SmartSolve Team Members Discuss Inspiring SPC Impact Event
On April 2nd through April 5th, members of our SmartSolve team attended SPC Impact 2024 in New Orleans, Lousisana. Two of our team members, Ashleigh Hotz and Alex Abbott weigh in to discuss how SPC is driving change forward in the packaging industry through meaningful partnerships, goals for circularity, and collaboration between many companies that were in attendance. While visiting the city of New Orleans, SmartSolve was also able to participate in a group bike tour down by the Mississippi river that included six historically relevant sites.
New Solutions and Possibilities
Alex Abbott, our CRO, provides his thoughts on SPC Impact this year and what he found to be the most interesting and eye-opening aspect of the event.
“Many companies are openly stating that they don’t have all the packaging solutions they need. They know there are innovative people and companies out there creating solutions that don’t yet exist and will become part of the solution. SmartSolve will fit into that niche. It was encouraging to hear from the giants of the industry that although they have many goals, they don’t currently have all the solutions yet to achieve those goals.”
As demands rise for more sustainable solutions in the packaging industry, SmartSolve offers refreshing and innovative technologies that are water-soluble, eco-friendly, and go beyond recycling.
Collaborative Partnerships Being Formed
Abbott recalls an impactful moment from the event during a session on meal bars. He explains that the speakers had conducted a survey for 1,063 people to compare wrappers and rate which wrapper is the most environmentally friendly. The results caused a bit of controversy at the show because it suggested, without sharing data, that a compostable plastic wrapper had 7.8x more Co2 emissions than the competing wrappers (compostable paper and aluminum coated film wrapper, store drop-off recyclable plastic wrapper, and non-recyclable plastic wrapper) and that only 4.7% of respondents thought that it was the most environmentally friendly. This study suggests that consumers are skeptical about compostable packaging and may see it as greenwashing. Abbott states that better pathways and solutions are needed to resolve large issues within the industry, and how collaborative partnership is a key factor for this.
Abbott describes further what some of his biggest takeaways were during the event.
“What I think is one of the single best things about this industry right now, is that it continues to be this idea of “radical collaboration” as some would call it. Many say how packaging companies are not in competition with one another anymore, but that we’re all working towards solving the same problem and finding solutions. There is an openness about our industry that is very good right now. There is a need for change, and I think that people see that and feel that as well. Many different vendors, competitors, and converters are very open to discussion and discovering solutions alongside each other. I am very encouraged by that because it is the right answer. There is so much incremental change that needs to be made, as well as huge systemic change that needs to take place overall. We’re not really in competition anymore, we’re all working towards the same movement, that’s really what it is.”
Creative Perspectives and Further Education
Our director of sales and marketing, Ashleigh Hotz shared her thoughts about the event overall and its deep and meaningful impact as well.
“There was a spirit of collaboration and education that was very evident. From the different solutions that were represented at the show to the very different perspectives that were presented allowed me to walk away inspired by the knowledge of the suppliers in the packaging industry. There is a willingness to create new and better offerings that meet some pretty significant goals.”
In addition to this, Hotz describes the topic of recycling and circularity.
“One of the topics getting a lot of attention right now is circularity, and many see recyclability as the primary vehicle for this. But let’s not forget that one of the core principles of circularity is the elimination of waste and pollution, according to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. Zero waste has never been more achievable than with SmartSolve materials. Remember, circularity takes what’s left over and re-integrates it back into nature, which is a key feature of our water-soluble materials. The wood pulp micro-fibers biodegrade back into earth in a rapid period of time, feeding microorganisms.”
Internal Partnerships
Hotz describes how many individuals are encouraging internal partnerships within a company, and the new perspectives that this could provide as a result.
“I think it is through events like this where speakers can challenge thought patterns, encourage further education, and bring about new connections that weren’t there before. