You start a business, you create your products and start selling them.
You invest in
marketing, advertisement campaigns and events in order to reach more people and potential
customers and finally it starts to pay off.
Orders start to rain and packages must be sent everywhere around the world. This is probably
the most crucial part of the process of selling. It is the moment when your product reaches the
customer. And it has to be intact, it has to be perfect.
In principle, "Smart Packaging" describes packaging with extended functions. There are usually two
types of smart packaging - active packaging and intelligent packaging
Active packaging is packaging that interacts with the contents and thus improves the shelf
life or quality of the contents during storage. Either certain substances are released into the
medium or certain substances are removed from the medium or its immediate surroundings.
A typical example is beer in a plastic bottle, which contains an oxygen absorber in the screw
cap. This extends the shelf life from three to six months. Another example is film packaging
with ethylene absorbers. The ripening hormone ethylene is absorbed during the storage of the
food and thus ensures a longer shelf life
Smart Packaging“Smart packaging” is an umbrella term that describes packaging that uses
technology to do things that go beyond just housing a product. Smart packaging is usually
embedded with technology that can sense or provide information about the product or brand.
Smart packaging describes a large category of packaging that leverages technology to provide
functionality that goes beyond simply housing a product.
Intelligent packaging is packaging that offers an additional benefit that goes beyond the
mere packaging task. The "intelligence" of packaging essentially results from
"communication" with the outside world.
The additional benefit can include diagnostic and indicator functions that use indicators or
sensors to monitor the condition of the product and provide information on e.g. tightness,
storage time, temperature or freshness. Alternatively, the indicators or sensors can be
integrated in the packaging, placed on the outside or inside the packaging.
Top benefits of smart packaging in the packaging industry:
Stay relevant: Smart packaging results in better customer interface. Customers who
are more tech-savvy use innovative and newer forms of media or technology
platforms. Consequently, brands have a higher chance of staying relevant in the
consumer’s life when they utilize these platforms. It also gives a chance for
organizations to connect with their existing as well as potential customers. Brands
which do not show much interest in advanced technology often fail to grab customer
attention and also end up being labeled as obsolete.
Empowering customers: The smart codes that are implanted onto packages assemble
more information and aid consumers in making well-versed purchase decisions. Also,
manufacturers can supply information on nutritional values, sourcing, dietary
concerns, etc. to the consumer through a QR (Quick Response) code. Progressive
technologies in the packaging industry such as RFID (radio-frequency identification),
NFC (near-field communication), and smart labels will help empower customers and
assist brands in maintaining a loyal customer base.
Quality control: Enhancing the shelf-life of the products is a primary concern for all
the brands. Some smart packaging materials have the capability to adjust itself
according to the ambiance outside and inside the package. One of the best examples is
that of color changing plastics, which detect food spoilage.
In partnership with the FIFA World Cup 2014 in Brazil, McDonald's is getting rid of its golden arches
on the red fry boxes and replacing them with World Cup-themed art. Starting today, the fast food
company will issue the French fry boxes with 12 unique designs created by 12 international artists.
The best part of the global redesigns: they are intended to be a window into an augmented reality
soccer app named 'McDonald's GOL!' The app can be downloaded upon holding a smartphone in
front of the fry packaging. The box will then transform into a net on your screen that you can "kick"
balls into via the app.
