With the slogan #LaFuerzadelPackaging, Hispack highlights the value of the contributions of the packaging industry, as well as the effort and work of companies and professionals in this industry to deal with the pandemic. At the same time, Hispack advocates and forecasts that packaging will be a strategic industry when it comes to relaunching the economic activity of all the productive and commercial industries in the new normal that will emerge after this crisis.
In order to act as a lobby for the powerful Spanish packaging ecosystem and add voices to the campaign, Hispack has collected the opinions of different sectoral spokespersons that are shown below. They highlight the key benefits of the packaging industry in this exceptional situation, as well as the industry’s constant innovation to continue to guarantee maximum protection and security in the manufacture and distribution of products.
Jordi Bernabeu, President of Hispack and Director of Markem-Imaje in Spain and Portugal
“Issues such as product security, information and traceability are more important today than ever before. Behind it is the packaging and labelling industry, whose innovation, companies and professionals will be decisive in helping other industries to create value in the post-COVID-19 stage.”
Jordi Quera, President of Graphispack Association
“During this health alarm, packaging has played an essential role in the supply of basic necessities (food, hygiene and pharmaceutical products) with containers and packaging playing an important role in guaranteeing protection for the transport, use and consumption of these products.
Packaging has proven to be omnipresent and, leaving issues of image and identification to one side, complies with all legal regulations to preserve the products it contains.
The fact that the consumption of basic products has not stopped and, therefore, a significant part of the production of our industry has been maintained, gives the packaging industry a head start to deal with the economic crisis that will follow. It will undoubtedly be a strategic industry for relaunching economic activity.
We must also emphasise that the security offered by well-protected, packaged and well-designed products strengthens the ongoing work of the entire packaging industry in innovating and improving products thanks to packaging that, more than ever, must be environmentally friendly and protect people’s health.”
Michele Palma, President of AMEC-ENVASGRAF
“In view of the health emergency brought about by COVID-19, Spanish manufacturers of packaging machinery have been able to adapt to the circumstances and have maintained their activity to ensure technical support to the supply chain for activities considered essential by the Government.
The packaging industry has evolved greatly in response to new needs, requirements and forms of consumption. In recent years, packaging has taken on a fundamental role in the activity of many productive sectors and we will see that its importance will continue to increase. Manufacturers of packaging machinery continue to work and innovate to improve the functions of packaging, without losing track of our efforts to make it more sustainable.
I would like to congratulate the manufacturers of packaging machinery for the great work they have been doing over the last few days in very complex circumstances. I encourage them to keep it up, meeting the requirements of customers all over the world, as we always do.”
José María Bonmatí, Managing Director of AECOC
“In a situation such as the one we are currently experiencing, it has become clear that packaging plays a fundamental role in transporting, protecting and preserving consumer products and, therefore, is also essential for strengthening consumer confidence.
Furthermore, as the Government has acknowledged, the packaging sector has proved to be strategic because its operation is absolutely essential for the industry and the distribution of consumer products in order to fulfil its mission of supplying the citizens of the entire country with essential products for their health and well-being, both in normal situations and in the current exceptional circumstances.”
Artur Costa, President of the Packaging Cluster
“The packaging industry has been able to provide a rapid response to the COVID-19 health alert, guaranteeing products in essential areas such as food and health at all times. In addition, companies in the ecosystem have collaborated and even redirected their activity to things such as manufacturing masks and protective clothing, among others.
To emerge from the crisis, companies in all industries will have to refocus and change strategically to adapt to a new normality, and the packaging industries, as one of the drivers of our economy, must do so as well. This transformation is fundamental, and we in the packaging industry and more specifically in the cluster, are going to collaborate to generate more competitive companies with quality employment that will facilitate social and economic recovery.”
Jesús Pérez, Director of the Packaging Innovation Cluster
“The packaging industry is providing a fundamental response to all the basic activities for society during this health alert, such as the agri-food, pharmaceutical, chemical industries, etc. The safe production of containers and packaging is indispensable, even more so in this context.
The packaging industry is providing a fundamental response to all the basic activities for society during this health alert, such as the agri-food, pharmaceutical, chemical industries, etc. The safe production of containers and packaging is indispensable, even more so in this context.
Also noteworthy in this crisis is the absence of dependence on foreign markets. We have a very powerful packaging sector that is very close to the packagers, with a high domestic production capacity so as not to leave the supply chain of the products unsupplied.
Packaging really is a value chain in which many activities are involved that must respond to society. This is why the authorities, thanks to the work of the industry’s organisations, have recognised packaging as a strategic and essential industry in this health crisis.”
Sergio Giménez, Business Director at AIMPLAS
“Packaging provides many advantages in terms of conservation, information, distribution and reduction of food waste. But perhaps one of the most important and least appreciated points is the food security they provide.
Hygiene, processing and preservation processes in the food industry and the use of packaging have been key to reducing the risk of foodborne illness. Therefore, when we talk about eliminating packaging, we must be aware that we are sacrificing this security, and not only when it comes to microbiological risks but also chemical and physical risks, and it will therefore be a step backwards in terms of food security.
