Labeling 2020 Smart

By Joan Mantini

The use of connected packaging solutions such as smart labels has been gaining popularity with the substantial growth of eCommerce, and the new technologies associated with connected packaging is enabling end-users to gain access to all traceable information across the supply chain and allowing for the journey of the package from conception to shelf to be followed with the click of a button.

A recent study from Future Market Insights titled: “Smart Labels Market: A Step Ahead Towards Enhanced Consumer Engagement: Global Industry Analysis, 2014 – 2018 and Opportunity Assessment, 2019 – 2029,” shows that growth in this market can be attributed to their rising application in inventory management, asset tracking, goods distribution and record tracking.

Indeed, modern consumers are demanding more engaging features for packaging and asking for more accurate information. This in turn is expected to boost the sales of smart labels in the foreseeable future, according to the report.

As packaging and label printing continue to evolve, brand owners need to stay up to date with new technologies. Amongst the articles in the January issue of Packaging Technology Today (PTT), you will find a six-point New Year checklist to help assess what’s working well—and what needs rethinking and/or improvement in your labeling process. Readers can also learn the advancements and security measures being implemented into packaging and labeling to help prevent counterfeiting, theft and diversion.

Also witnessing a clear shift in labeling regulations is the cannabis market. Cannabis packaging manufacturers are embracing more traceability methods as a focus on packaging to promote safer products as well as defending against counterfeit cannabis.  Check out the January feature in PTT which gives details on the black market challenges facing the cannabis industry and the first line of defense in combating them.