Biz network aims to enhance tech in intelligent packaging

The Canadian Printable Electronics Industry Association and PAC, Packaging Consortium aim to advance the development and adoption of new products and applications enabled with printable, organic and flexible electronics (PE) for the global packaging industry with the launch of a new program IntelliPACK.

Europe’s Active and Intelligent Packaging Industry Association (AIPIA), which signed a strategic partnership with the CPEIA last week, is supporting the CPEIA and PAC on the IntelliPACK program as an international partner. The National Research Council of Canada is also onboard as a supporting partner.

“Our focus at the CPEIA is to foster collaboration between the creators and integrators of PE technologies, with end users in key market verticals where we believe (PE) offers a compelling competitive advantage,” says Peter Kallai, President and CEO of the CPEIA. “With IntelliPACK, we are offering a structured program framework to kick start this process in what we consider to be one of the most promising market verticals – intelligent and active packaging.”

The packaging industry is definitely thinking outside the box to create active and intelligent packaging that can help manage inventory, maintain product freshness, monitor medication usage, enable brand protection, identify materials for re-cycling and serve as an interactive marketing platform to engage with consumers.

But these applications require electronics capable of wireless communication that can be produced in vast quantities at low cost, consume little power, are disposable, flexible and even stretchable.

“IntelliPACK represents the leadership, collaboration and knowledge sharing we believe is crucial to drive progress throughout the entire packaging supply chain,” adds James Downham, president and CEO of PAC. “Intelligent packaging enabled by PE could dramatically reduce food waste during transport, retailing and at the consumer end. Brand owners will be able to engage with the consumers like never before through everyday products that are capable of wireless communication. We look forward to working with the CPEIA and its partners and members to advance this important initiative.”

Since signing a strategic partnership last spring, the CPEIA and PAC have been working together to assemble the ecosystem required to bring new PE-enabled packaging solutions to market, through webinars, workshops and conference participation.

This effort will continue through IntelliPACK, with joint research, development and commercialization activities intended to accelerate the adoption of intelligent packaging applications that have strong market pull.

“IntelliPACK is a great way for Canada’s PE and packaging industries to fill a void in the marketplace with active and intelligent packaging options that serve real needs for PAC Members that include global consumer brand owners, major retailers and our world-leading packaging industry,” says Paul Smith, Chair of the CPEIA’s Board and vice-president and centre manager for the Xerox Research Centre of Canada, which is also a member of PAC. “It’s a win-win for PAC and CPEIA members.”