Digitalisation in the packaging industry will be more influential than sustainability

Future growth in the packaging industry will be dependent on companies being able to mitigate the effects of inflation on the supply chain, which may require a shift in strategic focus towards digitalisation, which combines various technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), 5G, Internet of Things, and augmented and virtual reality.

Jenny Questier, Senior Consumer Analyst at GlobalData, said: “Sustainability has been at the top of many agendas, particularly as regulatory pressures have required companies to focus on compliance. However, the macroeconomic situation has shifted, and businesses simply cannot afford to ignore the cost implications that are resulting from rising energy and material costs.”

According to GlobalData’s 2022 Q3 consumer survey, 90% of global consumers currently state that they are concerned about the impact of inflation on their household budget, demonstrating that this is an unavoidable factor in purchasing decisions.

Questier continues: “Sustainability could now be viewed as somewhat of a luxury when it comes to packaging, as both consumers and customers may be willing to compromise on this to achieve the lowest possible price points for products. Packaging companies will be feeling the pressure from both rising costs in the supply chain and the reduced spending power of consumers meaning that they will need to do as much as they can to cut costs in the middle and that will inevitably come through digitalisation. The digitalisation of supply chains will be imperative in ensuring packaging companies can optimise efficiency and automation.”

A key development in supply chain management over the next decade will be the integration of these digital technologies throughout the supply chain. For example, AI can be used for supply and demand planning to predict peaks and troughs more accurately and, in doing so, optimise inventory management, cost savings, and supply chain efficiency. This will also aid the movement from just-in-time delivery to just-in-case delivery to help maintain product availability at all times.

Questier adds: “Increasing digitalisation in manufacturing can increase productivity, lower costs, and improve safety. The easiest way of digitalising is starting with a single business process such as warehousing or front-end planning. Increased automation across all stages of the supply chain will improve resilience and reduce the risk of disruptions and help companies successfully manage costs and supply in future.”