In honour of International Women’s Day, 50 excited participants toasted the first fempack with alcohol-free bubbly. The venue was Tetra Pak in Lund and on the agenda was an ambitious and forward-looking theme – to create the most innovative, imaginative and sustainable packaging value chain in the world!

Circularity within the value chain was the main issue and the first speaker was Christina Appelgren, Director of Communications at Tetra Pak, who welcomed us all and talked about how Tetra Pak is working with sustainability.

In accordance with Packbridge’s new event concept, the spectators were then divided into groups to see various presentations of around 20 minutes each – something that is appreciated by both the audience and the speakers. Instead of sitting through a number of presentations, groups move to different stations and keep fresh and alert. The smaller groups also make it possible for participants to ask more questions, and presentations become more of a dialogue. For even better interaction and exchange of knowledge between presenters and participants, we encourage speakers to present without resorting to PowerPoint.

The next speaker was Annika Olsson, Vice Chancellor of Campus Helsingborg, Lund University, who spoke about practical tools to advance our positions for a more sustainable value chain. She also talked about how smart packaging design can create the conditions for sustainable development.

Helena Lindh, Environment Executive at Tetra Pak, then talked about their environmental work and how they work actively with circularity as part of an integrated approach.

Finally Elin Li, Business Development Director Cartonboard at BillerudKorsnäs, talked about how they challenge conventional views and about the development of packaging solutions for a more sustainable future.

To conclude, participants sat in their respective groups and discussed what they had learned during the day. It was emphasised that the network will continue to highlight the issue of circularity, but that to take the next step input is required from other stakeholders in the periphery surrounding the value chain. Thus, the network also wants to invite players such as those responsible for materials separation and recycling, politicians and the public sector. The circular issue affects all parties and requires commitment and understanding throughout the value chain.

Our next fempack will be held in the morning of April 19th, during Packbridge’s annual meeting.

About fempack:

fempack is Packbridge’s latest network, which is aimed at professional women who work within packaging. The network represents the entire value chain relating to packaging, from materials producers to recycling. The fempack network has the same Packbridge spirit as our other events, with the aim being to increase knowledge exchange and to work towards more innovative and sustainable development.

Västra Götaland is a region with a lot of expertise in both food and packaging. These are two major areas for the region and the link between food and packaging is obvious. Approximately 70% of all packaging is used to protect and extend the shelf life of food. Västra Götaland region has given the go-ahead to a project which aims to increase innovation in packaging and promote greater cooperation with members who are already linked to Packbridge.

“We see it as being very positive that Packbridge can provide more powerful development assistance to packaging companies in our region. The cluster has established working methods and a well-developed network of companies and universities which can make an important contribution to business development in Västra Götaland”, said Birgitta Losman, chair of the Västra Götaland regional development council.

Since its inception in 2010, Packbridge has grown to include about 200 member companies, both nationally and internationally, and it is now taking a further step in its development.

“From the outset, part of our funding came from Region Skåne, but now we will also get some funding from the Västra Götaland region. They have followed us over the last year and liked what they have seen. I think it is quite rare that a cluster, or network, gets support from two different regions, and we are naturally both pleased and proud of this”, said Packbridge CEO, Johan Mårtensson.

“There is a great deal of expertise in both food and packaging in Västra Götaland, and we have a large number of members from the region. Now we have the opportunity to increase our presence and work with skills development, knowledge transfer, network building and the development of the packaging industry and both directly and indirectly of the food industry.”

In 2017, Packbridge will be carrying out a number of activities in Västra Götaland. These will address the following areas:

• Digitisation and packaging
• Sustainability and the circular economy
• Flexibility and local production
• New materials

But Packbridge doesn’t develop these themes all by itself. They will evolve from dialogue with businesses, academia and the public sector in order to provide the content required. At the same time, Packbridge will work with RISE and local innovation systems, which possess a lot of knowledge.

For more information, contact Johan Mårtensson, CEO, 0766 456 535, johan@packbridge.se

Blixtlåset, the Swedish school championship for innovators, is a competition for students and a collaboration between Siemens Sweden, Teknikcollege Sweden, T-Convention and a number of secondary schools, and Packbridge is involved as an actor linked to industry. The competing teams consist of between two and six people and must present an invention as a working model/product or prototype.

The semi-final for the southern region was held on 2 March in Hässleholm, and Packbridge’s Tony Spodnjak was one of the jurors who judged the students’ contributions.

“It’s been great fun and very inspiring to sit in on the jury and see some really innovative inventions”, said Tony Spodnjak.

“In Packbridge we believe it’s important to be able to support students, as they are our next generation of professionals. Because we represent a wide network with broad knowledge from all different parts of the value chain, we feel we can help students with contacts and information about what is happening in the industry today”, said Tony.

The winning entry will compete in the national final on 23 March at the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm.

Skåne’s small and medium-sized enterprises will now have the chance to obtain financial support for digitalisation. You can receive grants of up to SEK 250 000 for the preparation and implementation of an investment in the digitalisation of your business. Packbridge’s Felix Helander is on the jury for the selection process.

The money comes from Region Skåne and the purpose of the checks is to achieve greater competitiveness and innovation in small and medium-sized enterprises in Skåne through digitalisation, for example by changing the business activity, process or organisation. This can include everything from developing a digital strategy linked to the business plan to identifying new business models and streamlining digital processes and systems.

In this case digitalisation means using digital technology to create new value in the company. It is not enough to simply transform something into a digital format.

Companies can be granted between SEK 100 000 and SEK 250 000. The company must cover at least half of the external project costs.

A small or medium-sized enterprise in this case, is a Skåne company employing between two and forty-nine people.

Read more trough the link below

http://www.skane.com/sv/digitaliseringscheckar-for-skanska-smaforetag

Packbridge has just completed a short tour in Stockholm including several meetings with organisations such as ICA and SISP. We also took the opportunity to meet Lantmännen.

With brands such as AXA, Go Green, Bonjour and Kungsörnen, Lantmännen is one of the Nordic region’s leading brand owners, and a long-standing Packbridge member.

Packbridge’s Johan Mårtensson and Tony Spodnjak were there to present our views on the latest trends within the packaging field. The discussions focused on finding synergies between the various stages in the packaging value chain and between related industries.

Other key areas highlighted were the interaction between brand, packaging and the consumer as well as how industry and brand owners can highlight the package as a key communicator and guardian angel for the content. Packaging is not just rubbish after it has been used, although it is too often perceived as such, but should also be viewed as a resource with the task of protecting and being a part of the circular sustainability system. Here the packaging industry and brand owners can cooperate to more clearly communicate the value of packaging to consumers.