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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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