Page 47 - Plastics News August 2022

ANALYSIS

were spending more time browsing social demand – resulting in optimisation minded as they often lack a physical
media and 69% of consumers were for warehousing and inventory costs. space to sell their products. This also
avoiding going to large supermarkets, Greater AI integration will support means packaging is seen as vital to boost
according to Week 11 of GlobalData’s retailers and manufacturers to respond their brand awareness.
2020 Coronavirus (COVID-19) more quickly to future opportunities Packaging trend 9: Health and Wellness
Recovery Consumer Survey and Week and threats.”
1-10 of COVID-19 Tracker Survey. Packaging trend 7: Demographics According to GlobalData’s 2021 Q1
consumer survey, three-quarters (75%)
The combination of eCommerce and The industry has seen brands and of global consumers say “information or
social media networks have brought manufacturers seeking to improve label claims on packaging about production
about a seamless shopping experience. readability and packaging suitability for method” are essential or nice to have.
Social media now serves as a hugely older consumers without stigmatising Consumers are increasingly appreciative
important marketing platform across the them. . For example, French bottled of transparency and want brands to
consumer goods industry. water company, Wattwiller, redesigned clearly explain ingredient benefits on
The report says that as online models its bottle caps in a daisy flower shape to product packaging. The pandemic has
become increasingly significant, make its products easier to open. prompted greater awareness around
companies will want to take this In the years ahead, an intergenerational health. As a result, brands are being
opportunity to develop a more digitalised approach is crucial to creating successful encouraged to describe ingredients such
supply chain management system to product packaging that appeals to as probiotics, superfoods, CBD, and
help service these and other channels. consumers across all age groups. plant-based formulations that will entice
Packaging providers will therefore need Packaging trend 8: D2C (direct to health-conscious consumers.
to work in tandem with brands and consumer) Packaging trend 10: Robotics
retailers to ensure digitalisation works Increased at-home consumption and
for all stakeholders from production to remote working have already become The use of robots within factories
the end-consumer. became a tool for protecting the health
entrenched behaviours because of the of employees during the pandemic.
Packaging trend 6: Artificial intelligence epidemic. According to GlobalData’s Placing robots in every other position
By implementing AI technologies such 2021 Q3 survey, 22% of global helped to ensure employees maintained
as machine learning (ML), companies millennials and Gen Z consumers an adequate distance to reduce the risk of
are able to better standardise procedures purchase beauty and grooming products contracting a virus. In the US, Costco’s
and eliminate human error. A trending directly from brands online. Alongside highly automated chicken packing
theme is the use of robots for the clothing, personal care goods represent plant in Nebraska reported just one
sorting of goods for recycling. US the largest consumer goods category to COVID-19 case among 800 employees.
carton recycling industry organisation, be purchased through D2C channels. The use of collaborative robots (cobots)
the Carton Council of North America, During the pandemic, Nestlé UK within factories are boosting efficiency,
and renewable energy semiconductor also adjusted to changing demands whilst helping to increase profits.
manufacturer AMP Robotics, have by collaborating with the Deliveroo Packaging and palletising collaborative
collaborated to create an AI-powered Essentials platform, which allows cobots are leveraged in a range of
robot named Clarke. The robot is used to consumers to purchase a range of grocery industries to optimise fulfilment processes
help with the sorting process of cartons, items online that are delivered directly to in a number of tasks. The report says
plastic bottles and containers. their homes. that packaging robots can streamline
AI has improved supply chain This demonstrates how D2C channels production as they can lift more products
management since AI systems use enable brands to market additional at any one time, improving packaging
predictive analytics. The report says goods to existing customers and boost capacity and resulting in reduced labour
“using predictive demand tools, these the likelihood of repeat business. costs.
AI systems can balance supply and D2C companies need to be digitally

47 PLASTICS NEWS August 2022