Column
Is the packaging print market poised
to be the next big opportunity?
A new report by Persistence Market Research titled Pharmaceutical
Packaging Market: The U.S. Industry Analysis and Forecast
to 2020 has cited the pharmaceutical packaging market as a
key revenue generator in the years to come. It went on to say
that the US is driving the growth of the North American
market for pharmaceutical packaging due to the presence
of health-conscious people and their high spending power.
Technological innovation in packaging and integration, and
advanced manufacturing processes are some of the driving
factors responsible for this growth. However, price volatility,
the availability of raw materials and changing health regulations
are some major restraints inhibiting this growth. The report
also said that nano-enabled pharmaceutical packaging will
open up new opportunities. Biotechnology and electronics
will play an important role in enhancing the functionality of
packaging. Plus, eco-friendly and child-resistant packaging
are gaining popularity, as are special blister packs and cardboard
packaging to replace plastic.
Smart packaging to lead the way
pharmaceutical) regulations? Regardless of what digital printing
press you choose, can you guarantee compatibility between
inks, substrates, coatings and so on. These key questions
must absolutely be answered first.
According to industry guru Harvey Levenson, the package
printing market has endured and grown when most other
segments have experienced declines. One major reason has
been the focus on packaging by OEMs. “While technology
advancements must continue, the next area of development
has more to do with marketing package printing technology
to commercial printers in a way that demonstrates that pack-
aging is a viable and profitable industry segment to enter,”
he said. “Most commercial printers don’t yet understand this.
However, advances in digital printing are rapidly addressing
one of the largest concerns of packaging print buyers –
reduced time to market. Today, production inkjet and toner
equipment manufacturers have new technologies for digital
package printing, folding cartons, corrugated boards and
labels.” However, Levenson added that three traditional
processes for package printing –
f l e x o g r a p h y, g r a v u r e , a n d
lithography – will still continue to
be vital, especially for static and
long-run printing.
Studies say pharmaceutical packaging
will generate massive revenues – and
smart packaging will lead the way.
Another market report, RRI Research
Report Insights, also revealed that
“smart” pill boxes and bottles will
be at the leading edge of this wave.
Smart pill boxes keep a record of
the number of pills consumed by
patients, their timing, as well as services provided during a
stipulated time period. They use text, phone calls, light and
sound to remind people to take their medications. They’re
preferred over traditional technology because they facilitate
better patient compliance. With rising incidents of chronic
diseases, the demand for smarter packaging technology has
significantly increased, RRI added. This increase is expected
to drive the market – and of course the accompanying packaging
printing market. In terms of geography, the smart pill box
market is expected to be the most lucrative in Canada and
the US, owing to the high penetration of advanced technology.
An opportunity for commercial printers
If you’ve thought about entering the lucrative packaging printing
market, experts tell us that you must do your homework in
detail before investing. For example, does your shop have
in-house expertise on the intricacies of structural design? Can
you offer a total, end-to-end, high-quality print solution to
potential customers that includes digital finishing and
perhaps embellishments? Can you guarantee a seamless
workflow, especially on the front end? And what about strict
compliance to government and industry-specific (in this case
@graphicarts
Today, label printers and converters
often use colour digital presses in tandem with their analogue
systems, and some converters operate electro-photographic
and inkjet presses. Realizing the present and future growth
potential of digital packaging, today’s OEMs wanting to
capitalize on these opportunities are engaging in joint
ventures. For example: Heidelberg has partnered with Fujifilm
in developing its Primefire 106; Landa has partnered with
KBA combining Landa’s S10 technology with KBA’s VariJET
Powered by Xerox; Xanté’s Excelagraphix 4200 is using Memjet
page-wide inkjet printheads for high-speed output on
corrugated board, and on and on.
So here’s my humble suggestion if you’re thinking about
entering this market. Talk to your OEM first. Then arrange a
fact-finding trip to one of its clients who’s already successful
in this segment. Only then will you objectively discover your
possible path (and possible pitfalls) in making the transition
to packaging printing.
Tony Curcio
Editor, Graphic Arts Magazine
[email protected]
GRAPHIC ARTS MAGAZINE | April 2019 | 33