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Special Report                                                                                                                                                                   Special Report



       Automated packaging coming to the forefront                                                                   goals;  and  the  growing  adoption  of   30
                                                                                                                     right-fi t technology within automated
                                                                                                                     bagging  systems.  A  key  takeaway
       of the automated warehouse                                                                                    was the emphasis on dual-material        25

             t recent tradeshows such as   also play a role, with states’   ROWAN STOTT                              capabilities, particularly in response   20
             LogiMAT  and  ProMat  2025,   Extended Producer  Responsibility   Research Analyst, Interact Analysis   to tightening regulations such as the
       Aautomated  packaging  compa-     (EPR)  frameworks  putting  more                                            EU’s PPWR and emerging state-level   Number of Partnerships, Mergers and   15
       nies were notably more visible. While   pressure  on  manufacturers  and  distri-  lower dim-weight shipping costs,   EPR  policies  in  the  US.  As  pres-  Acquisitions
       these vendors have traditionally partici-  butors  to  reduce  the  environmental  and reduced waste. These technolo-  sure mounts to reduce plastic usage,   10
       pated in such events, this year they were   impact  of  their  packaging.  As  a  gies deliver both sustainability bene-  suppliers  are  moving  toward  more
       positioned more prominently  on the   result, there’s increased interest in  fits and operational savings, making   sustainable  options.  Ranpak’s  in-  5
       show fl oor, often with larger booths and   systems that not only streamline  them an increasingly compelling part   troduction  of  a  paper-based  stretch
       a stronger presence overall. In addition,   packaging  but  also  support  better  of  broader  warehouse  automation   wrapper was a strong example of this   -
       their  names  came  up  more  frequently   data  tracking  of  the  material  used  strategies.               shift, highlighting that development           2019      2020     2021     2022     2023      2024
       across other warehouse automation   and  right-sizing  to  cut  down  on                                      is already underway, even if broader      Fig. 1: Automated packaging company partnerships and acquisitions
       vendors’  displays  and  conversations.   excess material.         Innovations in automated packaging         demand is just beginning to ramp up.
       This  increased  visibility  suggests  that                        solutions                                                                    toward  packaging  solutions  that  are  a push for more plug-and-play sys-
       automated packaging is playing a more   Conversations  with  packaging   ProMat 2025 saw a noticeable in-        Right-fit  capabilities,  once  pri-  purpose-built  for  integration  into  tems  that  simplify  integration  into
       signifi cant role in broader system integ-  vendors  also  highlighted  that  this  crease in the presence of automated   marily  associated  with  box-making  fully  automated  environments.  The  larger warehouse automation pro-
       ration  efforts,  pointing  to  its  growing   momentum  isn’t  being  driven  by  bagging solutions, with a wide range   systems  from  companies  like  CMC  company’s growing partnerships  jects.
       importance  in end-to-end warehouse   regulation alone. Emission goals set  of semi-automatic and fully automatic   Machinery,  Packsize,  and  Sparck,  with system integrators also signal
       automation strategies.            by  major  corporations,  along  with  systems  on  display.  Companies  like   are now gaining traction in the auto-  a  broader  recognition  that  packag-  As regulatory pressure increases
                                         shifting  consumer  preferences  are  PAC  Machinery,  Sitma,  Tension      mated bagging space.  Autobaggers  ing  is  no  longer  just  the  final  step,  and  customers  place  greater  value
       Major industry drivers            proving  just  as  influential.  For  Packaging,  Rennco,  and  Garrido     are increasingly able to produce  it’s becoming a more strategic part  on  sustainability,  demand  for  auto-
          While automation has made signi-  example, McKinsey reported that  showcased  machines  designed  to       mailers tailored to the product size,  of  the  overall  automation  strategy.  mated  packaging  systems  that  can
       ficant  strides  in  labour-intensive   nearly half of consumers are willing to  support  varying  levels  of  automa-  helping to reduce material use and  For  integrators,  having  a  track  meet these requirements is likely to
       areas  like  picking  and  palletizing,   pay more for sustainable packaging.  tion,  reflecting  growing  interest  in   shipping costs – goals that align with  record  of  successfully  deploying  these  rise. At the same time, as packaging
       packaging  haslagged  behind  until   This  growing  demand  for  sustain-  streamlining packaging processes.  both  environmental  targets  and  systems  could  increasingly  be  a  key  is  requested  as  part  of  end-to-end
       recently. But as more parts of the ware-  able  packaging  is  helping  right-fit                             operational efficiency.           differentiator.                   automation  strategies  more  often,
       house become automated, packaging   solutions  from  providers  like  Pack-  Two standout trends emerged                                                                          the  need  for  seamless  integration  is
       is  emerging  as  a  growing  area  of   size and CMC gain traction, offering  from  the  show:  greater  material   There  was  also  a  clear  move   Automated  packaging  company  prompting collaboration between
       focus for end-customers.          more  precise  dimensional control,  flexibility  to  support  sustainability   toward  making  automated  packaging  partnerships and acquisitions.  system integrators and automated
                                                                                                                     systems easier to integrate into larger                             packaging  vendors.  This  could  lead
          This  shift  appears  to  be  driven                                                                       end-to-end automation projects. Tradi-  Final thoughts              to deeper partnerships across the
       partially  by  evolving  regulations,                                                                         tionally,  end-of-line  packaging  was   Broadly speaking, developments  ecosystem, with integrators leverag-
       most notably, the European Union’s                                                                            treated as a bolt-on solution, with  in  the  automated  packaging  sector  ing their experience in automating
       Packaging  and  Packaging  Waste                                                                              system  integrators  often  choosing  appear to be moving in two key direc-  packaging  workflows  as  a  competi-
       Regulation  (PPWR).  These  rules                                                                             vendors  based  on  cost  rather  than  tions:  a  shift  toward  solutions  that  tive  edge,  especially  when  target-
       push for more efficient use of space,                                                                         fit. That model appears to be evolv-  support  more  sustainable  materials  ing  manufacturers  and  retailers  that
       a reduction in single-use plastics, and                                                                       ing. Packsize’s recent launch of the  and reduce waste in line with tighten-  place  a  strong  emphasis  on  end-of-
       stronger sustainability standards; all                                                                        X6 right-size boxer points to a shift  ing  environmental  regulations;  and  line automation.
       of which align closely with the capa-
       bilities of automated packaging sys-
       tems. In turn, vendors are responding
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       166                                                                     Chemical Weekly  June 24, 2025        Chemical Weekly  June 24, 2025                                                                  167


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