Dear readers,

the subject of packaging is becoming increasingly important – from the manufacture of corrugated cardboard to various coatings and food-grade barrier papers to packaging printing and the associated low-migration printing inks and finishing techniques. This did not come by accident. Logistics and online retail have benefited from the shops that were closed in lockdown to such an extent that they do not really want to put the actual figures on the table. The skyrocketing demand for packaging material and technology caused delivery bottlenecks – thus followed by new factories and warehouses springing up like the proverbial mushrooms. It is an illusion to believe that brick-and-mortar retail can fully regain the market shares they lost to Amazon & Co. in the upcoming post-pandemic times; the already cracked position of the many small shops on the market is not enough for this. Accordingly, competitive pressure will increase in online retail – and thus in the packaging sector - because of course the growth of the last few months is on the way to slowing down a bit. New players will try to secure their piece of a cake that has actually already been distributed, innovative startups will be up for sale for the highest bidder – and packaging and its design will continue to gain in importance in the struggle for buyers. Packaging between sustainability and eye-catching – one of the main topics of this issue – will continue to concern us in the future.

Have a great read & stay safe!