PACKAGING INNOVATIONS HAS IT COVERED

Packaging Innovations, which takes place at the NEC on 26 and 27 February 2014, will be jam-packed with over 300 exhibitors, and a full learnShops programme, spanning across every aspect of packaging delivered by world-class industry experts, such as Marks & Spencers, Iceland, Recoup, and Mintel.

The 2014 event will feature seven co-located shows: Packaging Innovations, Ecopack, Contract Pack, Packtech, Print Innovations, Labelling Innovations and, new for 2014, Converting Innovations, covering all parts of the packaging supply chain, making it an ideal visit for anyone working in the food and drink industry.

For instance, making its show debut is environmental start-up company, Bag Re:Born, with a new innovation for the carrier bags market. The reusable carrier bag is durable enough for repeated use, with a clever pull, tear and snap system the bag folds out into a full size (60litre) refuse sack. Made from 100 per cent recycled materials utilising post-consumer plastic waste and produced using renewable energy, Bag Re:Born is a truly sustainable product.

Richard Simmonite, the innovator behind Bag Re:Born and CEO of the company comments: “Single use carrier bags are an environmental disaster. Their limited function and value permits them to be thrown away after just a few minutes of use, which becomes litter and a danger to wildlife. Bag Re:Born builds on the way people already use their carrier bags, but in a truly sustainable way.”

International exhibitor, Schur Star Systems, will be launching its latest developments in the UK. Specifically designed for the food industry, Schur’s Fresh `n` Go bags aim to keep fruit and vegetables fresh for longer, whilst providing convenience for the consumer. Plus, its dual or multi-chamber stand-up bags and Ready Meal bags developed for the convenience food market and aligned with the trend for smaller single-servings.

Also hoping to make consumer life easier is Silgan Plastic Food Containers providing alternatives to the traditional metal can, opened with a can-opener. Silgan will be demonstrating this with Bentos® re-launched Meat Puddings using Silgan PFC’s new light-weight plastic bowl. Hormel ‘STAGG® Chili’ high-barrier plastic containers decorated with a carton-board sleeve; and Hormel 200g Spam® now designed in a high-barrier rectangular plastic cup.

Pollard Boxes will unveil its fully automatic Emmeci MC2012 MEB for the manufacture of high quality presentation boxes up to 330mm deep, ideal for luxury drinks packaging. The first of its kind to be installed in the UK, the boxes can be finished with a variety of high quality decorative options, including film lamination, embossing, silk screen UV varnish and hot foil stamping; all produced in-house to help reinforce premium brand image on-shelf.

Those looking to outsource their food manufacturing and filling projects will find plenty of expertise at the show with new exhibitor, Kapak Foods, joining the ranks of Alexir Co-Packers and Unette Nutrition who will be making sure all subcontracting needs are covered.

Show Features

There will be two major new features, firstly Campden BRI eye-tracking technology, providing a unique opportunity to see through the eye of the consumer, understand what drives their spending behaviour and store navigation; helping food and drink businesses to develop a strategy for POS, pack design and product positioning. Plus the inaugural Recoup Clinic, where Recoup experts will be on hand to provide free, one-to-one recycling advice.

To keep up with latest issues and trends there will be an array of free-to-attend learnShops seminars, with expert and case study speakers spanning the world of print and packaging. Among the speakers will be packaging guru Lars Wallentin drawing upon his experiences, after a 40-year career at Nestlé as head of packaging design, as he talks ‘Packaging Sense’ at the show. Mike Fairley, an international consultant in the printing, packaging, security and label industries, and Andy Barnetson, Director of Packaging Affairs at the Confederation of Paper Industries (CPI) Corrugated Sector.

Sun Branding Solutions will present its case study on the redesign of Mondelez International’s European chewing gum brands Trident, Stimorol and Hollywood, in the biggest cross-country branding project undertaken by Mondelez to date. RPC Containers Corby will be touching upon Heinz’s latest revolution in packaging.

The BIG Packaging Debate will also be returning to the NEC, where a panel of packaging experts will form a lively Question Time style session. Get one-to-one personalised advice on any aspect of your packaging from expert professionals at the Packaging Consultancy Clinic, or take part in Lions’ Lair where you can grill a few brave exhibitors as they pitch their latest innovations to a panel of experts, hoping to receive a very public thumbs up. Furthermore, on the second day of the show, the BIG Print Debate will bring industry experts together to discuss the crucial issues of print.

A drinks reception for all those visiting the show will be held after the BIG Packaging debate at the close of the show on Wednesday providing an opportunity to meet the panel and the rest of the speakers at the show, network with colleagues, new contacts, and exhibitors.

Visitor registration is free and now open via the Packaging Innovations website www.easyFairs.com/PIUK

Companies interested in exhibiting at Packaging Innovations 2014 can find out more about booking a stand by calling the packaging team on +44 (0)20 8843 8820 or emailing [email protected].