Trends & talk about packaging
Sustainability and eco-friendly packaging remain hot topics for the packaging industry for Uwe Melichar. But there are other trends and challenges for the industry. In a conversation with packaging people, the packaging design expert provides insights into his experience with design and emphasizes how important it is that packaging is aesthetic, functional, and sustainable.
Focus on sustainable materials
A central topic for Uwe Melichar is sustainable materials. This includes, for example, fiber-form, which is used through technologies such as papier-mâché or injection molding. "Fiber-form fascinates me in particular," says Melichar. "It offers many possibilities, not only in the classic egg carton shape, but is now used in new processes." However, he also sees challenges: "For example, if you try to make a bottle out of paper, it doesn't just work like that. You need some form of barrier, and often there is plastic underneath after all."
Reusable packaging: Opportunities and challenges
On the subject of reusable packaging, Uwe Melichar emphasizes that in many cases, it makes sense. "Reusable packaging often makes sense, but it is not always the best solution," he emphasizes. Decisive factors include transport distances and the effort required for cleaning. "It really depends on how much effort it takes to clean and refill something. Only when these factors are in balance does reuse really make sense."