Most visitors came after the Eurovision Song Contest held on 14 May, with the busiest days being the 16th and 17th.
“We generated 30% more contacts than in 2008, and saw top management, brand manufacturers and many potential new customers,” said Christian Traumann, president of Interpack 2011 and MD of exhibitor Multivac Sepp Haggenmüller. “The message from numerous other exhibitors has been much the same. Interpack has confirmed the stability of the positive economic trend.”
The premiere of the Save Food campaign, which aims to fight international food loss and was organised by Messe Düsseldorf in cooperation with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations, attracted more than 300 global congress participants.
Under the themes of Health, Meaning, Aesthetics, Simplicity and Identity, the ‘Innovation Parc’ brought together companies from across the value chain, and the Metal Packaging Plaza also proved popular.
See 125 images from Interpack 2011 in our Flickr gallery.
One of the most important launches in terms of sustainability was Krones with its Litepac strapping technology. This eliminates the need for an energy consuming shrink tunnel by doing the job of a shrink wrapper and palletizer. The 6-pack of bottles is then easy to carry, even with one removed, and reduces packaging material waste by 25%.
I saw three companies demonstrating their RFID tracking devices, hidden behind or within labels to prevent detection and deter counterfeiting.
Graphic Security Systems Operation (GSSC) has developed Hidden Image Technology with Sun Chemical.
Spain’s ITENE had developed a special intelligent Smartpack for Interpack, and I spoke with Marc Buttgenbach of Bizerba labelling who said: “Even the guy operating the filling machine isn’t aware of this device hidden behind the label”. Functional labels, it seems, are here to stay.
Hen Shakuf of Israel talked me through Tadbik’s colourful range of in-mould labelling and sleeving, including those incorporating shelf life indicators and temperature indicators, such as tasty pistachio drink Müllermilch.
Diego Fusaro and Pietro Saibene talked through their recent work on sleeving yogurt cartons and cups, with a manufacturer storing only white cups and producing new sleeving when required. An economical decision with last-minute promotions increasingly demand for new labelling.
Nicholas Barakat spoke on further cost savings with direct to sheet dPET. The result is excellent clarity for thermoformed containers.
Ilka Machemer, senior project manager of GS1, gave a lecture on the increased use of mobile apps in the industry and trusted sources at the Innovation Parc. She provides the survey results in our ‘Expert Opinion’ section in the June issue of Beverage Innovation magazine.
I set my own seal on a MySleeve application at the Innovation Parc under the watchful eye of marketing director Fabrice Saunier. This allows a personalised message (perhaps ‘Happy Birthday’ or ‘Congratulations’) to be written on the sleeve before it’s shrunk to smoothly fit the bottle, with a permanent on-pack message suited to events and promotions.
An hour spent with Jennifer Caribou at the Sidel stand allowed me to witness their new slogan – ‘A Better Match’ – in action as they aim to work with manufacturers to improve speed and sustainability.
Their efficient palletizing robots were an indicator of reduction in manpower in food and beverage plants around the globe, and an increase in integrated automation across the board.
Claire Phoenix is managing editor of Beverage Innovation magazine. Subscribe here.
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