AI is Shaping the Future of Packaging

Artificial intelligence (AI) will also be able to take over technical, logical and repeatable tasks in packaging tasks in the future, but human creativity remains irreplaceable, experts agree. Optimising packaging processes is and will remain the main task for AI applications, while designers will continue to be responsible for the strategic and emotional aspects of packaging in the future. One thing is certain: Collaboration between humans and AI is key to innovative and sustainable packaging. The future has long since arrived. At FACHPACK on Thursday, PACKBOX will be focussing on this topic, which currently knows no boundaries. In his presentation, Volker Muche will explore the question of “how much AI will be in packaging in the future”. As Managing Director of Pacoon Sustainability Concepts, Muche has been one of the leading minds in the industry for years. He will certainly start by explaining where data-driven AI is already an integral part of the packaging design process. Uwe Melchiar will then talk about the “Advantages and opportunities of AI in packaging design and the role of humans”. The Vice President of the European Brand & Packaging Design Association is a globally sought-after designer when it comes to packaging.

The integration of artificial intelligence in the packaging industry has enormous potential: it will fundamentally change the way packaging is designed, produced and recycled. Companies have long been using AI to increase efficiency, achieve sustainability goals and reduce costs. AI is playing a key role in various areas of packaging development and production.

Optimisation of the Packaging Design

A key advantage of AI in packaging design is its ability to quickly analyse large amounts of data and draw relevant insights from it. This enables designers to make informed decisions, improve design quality and test a large number of prototypes cost-effectively and in the shortest possible time. AI-supported tools access specialised databases containing information on packaging types, materials and graphics. Using machine learning, they can search this data and provide design suggestions based on previous successes and customer behaviour. This leads to faster design cycles and greater precision in realisation.

In addition, AI allows the creation of individualised designs that support the trend towards personalisation of products. Consumers increasingly want customised packaging – and AI can help meet this demand.

One important area in which AI is supporting the packaging industry is the development of new, sustainable materials. Researchers are using AI algorithms to identify potential materials that are more environmentally friendly and recyclable.

At the same time, AI offers immense advantages in the recycling process. AI-supported systems can sort and separate materials more precisely, which increases the efficiency of recycling. As part of the “KI-OptiPack” project, for example, experts are working on optimising the use of recycled material in packaging. The focus is on ensuring the use of recyclates as early as the design process and closing material cycles. AI makes it possible to identify possible fluctuations in material quality and make appropriate adjustments.

AI also makes a decisive contribution to increasing efficiency in production. Machine monitoring and predictive maintenance have been ensuring that downtimes are reduced and maintenance can be carried out in line with demand for years. This not only saves costs, but also conserves resources. Another field of application is quality control. AI-based systems visually analyse packaging for defects and enable seamless inspection of products. This prevents expensive product recalls and protects brand manufacturers from damage to their image.

Automated Packaging Adjustments

A remarkable development in the field of packaging technology is the ability of AI to adapt packaging sizes and shapes precisely to the needs of individual products. This leads to a significant reduction in packaging material and improves sustainability. At Amazon, for example, the AI model “Package Decision Engine” is used to determine the optimal packaging for each product. According to the company, it has already been able to save over 2 million tonnes of packaging material since 2015.