Stephen Dawson of Bapco Closures talks about the packaging supply chain
The opportunity to contribute to consumer safety, product protection, consumer convenience, and the reduction of carbon emissions is a privilege afforded to those who work in the packaging industry.
And, to be able to do all of this while simultaneously reducing costs shows the value of seeking win-wins – in which new packaging designs offer benefits on all fronts.
Some dismiss talk of win-wins as unrealistic – they believe to make a pack easier to open is to reduce its tamper evidence, or to reduce the weight of packaging harms product protection. Such cynicism can be defeated with facts – there are innovations on the market that mean manufacturers don’t need to make sacrifices in order to launch packs that meet multiple requirements.
Developments in closure technology are powering many of these win-wins. Indeed, perhaps the main barrier holding back innovations that meet multiple needs is the fact that all too often there has been insufficient focus on the whole pack design – container and closure – from the outset.
The use of a foil seal inside a cap to provide tamper evidence is one example of a win-win closure. Such a development removes the need for a tamper band, which allows knurling around the next to be removed. Furthermore, these closures allow for a lighter cap and lower neck profile, which allows for the reconstruction of blown containers, meaning potential weight savings of between 25 and 40%. In yet another win-win this cuts costs as well as carbon emissions throughout the production chain.
Furthermore, this technology can be used on a greater range of closure shapes, which in addition to functionality benefits, improves brands’ ability to create distinctive packs that achieve on-shelf cut through.
Win-wins also enable global roll-outs – they allow a single pack to reduce the threat of counterfeiting in markets where this is a major problem, such as the Far East, while simultaneously offering environmental benefits in markets where there is high demand for ‘green’ packaging, such as Western Europe and North America.
Whether it’s retailers, brands, or consumers, our industry can ensure that everyone wins.
Stephen Dawson is chief executive of Bapco Closures.
