Support Strategic Planning for Commercialisation and R&D - Versatile Packaging

This project has four key inter-related/reliant priorities set. Packaging now has four priorities namely cost, functionality, price and sustainability, (Kalkowki, 2018). The reality is that packaging is pivotal in being able to reduce food and product wastage globally which is a key priority for governments, brands, manufacturers and retailers. Packaging Strategies (2014) argue that packaging has gone ‘beyond the traditional containment, preservation, protection and identification to include a wide range of monitoring, tracking, warning, remediation, authentication, communication and brand protection’, ([Online]). In fact it is argued that changes in packaging, for example, to flexible packaging is delivering real benefits including lowered production costs (57%), lowered transportation costs (49%), increased line-filling speeds, increased sales above 10% (39%), consumer appeal (37%) and ability to price at a premium (16%), (Beard, 2018). For example, packaging innovations such as pouches have the added benefits of less energy use in production and materials, lower transport costs, reduced environmental impact and significant downward impact on carbon footprint, (Packaging Strategies , 2014). There is clearly significant opportunity for development and growth for Versatile Packaging.