- Packaging Innovations is an essential element in the calendar of companies. […] It is a unique place where science is combined with industry, design, and art because packaging is art. And with commercialization, because what is most important here is commercialization, selling the product and, of course, a satisfied customer who will return to the manufacturer. – emphasizes Krzysztof Niczyporuk, president of the Polish Chamber of Packaging. He also gave his lecture as part of the Packaging Innovations Conference at the 16th International Packaging Trade Fair Packaging Innovations, taking place on the 9-10th of October 2024 at EXPO Kraków.
The only such event for the packaging industry
Packaging Innovations is a unique event for the entire packaging industry in Poland. It is not only a place where you can get to know the offers of exhibitors and the latest trends in the industry, but also an exchange of knowledge and experiences, effectively combining the spheres of business and science.
In addition to the exhibition zone with the networking, media, and career zone, participants had the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the projects of the finalists of the 13th Student Zone Contest and take part in the partners' anniversaries, as well as the Packaging Innovations Conference, which is part of Circular Week 2024 - an international series of events and initiatives dedicated to the circular economy and sustainable development taking place throughout Europe.
- Being at the packaging innovation fair, we cannot forget about the trends that shape these innovations. If we look at consumer trends in recent years, what is very interesting to me is the fact that more and more consumers pay attention not only to the packaging in the form of attractiveness but also to how it was made, and what impact it has on the environment. And therefore, we as the CANPACK Group, one of the largest producers of aluminum packaging in the world, definitely see an opportunity in this. - indicated Bartłomiej Wojdyło, Sustainable Development Director for Europe at the CANPACK Group and Member of the Management Board of the "RECAL" Foundation.
Participation in the PACKAGING Innovations TradeFair is also an opportunity to discuss topics related to the problems of the packaging industry. - The biggest challenges [of the packaging industry] are primarily legislative changes, which are very dynamic and are implemented with a delay. However, we should seek inspiration in these changes, we should be prepared, looking at competing with foreign countries on global markets, of course with the support of government organizations to go beyond our local market. So that we do not compete with each other, without export it is impossible to develop the Polish economy, the Polish packaging industry. So this is probably the biggest challenge, to keep up with the pace of changes and use these new technologies, and materials, use the achievements of those people who are gathered, whether from scientific institutes or universities, or be inspired by young people who also observe the global world, they live globally, they do not live here in the local world. - emphasized Krzysztof Niczyporuk, President of the Polish Chamber of Packaging. Urszula Drozd, Marketing Project Coordinator from Drukarnia Dako, a sponsor of this year's Packaging Innovations Conference, also did not hide her satisfaction. - Participating in the trade fair is a good networking opportunity. We had previously sent out information that we would be present at the event. However, we also managed to meet with clients who had no idea that we would be there. So it was great because we had the opportunity to simply see each other.
Inspiration from the young
On the 10th of October 2024, the results of the 13th edition of the Student Zone Contest were announced on the PACKAGING Innovations Main Stage. The jury consisted of: Lena Pianovska – A member of the Management Board of STGU, Dorota Piwowarska – Senior Category Manager of Wawel S.A., Beata-Pyś-Skrońska – Director of the Polish Chamber of Packaging, Krzysztof Skrobot – Director of the Polish Chamber of Flexographers, Beata Wielgat – Marketing Manager of Alfa-Print publishing house, selected the winners in each of the three categories. The winners received statuettes and financial prizes funded by Targi w Krakowie Ltd. In the Functionality and Form category, Julia Janur was awarded for the project "Packaging intended for small fruits"; in the Graphic Design category, Marta Baraniecka – for the project "Chocolate packaging supporting motor functions in autistic children"; and in the Impression category, Anita Biela was awarded for her "Tampon packaging design for the fictional Comfy brand".
This year's novelty was the special award of the competition funded by the Association of Polish Graphic Designers - participation in the STGU Mentoring Program - which was given to Amelia Cel for "Collective packaging with an HIV test". For the first time in the history of the competition, this year's winners also received a nomination from the organizer for the WPO WorldStar Student Awards competition organized by the World Packaging Organization (WPO).
Face-to-face meetings are a priority for young designers. – First of all, you can introduce yourself at such meetings as a person, not just as a project. During cooperation, it is important to speak the same language with the client, which is why meeting in person is so important – emphasized Amelia Cel. Julia Janur has a similar opinion – During this event, I had the opportunity to talk about my project many times, but also to find out what the people who approached us and asked about my project did. Face-to-face meetings make it easier to establish these relationships.
PACKAGING INNOVATIONS 2025 IN AN EXTENDED FORMULA
The next edition of Packaging Innovations will take place on the 8-9 of October 2025 at EXPO Kraków, officially as the Packaging Innovations Forum, while maintaining the current formats, i.e. the 17th edition of the International Packaging Trade Fair and the 14th edition of the Student Zone Contest. Of course, you can expect an extensive exhibition zone, lectures by outstanding experts from the Packaging Innovations Conference, and further exhibitions and anniversaries organized in cooperation with well-known institutions and partners of the event.