 5)

‘the minimum amount of packaging’ is important (with higher than average scores seen across the UK, Germa- ny and Belgium). This is followed by 41 percent stating ‘packaged in recyclable materials’ is important. Concern about the general amount of packaging is a concern that does not seem to be fading, with a third of respondents expecting the amount of packaging will still be important after the Covid-19 pandemic. Sixty-four percent of Europeans reported having shopped more online during the Covid-19 pandem- ic,with 89 percent saying they intended to shop as much online or even more after European lockdowns. This increase is supported by >Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16

Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker