Cardboard and AI -
What the packaging of the future will look like
The future of packaging lies in sustainable solutions such as biodegradable materials, recyclable packaging and innovative designs that conserve resources. Our aim is to reduce waste and find more environmentally friendly options for transporting and storing products safely.
Exploiting potential and optimizing supply chains
The packaging of the future is one thing above all: sustainable. It also meets customer expectations in terms of functionality and creates positive emotions at the "unboxing event". Solutions made of corrugated cardboard, solid board and paper combine naturalness, stability and product protection with low weight, can be printed in a variety of ways and help to reduce empty space thanks to their customizability.
This makes them the best choice today and in the future for optimizing packaging, preventing over-packaging and conserving resources. For retailers and customers, they are an established, uncomplicated and cost-effective solution. Automation, digitalization and AI must be used in packaging production and the shipping process - for a more sustainable and efficient supply chain of tomorrow.
Innovative packaging solutions made of cardboard and paper
Cardboard as a natural circular product
The natural product corrugated and solid board is made from renewable raw materials and is part of a successfully established recycling cycle. This is because paper-based packaging can be fully recycled - the recycling rate in Germany is almost 100%. In addition, the vast majority of the raw material used, around 85%, consists of recycled material such as waste paper, cardboard and used corrugated cardboard. The potential to replace packaging plastics with paper-based materials is estimated to be up to 75% in the mail order business. Padding material made from cardboard guarantees the same product protection as polystyrene, for example.
The path to climate-neutral packaging
According to a recent study by the Gesellschaft für Verpackungsmarktforschung, GVM, emissions from German packaging could be reduced by 94% by 2045. Relevant factors are: lighter packaging, packaging-saving consumer behaviour, increasing use of recyclates, greatly improved recycling, decarbonization of industrial production processes, green energy sources and energy savings.
The requirements of the future
It is clear that we will need packaging for as long as there are products.
That is why we are working on making it even more sustainable and smarter so that it meets the requirements of the future:
- natural materials
- Reduction of plastics
- Efficient supply chains
- fewer empty spaces
- Reduction of packaging material
- Easily recyclable
- Biodegradable
- recyclable
In order for us to achieve this, we are driving the issue of sustainability with two levers:
Firstly, the packaging itself, which should be sustainable due to the raw material used and its use.
Secondly, the entire packaging manufacturing process. Our declared, ambitious goal is for Schumacher Packaging to be climate-neutral by 2035 at the latest.
That is why we are investing heavily in renewable energies and are committed to protecting the natural raw material that we use for paper production.
The solar park at the Schumacher plant in Forchheim has a total capacity of 12 megawatt per year.
Future orientation and innovative strength at Schumacher Packaging
We are already working with AI in many areas. However, our focus is still on a partnership-based exchange from person to person. We rely on individual advice and the optimization and individualization of products and solutions. To get there, we need to use smart technologies. Some of the things we create with them are unique in the world! We are constantly developing prototypes. Over the years, we have achieved pioneer status in our industry. One highlight is definitely our plant in Greven. But future technologies are also already in use at other Schumacher plants:
Hello!
My name is Jochen Drösel. My team and I are the innovation makers at Schumacher Packaging. The combination of cardboard and artificial intelligence (AI) offers numerous opportunities for packaging innovations. No matter how specific your requirements are: We realize future-proof solutions, perfectly tailored to your needs. We look forward to hearing from you!