In this pandemic, the security of packaged products is more vital than ever to minimise the risk of human contamination of food. Single-use packaging, which has come under criticism, is now being viewed more positively versus reusable packaging, which is more prone to contamination. However, packaging is and will continue to be a strategic industry due to its capacity to solve society’s challenges in terms of food security, population increase and crowding in large cities and minimisation of food waste.”
Luis Miravitlles, Director of IQS Executive Education
“In recent weeks, we have seen in the media the reaction to COVID-19 from different companies in industries deemed essential, including pharmaceuticals and other supplies in the health, food, personal care and hygiene, electronics and communication technology industries and, in general, e-commerce and logistics associated with all of them, among others. However, there is rarely any mention and emphasis on an industry which, in my view, is the most essential of all, the only one which all the supply chains in the aforementioned industries have in common and which is absolutely crucial if they are all to really reach the end user. I am referring, of course, to the packaging industry.
In order for all those products that keep the end user connected, fed, safe and healthy to reach their destination on time and in the best conditions, it is absolutely essential that the companies that manufacture and distribute containers, packaging and labels are at the forefront of serving their customers in an agile and timely manner.
In order for all those products that keep the end user connected, fed, safe and healthy to reach their destination on time and in the best conditions, it is absolutely essential that the companies that manufacture and distribute containers, packaging and labels are at the forefront of serving their customers in an agile and timely manner.”
Ángel Lozano, General Manager of CEP (Centro Español de Plásticos)
“Plastic materials have proven to be indispensable, ideal and economical in guaranteeing and protecting the health of people, preventing the transmission of viruses, substances and contaminating fluids. Either as single-use materials or as substitutes for other more traditional materials, they have immense versatility in design and ease of transformation, as well as reduced cycle times necessary for the manufacture of different products. This has made it possible to cope with the present situation of alarm in a very short time, as well as providing infinite advantages to all users, who have been able to appreciate the value of plastic.
The packaging sector is the largest consumer of plastics, and in our opinion, the demand will continue to grow especially for the packaging and protection of food products, meeting the strictest quality controls. Nor should we forget the great importance of the recycling packaging correctly, thus facilitating the subsequent reuse of materials. In this respect, packaging designers have a great challenge ahead of them: on the one hand to make it easier for the consumer to quickly identify the materials from which the packaging has been made and, above all, to apply eco-design techniques.”
Belén García, director of Packnet
“The current health crisis resulting from COVID-19 has once again highlighted the strategic role played by packaging in both the production and distribution processes, since in addition to containing and protecting the product from its manufacture to its consumption (on the one hand guaranteeing the safety and quality of all packaged goods, and on the other their correct traceability and identification), it also acts as a communication tool, as it is a fundamental medium of information for consumption, handling and subsequent recycling.
It is precisely on the basis of this remarkable importance in many critical aspects that affect society as a whole that packaging can be expected to further strengthen its strategic position in the wake of this crisis, as consumers will increasingly appreciate the safety and integrity of the packaged products they can purchase both online and offline.”
Leopoldo Santorromán, president of AFCO
“In this health alert, the priority is to slow down the progress of the virus without putting the supply of basic products, nor the future viability of many of our country’s businesses, at risk. Food, pharmaceutical and health products and other commodities, as well as e-commerce peaks, have been able to count on the packaging industry’s rapid response and strong support to keep the supply chain moving. Cardboard packaging offers protection, efficiency in transport and logistics, security and hygiene, it can be printed and is an example of the circular economy due to its renewable, recyclable and biodegradable nature. Thanks to packaging, products reach consumers in perfect condition.
The cardboard packaging industry is a systemic sector that is critical and indispensable for preserving the supply of goods to society. In this health crisis, the 71 companies that make up the cardboard industry in Spain, with a total of 89 factories, despite the difficulties, have been able to adapt and maintain their operations to guarantee the supply of packaging. During this exceptional situation, the 11,000 workers in the sector have been involved.
It is and has been a fundamental and strategic industry, before, during and after the crisis. Cardboard packaging, with its constant commitment to quality and innovation, is consumed by an infinite number of economic and productive activities: food and beverages, audio, electronics, automotive, chemicals, perfume and ceramics are just a few examples.
The group of companies that form part of the cardboard packaging industry play an important role in the Spanish economy, contributing to its growth, boosting job creation and respect for the environment.”
Javier Zabaleta, Managing Director of ITENE
“In these difficult circumstances, packing and packaging have proven to be a strategic sector, strongly committed to its key role in the distribution chain and highly responsible and supportive in maintaining the activities and supplies we need on a day-to-day basis. Furthermore, packing and packaging have proven, in themselves, to be indispensable as protectors of the conservation, quality, integrity and hygiene of products.
Packaging will be a strategic sector to emerge stronger from this crisis because guaranteeing safety and hygiene will become even more important than it was before this situation, and packing and packaging are essential and fundamental in achieving this. Furthermore, this is a sector that is committed to R&D – for example, through the development of new packaging materials and technologies for recycling – and in the times ahead this will be key. This commitment will enable it to develop new solutions that will make it grow while helping society to solve the challenges that we will face.”
#LaFuerzaDelPackaging
