Creating the most recycled product on earth: Europe’s corrugated industry meets for their key trade event in Munich next year

From 9 to 11 March 2021, the international corrugated and folding carton industry will gather at the Munich Trade Fair Centre in Germany for the 5^th edition of CCE International, Europe’s only trade fair for manufacturing equipment in corrugated and carton board production. Exhibits will cover the entire production chain, including raw materials, machinery, accessories and services, all aimed at optimising the production process and generating added value. The previous show in 2019 saw an increase in visitor numbers by 13%, reflecting the high demand and enormous growth potential in the corrugated market.

The unstoppable rise ofe-commerce and ongoing public demand for more sustainable packaging solutions in a circular economy have pushed the corrugated and folding carton industry to new heights. Paper-based products are now the most recycled items on earth, and corrugated boxes the most used vessel for online shopping, making corrugated material highly popular with brand owners and consumers alike.

The latest market figures point to a bright future for the corrugated industry, offering plenty of chances and opportunities in a broad range of industries and markets. But customer demands are changing quickly, leaving no room for complacency. Corrugatedbox manufacturersface a strong competition with suppliers of alternative packaging materials, and investing in modern machinery and equipment is key to being successful in the long term, especially in regard to package design and performance.

“Sustainability, versatility, printability and good transport protection have become essential aspects of packaging in terms of marketing and brand presence”, says Liljana Goszdziewski, Exhibition Director of CCE International.” Also, the retail business is constantly accelerating, and there is a high demand for digitalised packaging and individualised products. Many conventional production methods have now reached their limits, so the corrugated and folding carton industry is heavily investing in bespoke product and processing solutions to update their production lines. Fast moving machinery, digital solutions, as well as a high level of automation and connectivity is needed to solve production problems in often delicate converting, printing, and finishing processes.”