A speaker programme of ten presenters attracted more than 100 delegates to the “Shaping the Future with Packaging” conference in Brussels on 10 and 11 April.
Organised by the Flexographic Technical Association (FTA) Europe and Intergraf, with support from Smithers, the event included insights into the label and packaging market in Europe and parts of Asia, as well as topics such as legislation, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and hybrid flexo-digital printing.
Ioannis Antonopoulos from the European Commission provided an update on PPWR (Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation), stating that “everything placed on the market must comply”. There were updates from both Smithers and FINAT on industry trends.
Delegates were particularly intrigued by the presentations on AI, from Pieter De Buysser of NXTGN and Paul Horton from Diageo. Mr De Buysser said that businesses need to decide on how best AI can support their objectives, adding: “Do not use AI for everything you can use it for. It’s the choices you make that set you apart.”
Mr Horton gave an insight into an AI-driven co-creation platform developed by Diageo, piloted with a Johnnie Walker Blue Label project involving unique artwork labels printed in-store.
Peter Stael from Across-consult highlighted the strategic role of retail in brand visibility, while VPK Group’s Nikolaas Verhelst discussed optimising packaging through combining data analysis and customer site visits.
A panel of two Italian packaging printers saw Anna Vezzali of Ghelfi Ondulati and Osvaldo Bosetti of Goglio discuss their successful transitions from gravure to flexo and hybrid flexo-digital printing technologies, driven by sustainability, flexibility and shorter delivery times.
