CPEIA, PAC connects both sides of the supply chain

In an effort to speed the adoption of new intelligent packaging products and applications, the Canadian Printable Electronics Industry Association (CPEIA), has formed the IntelliPACK Leadership Council, in partnership with the Packaging Consortium (PAC).

The joint IntelliPACK program launched last September, to drive the development and adoption of intelligent packaging enabled with printable, flexible or organic electronics (PE). The new Leadership Council will provide strategic direction and momentum to IntelliPACK’s mandate. Its Executive Committee is composed of senior industry leaders, drawn equally from among CPEIA and PAC Members, to represent the full breadth of the intelligent packaging supply chain.

Organizations represented on the Leadership Council include Atlantic Packaging, the CPEIA, DuPont, Jones Packaging, Molson Coors Brewing Co., National Research Centre of Canada (NRC), PAC, Printability and Graphic Communications Institute (ICI), Sun Chemical Corp., Unilever and Xerox Research Centre of Canada (XRCC).

“PE is a crucial enabling technology to turn packaging into an intelligent sensing and communication platform, to help brands engage consumers at the point of sale, or gather key logistical data on their products as they move through the supply chain,” says Peter Kallai, president and CEO of the CPEIA. “Only PE can address the packaging industry’s need for low-cost, low-power and disposable intelligent packaging options that can be easily added on the production line.”

Intelligent packaging has a range of applications, from managing inventory and product freshness, to tracking medication usage, protecting against product counterfeiting and tampering, and serving as an interactive marketing platform.

“Adding intelligence to everyday products through packaging benefits the entire industry ecosystem, from design and manufacturing through to recycling and waste diversion,” adds James Downham, president and CEO of PAC. “We are integrating both sides of the supply chain in a way that’s never been done before, to educate the marketplace about the value of enabling intelligent packaging with PE and to provide the leadership and support necessary to bring these solutions market.”

The Council will meet monthly, to organize project committees and seminars, provide assistance in connection with education programs, and monitor government initiatives in respect of the intelligent packaging industry, all with the goal of bringing to market new products and applications that serve real industry needs.

“Intelligent packaging will provide powerful new ways to improve the entire product experience,” says Christina Cvetan, global R&D packaging, innovating retail at Unilever and executive committee co-chair. “From shopper engagement and consumer usage, to measuring and tracking performance across the end-to-end supply chain and unlocking new opportunities to drive significant advancements in sustainability.”

“Brand owners are adapting to a new market reality in which consumers are more empowered and informed than ever when they make a purchase decision,” says Jeffrey Moore, general sales manager, Atlantic Packaging, and executive committee co-chair. “PE opens up a host of possibilities to engage the consumer at that most critical point – the point of sale. We look forward to working with all our IntelliPACK partners on this vital initiative.”