Packaging Première Collection: positive results for the event dedicated to excellence in deluxe packaging

Divided into three days, each dedicated to specific areas, the event was attended by a total of 850 visitors, in full compliance with current safety regulations. On the first day, dedicated to cosmetics and perfumes, fine food, wine & spirits, there were 40 exhibitors; on the second day, dedicated to fashion, accessories and jewellery, there were 37 exhibitors; on the last day, defined Maison Papier, dedicated to the world of paper, cardboard, finishing and coating materials, there were 26 exhibitors, including two exceptional brands in the wallpaper sector such as Londonart and Jannelli & Volpi, confirming the strong connection between packaging and lifestyle.

“We are very satisfied with the result, visitors appreciated the special format designed for this event, which offered new products every day in a very special context such as the Padiglione d’Arte Contemporanea. The proposals presented interpret the best of the market and the result of research and innovation. We look forward to meeting our packaging community again next May at the fourth edition of Packaging Première and the first edition of PCD Milan, which will bring together perfume, cosmetics and personal care packaging designers with some of the world’s most important manufacturers”, commented Pier Paolo Ponchia, Founder and Director of Packaging Première.

In terms of primary and secondary packaging, the common thread was that of sustainability, in all its aspects: from the reduction of environmental and energy impact to product innovation – often made with post-consumer recycled materials, natural fibres such as hemp or waste materials; from the study of mono-material packaging solutions – especially in boxes – to the reduction of the use of plastic in favour of eco-plastics derived from 100% recycled raw materials. The ethical and responsible approach is stronger than ever, especially in the deluxe packaging sector, which speaks to an informed and increasingly aware consumer.

Among the protagonists of Packaging Première Collection were important associations such as Aticelca – which brings together technicians and experts working in the paper industry – and Comieco – the National Consortium for the Recovery and Recycling of Cellulose-based Packaging.

Massimo Ramunni, Director of Aticelca, underlined: “Our method stems from the need to provide an awareness tool both to paper and cardboard packaging producers and to final consumers. The fact that paper is a recyclable material is generally acknowledged by public opinion, so much so that in Italy in 2020 the recycling rate of paper and cardboard packaging reached 87%, anticipating and exceeding the European objectives for 2030”.

Lorenzo Bono, Head of Comieco’s Research and Development Department, explained: “Comieco and the paper industry have been working for some time on packaging prevention, promoting the creation of increasingly “sustainable” packaging that is functional and easy to recycle. In this context, the increase in the number of packaging types (which then translate into significant quantities of boxes released for consumption) subjected to recyclability tests is particularly significant: there were 27 in 2012 and 439 in 2020. And so too, considerable progress has been made – for example – in reducing the average weight of corrugated cardboard used by manufacturers, which has fallen from 573 g/m2 in 2010 to the current 544 g/m2″.

Visitors were also able to appreciate the “Classici in Carta” project created by some of the students of the education course in Graphic Design for Communication at the Istituo Europeo di Design – IED in Florence who, under the supervision of the professor Laura Moretti, reinterpretated the covers of the great classics of Italian and international literature.

The participants of this edition of Packaging Première Collection were: Acti Pack, Adiscart Packaging, Albertin Alcide E Figli, Ameri, Anydesign, Arsmetallo, Artecarta Italia, Artegraf, Basiliotti, Bernadet, Berni, B-Lab, Bulgarelli Production, Cavallini, Co&In, Commer Carta, Contecolor, Crcart, D’Auria Group, Dienpi, Dreyer Kliche, Due Emme Pack, Duegi Packaging, Envases Group, Etichettificio Antoniano, FVL Packaging, Fedrigoni, Foilco, Fontana Grafica, Form Bags, Gruppo Cordenons, H.Bohlmeier & Co, Heinz-Glas, Hlp Klearfold, Idp – Intl. Direct Packaging, Inca, Inthebox, Jannelli & Volpi, King Union Europe, Koenig & Bauer, La Commerciale, Label It, Labelcol, Labrenta, Lecta, Livingcap, Londonart, Lumson, Lustampa Gins, Luxoro, Maggioni Type, Mcc, Menichetti Glues & Adhesives, Mondi Group, Nastrificio Achille Valera Lissoni, Pack Milano, Papeteries De Montsegur, Pisacane, Procos, Proto-Typo Group, Renkalik, Retail Pak, Rissmann, Scatolificio E.M.A.R., Sdr – Henkel Premium Partner, Texon, Valtenna, Vetroelite, Vimer.

Packaging Première Collection has been possible thanks to the support of: Made in Loom, Londa International, Lorenzo Petrantoni, Integra Fragrances, Paperize, San Gregorio Valdobbiadene, FineFoods Nutraceutical Pharmaceuticals, Gugliermetto Experience, RNC 1838, Cosmai Caffè e CosaPorto Quality Delivery.