Science & Innovation in Packaging

1. Science & Innovation in Packaging Dick Searle Chief Executive The Packaging Federation

2. The “Inconvenient Truths” of Packaging • Packaging only exists because products exist • First & foremost it’s a Delivery System for Products • Its Primary Role is to contain, protect and preserve • But it’s also a Primary Mechanism for Branding • It’s very visible but little understood by consumers • But its environmental impact is much, much less than that of the damage that would arise without it • And…Modern Society couldn’t function without it!!

3. ‘So why is there so much Packaging?’ • Demand for Packaging is created solely by the demand for the products that it contains • Consumers expect to have everything available 24/7 – only possible with modern packaging • Political & Media focus on packaging seems to be driven by what consumers see in their bins • And yet it’s consumer demand only that puts it there – wonderful “disconnect”! • It’s an inevitable and necessary feature of modern living • And yet its existence is consistently attacked

4. So What About The Future? • The World faces an unprecedented challenge to feed itself • Global warming is expected to substantially reduce the availability of land for growing food • Increased productivity and waste prevention at all stages will be absolutely key – and not just in developing countries • Modern packaging and distribution systems will play an inevitable and unavoidable role in this • Current supply chain losses of 40-50% in less developed countries are unacceptable (vs estimated <5% in the UK) • Packaging and the science and innovation that drives its development and existence is ready to meet the challenge

5. The Role of Science & Innovation • Warmly welcome packaging being viewed on the basis of science – not politics and media myths • Could start by addressing contents of Food 2030 – only addresses packaging in the context of reducing it! • And “making more of our essential packaging recyclable” – so what about “meat packaging”?! • One plus from all the UK attention on packaging is that our industry leads the world in packaging innovation • Whilst science is important, its application in innovative products has been the huge driver in the last few decades • Enabled fundamental changes in product offerings and retail methodology

6. Look Back to the Fifties…….. • Shopping was a daily exercise • Grocers shops (Liptons, Maypole, H&C) • Almost no supermarkets • Most products sold loose – queues/hygiene • Home deliveries of milk, bread…even ‘pop’ • Range was limited and fresh food seasonal • Convenience foods almost unheard of

7. And Now in the “Teenies”… • Consumption has increased dramatically • Supermarkets are everywhere • Shopping is mostly a weekly excursion with intermediate “top-ups” • Range and choice are huge • Products available all year round • Convenience is ‘everything’ • And it’s this consumer demand for goods that drives demand for the packaging around it

8. And so…. • Packaging is the ‘enabler’ for shopping as we know it today – supermarkets could not exist without it • Product wastage in the supply chain is now minimal • Product presentation and information are key • Brands are mostly defined by their Packaging • Many markets owe their existence to developments in packaging

9. All of these developed since the 50’s • Lightweight one-trip glass bottles • Easy-open lightweight beverage and food cans • Plastic bottles and tubes • PET bottles • Flexible packaging sachets and pouches • Plastic films • Child resistant packaging • Liquid packaging cartons • Aseptic packaging

10. And these!... • Ovenable packaging • Modified atmosphere packaging • Frozen food packaging • Microwaveable packaging • Chilled food packaging • Aerosols for toiletries & household products • Plastics pots for almost everything • Multiple packaging – board and plastics • Shelf ready packaging • Pharmacuetical & medical packaging

11. Let’s just remind ourselves what “masters” packaging has to satisfy Demands of the product Demands of: Consumer Retailer Marketer Demands of: Production Distribution Storage Secondary packaging Primary packaging PRODUCT Demands of legislation and ‘environment’

12. So what has the Packaging Industry done? • Developed a fantastic range of new products • Enabled a huge change in the way we shop • Facilitated the reduction in food waste in the supply chain to ca. 3% • Lightweighted packaging across the board • Achieved the decoupling of GDP growth from the increase in packaging used • Given consumers product protection, hygiene, convenience and pack information • Provided the platform for product branding and identification

13. And some real facts about it • UK “consumption” is mid-table in EU • 3% of landfill and18% of household waste • Carbon footprint less than 2% - and way less than the damage it saves • Huge progress in recycling in last few years – over 60% now recycled – again mid-table in EU • Good recycling needs a better waste stream • Further progress requires ‘joined-up thinking’ • Energy from waste must be taken seriously

14. Consumer Attitudes • Packaging responds to the needs of modern lifestyles and consumer demand – 24/7 • Consumer concern about the environment is real but is it well informed? • Are the messages right? – packaging vs global warming • Should all packaging be recyclable? • Do they understand that packaging is “only” the delivery system for the products that they demand? • Do consumers really want a return to the shopping regimes of yesteryear – lack of choice and even rationing • And what about what they say……as opposed to what they actually do! • And what about food waste in the home

15. Consumer “Education”….and ours! • Knowledge of the real facts about packaging is very limited • “Recycling more important than reduced car use” • Whole supply chain (INCLUDING THE FOOD & DRINK INDUSTRY) needs to do much more….starting with their own employees! • Ambassadors for packaging – how much would you sell without it? • “Packaging in Perspective” • www.packagingfedn.co.uk/factsheets.html

16. The Messages from Government • Totemic issues…..(e.g. plastic bags) • Consumers’ carbon “footprint” – 40%! • What are the real issues e.g. car use • Time for honesty and recognition of the absolute need for modern packaging if the world’s food challenges are to be overcome • Time for the “Appliance of Science” to actions on the realenvironmental challenges • For instance…..household food waste has at least 15 times more environmental impact than packaging waste

17. And some “reminders” from us • Packaging is <3% of landfill • Global carbon footprint of packaging including disposal is >2% and it saves far more carbon by wastage reduction than it uses • And what would the footprint be without it! • There’s ten times more energy & materials in products than in the packaging around them • The energy content of one day’s packaging is equal to ONE MILE driven in the car !! • AVOIDABLE food waste in the bin has more than FIFTEEN times the impact of packaging waste

18. And so….. In Conclusion • Modern demand needs modern packaging • Without it we’re back to the 50’s – with no supermarkets, restricted choice and vast increases in wastage • And the impact on the food and drink industry and its customers would be dramatic • At a time when the world faces dramatic challenges on the sustainability and development of its food supply, it needs the scientific and innovative skills of the packaging industry to succeed • So please let us get on with the job