What new interesting developments can one look forward to seeing at this year’s Interpack? While some exhibitors have released advance information on what will be on display, based on which we have written up a company-wise preview, most people are playing their cards very close to their chest.

We predict that most new products or solutions on display will be related to the most acutely felt concerns and needs of brand-owners and consumers. Some of those worth looking out for are:

Environment Friendliness/Sustainability –

• All kinds of energy saving processes and devices from control systems to energy-efficient equipment/devices and non-traditional energy sources.
• Downgauging of materials, higher product:package ratio systems and better cube utilisation systems for all applications ranging from rigid systems (lightweight glass, lighter bottles/jars/cans) to flexible systems.
• Processes and systems to reduce in-plant wastage (both start-up waste and process waste).
• Materials incorporating high recycled content or post-consumer waste.
• Degradable and compostable materials.
• Materials made from renewable sources like bio-polymers made from agricultural inputs like corn, starch and sugars.
• Processes to recover/recycle post-consumer waste.
• Processes that reduce emissions that cause warming or other environmental pollution (e.g. VOC emissions, effluent treatment etc.).

Productivity Enhancement –

• Faster and higher output machines.
• Integration of several processes into in-line solutions.
• More machine automation and robotics.
• Process control solutions.
• In-plant and post-packaging materials handling, product/package feeding systems.
• Automated workflow management.

 
Brand & Product Security –

• Anti-counterfeiting systems.
• Track-and-trace solutions.
• Tamper-evident devices.

Supply Chain Management –

• Shelf-ready systems.
• POP and display friendly systems.
• Smart packages (tags/labels that show up temperature abuse, product or bacterial spoilage, exceeded use-before dates etc.).

Miscellaneous –

• Systems for higher aesthetics and shelf impact.
• On-the-go packages.
• More convenience and safety features.
• Child-resistant closures and systems that are geriatric-friendly or helpful for the physically challenged (e.g. Braille encryption).
• Convenient consumer multipacks (bundling, collation, six-packs etc.).
• Systems catering to on-demand small runs/speed-to-market, micro-segmentation, promotions, variable data and personalisation.

We can also see a trend towards machinery manufacturers focusing on becoming customised end-to-end solution providers by integrating products from other sources into composite production lines for which they will undertake guarantees on performance.

A Preview Sampler

(Our special Interpack Preview issue will have extensive preview coverage with an index that we will post on the Packaging South Asia website on 10 April 2008. www.packagingsouthasia.com

Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
Hall 7a / B05

Heidelberg to make its first appearance at Interpack 2008
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) will be providing information on its solutions portfolio for folding carton production at interpack 2008. Heidelberg packaging printing experts will be on hand to give advice to visitors to the company's joint stand at "Innovationparc Packaging" in Hall 7a. Heidelberg will be focusing on solutions for the entire folding carton production line and will not be exhibiting production equipment.

As many products are becoming more and more alike, surface finishing - for example, cold foil transfer technology - is increasingly providing print shops with a means of rising above the competition. The auditorium at "Innovationparc Packaging" will be the venue for a presentation on the "Possibilities of special applications for cartons" at 1.15 p.m. on Monday, April 28. The speaker will be Kilian Renschler, Head of Packaging Product Management at Heidelberg.

EskoArtwork
Packaging Innovation Parc
Hall 7A, stand B05

At Interpack 2008, EskoArtwork presents its broad range of solutions for packaging design and protective packaging in the Packaging Innovation Parc, as a member of the Pro Carton organization. Product highlights at the show are the tools specifically developed for designers and brand owners: Esko Visualizer (that converts 2D designs into 3D virtual simulations), Esko Dynamic Content (a new and unique plug-in for Adobe Illustrator to dynamically link text files with package designs) and the concept of ‘Protective Packaging’.