FDBusiness.com

Visitors to PACKAGING INNOVATIONS London 2012 (4 & 5 October 2012) at the Business Design Centre, will not only have plenty to see but also masses to think about as Coca-Cola Enterprises, Tesco Direct and The Fairtrade Foundation are just some of the big names addressing packaging’s hottest issues at the show’s free-to-attend learnShops.

Emma Gotch, On-line Packaging and Channel Manager and Mark Forrest, Quality Control Manager at Tesco Direct will discuss the challenges of online packaging. Between them, they’ll cover the challenges facing the fast-growing on-line sector for general merchandise products and some of the work they are doing to improve process and packaging performance.

David Clayton-Smith, who is currently Chairman of The Fairtrade Foundation and has over 25 years’ business experience working at board-level for blue-chip organisations including Courage, Do It All, Boots the Chemist and Halfords, will talk about  ‘The ethical consumer and your brand.’

He says: “I look forward to showing marketers, brand managers and owners how we’re all ethical consumers to a degree, what drives the ethical consumer, how they can tap into them and how the issue is about so much more than simply putting a badge on your pack or adopting greener packaging.”

The battle to create fully recyclable bottles has been long won, and Coca-Cola was undoubtedly one of the first innovators in this area developing the world’s first recyclable PET plastic beverage bottle. Nick Brown, Associate Director for Coca-Cola, will outline how the world’s biggest drinks brand is continually tackling the sustainability challenge.

New Concepts

Patriotic packaging is definitely the trend for 2012, but if you are looking for something a little more unusual to celebrate the seasons, Leeways Packaging Services (Stand J9) might have the answer. Leeways will be showcasing a number of new seasonal products – from their multi-cavity pumpkin cupcake pack, to their new party foods and convenience selection packs.  One of their new innovative designs is the end-of-aisle pallet display tray – this unique design provides an easy, stackable, palletised solution which is extremely efficient for layout, transport and storage.

The next time you open a packet of cereal or swig on a soft drink, a tiny little part of what you are doing may be all down to Beardow Adams (Stand F1). This company makes ‘hot melt adhesives’, which stick almost anything together from labels on jars and bottles, to wood panels and car trims. It develops and manufactures products specifically to meet customer needs.

Chocart London (Stand H5) have conjured up a whole new meaning to brand communication. For the very first time, they will be exhibiting their unique and delicious concept – printing on chocolate! Using a unique and secret process, white chocolate is used to create unbelievably high-resolution and detailed photographs, illustrations and text on 70% Belgian dark chocolate.

Due to popular demand ‘The BIG Packaging Debate’ will be returning, which will see the country’s leading Packaging Specialists, Environmentalists and Brand Consultants take part in a lively packaging Question Time style session. Plus, the latest packaging innovation ideas will be pitched to industry expert ‘Lions’ at a Dragons’ Den-inspired contest.

For further information please visit www.easyFairs.com/PI-LONDON or contact Adrian Harrow on +44 (0)20 8843 8804.