View latest packaging trends at Propak Cape

Packaging is becoming lighter, less bulky and more resilient. As new technologies and new designs are developed, less and less material is needed for the same effect and purpose. The light weighting of packaging is helping to cut down on the waste of raw materials, reduce the weight transported and decrease CO2 emissions.

Wafer thin film with a weight of only a few milligrams can protect and seal meat, fruit, vegetables, cheese and coffee, ensuring that these products are still fresh and healthy when they reach their final destination. It takes two grams of plastic film to package 200 grams of cheese, 1,5 litres of liquid can be safely stored in a bottle weighing only 38g and a tub of 125g of yoghurt weighs only 4.5g.

The ecological balance sheet of packaging when you sum up the valuable role of packaging versus the energy consumption, transport and disposal costs per product, illustrates the invaluable contribution that packaging makes in preventing food waste and ensuring that products reach the customer in their original condition.

Packaging awards, breakfast seminar

The Institute of Packaging South Africa (IPSA) Gold Pack Awards will run concurrently with Propak Cape with a dinner banquet. The awards aim to acknowledge excellence in packaging and sustainability. For each category, including food, beverage, health and beauty, household, medical and pharmaceutical, electronics and automotive, transit and bulk, and promotion, novelty and family packs; packaging attributes such as fitness for purpose, protection of contents, pack construction, suitability of materials, handling efficiencies and new materials used will all be considered.

The IPSA Western Cape Region will be hosting a breakfast seminar focusing on the challenges and rewards of doing business in Africa on Thursday 27 October. Guest speakers include:

• Nampak Bevcan MD Erik Smuts, who will share his experience in setting up and commissioning a beverage can manufacturing facility in Angola.
  
• The institute's Kishan Singh will share his knowledge of Tanzania, including an overview of business practices, the country's economy and packaging industry.
  
• Exporter to Brazzaville in the DRC, Fanie Cronje, will share anecdotes on pitfalls, corruption, import tariffs and how to use existing distribution structures to deal with a lack of infrastructure in the country.

For more information, go to www.propakcape.co.za.