Trends unpacked at ISTA’s TransPack Forum

Packaging Solutions

Sustainable packaging strategies, innovating for e-commerce and improving load stability are top packaging trends facing the market over the next 12 months according to the International Safe Transit Association (ISTA), which brought together packaging leaders from across the globe at its annual TransPack Forum.

An audience of more than 350 professionals from the world of packaging and logistics heard from experts about the industry’s most pressing challenges and opportunities. This included the impact of sustainability on distribution channels and transit, packaging becoming a strategic decision for the c-suite and testing methodologies that enable operators to safeguard goods against the ever changing shocks and shifts of the supply chain.

ISTA president, A J Gruber, commented: ‘Consumers are increasingly demanding more from companies. They want their goods quicker, at a lower cost and with minimum impact on the environment. This is why sustainability, ecommerce and load stability dominated TransPack. They are talking points affecting businesses across Europe and will continue to become more important to their sales and bottom lines.

‘E-commerce growth is booming and the market is rapidly changing to next day or same day delivery. At the same time, consumers want goods perfectly packed – this means products arrive damage free and in the most sustainable way possible. Satisfying this demand builds brand reputations, loyalty and repeat sales.’

The TransPack Forum included a mix of training sessions, networking events and keynote speeches. Delegates heard from renowned experts such as Brian Wagner, senior director at Ameripen, Sameer Upadhyaya, head of technology for global packaging at Genetech and Alexander Bardenstein, product manager at the Danish Technological Institute.

TransPack Forum took place from in San Diego, California and was attended by professionals from the around the globe.