Combining the successes of well-established Thin Wall Packaging and Plastic Closure Innovation events in Europe, the Rigid Packaging Forum provides a focused platform for all players in the fast-growing industry to discuss market opportunities and challenges on June 25-26, 2024 in Cincinnati, OH, USA. It aims to explore driving sustainable innovation and operational excellence for the FMCG rigid packaging value chain.
Featuring two theaters, Rigid Container Innovations and Plastic Closure Innovations, the concurrent agendas investigate the two distinct markets to explore optimal ways to enhance innovation, functionality, operational excellence, and sustainability across multiple rigid packaging formats.
Expert speakers from across the packaging industry, including FMCG brand owners, packaging and closure producers will examine solutions to today’s challenges and development opportunities in material science and technology in rigid packaging. Their presentations will focus on thin-wall formats, pails, preforms, and bottle closure solutions.
In the context of growing concerns about the impact of the slowing economy, surging inflation, high fuel and energy prices all impacting on profitability, it has been difficult to prioritize sustainability efforts. A recent progress report from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation confirms that the 1,000 signatories to its Global Commitment will not meet their 2025 plastic reduction goals. Indeed, several leading brands have increased use of virgin plastic and are being criticized for it.
Europe has led the way on sustainability efforts and we are now seeing similar heightened sentiments in North America. Waning public support for plastics and legislation often favoring plastic alternatives has created challenges for the rigid packaging industry but strong innovation efforts and sustainability focus are showing meaningful change.
Lightweighting and other efficiencies remain top of mind for plastic packaging manufacturers squeezed between their high-priced raw material suppliers and brand owner/retailer customers. Consolidation continues to achieve economies of scale and efficiencies. With the size and scale of the larger players, rationalization may start to occur. M&A is taking place both horizontally but also into new verticals with plastic processors acquiring recyclers and capabilities outside their core material/plastics to add value and growth to their offering and support customers with their packaging requirements.
The market has changed significantly over the last five years towards more sustainable formats driven by legislation and plastics taxes, pressure from NGOs, brand owner/retailer sustainability commitments, and consumer perception.
This has resulted in changes both in polymer consumed and seen a move towards formats perceived to be more sustainable including flexibles and fiber-based solutions.
There is unprecedented demand for mechanically and chemically recycled material and the availability of recycled content material needs to accelerate. Developments are taking place throughout the entire value chain to increase the availability of and incorporate recycled material into rigid packaging.
The two-day agenda provides a unique platform to network, exchange knowledge and innovate. Examining cost and operational efficiencies through technology and material science, in the context of sustainable progress in thin wall containers, food service disposables, pre-forms, pails, caps and closure solutions.
