Smart and sustainable solutions showcased at FEFCO Technical Seminar

Some 816 representatives from the corrugated board industry and machinery manufacturers gathered at the Bella Centre in Copenhagen for the FEFCO Technical Seminar on October 20-22 to debate the latest ideas and innovations in the industry.

The event also highlighted the sector’s moves to comply with the EU’s Green Deal goals, including digital transformation, sustainability and climate neutrality.

The latest digital printing systems and other smart technologies were showcased at the event which was dedicated to the theme “Towards intelligent manufacturing - the digitalisation of the corrugated industry”.

The programme generated exceptional interest, with 22 speakers, 62 separate spotlight sessions and a panel discussion with high-level industry representatives. On the exhibition floor, there were 117 stands and 80 exhibitors from 30 countries presenting their ideas and solutions aimed at producing boxes more efficiently, more sustainably and with a reduced CO₂ footprint.

In his welcome address, FEFCO President Fady Gemayel noted that corrugated, first developed in the 19th century, is still proving itself as an indispensable packaging option, particularly during the pandemic. “We are socially responsible. We are part of a circular economy: we recycle, and we reuse the fibre,” he said.

The FEFCO Awards

The smartest and most sustainable industry suppliers in the industry were honoured with awards on October 22 at the end of the three-day event.

The Gold Award went to Dücker Conveyor Systems for a research and development pilot project on customed and automated loading of finished product pallets on trucks.

The Silver Award was presented to Kento for KentoHybrid^®, a project that integrates flexo analogue and digital printing technologies in a single hybrid machine, combining flexibility and reduced print costs.

The Bronze Award went to BHS Intralogistics for flexible paper roll handling on the corrugator, reducing manning and limiting unsafe clamp truck movements.

The Health and Safety Award was given to Spanish firm Talleres Serra, the Sustainability Award to H.B.Fuller, the Best Presentation Award to BHS Corrugated and the most Inspiring New FEFCO Member Award to Openpack.

A Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Peter Dücker from the Dücker Group.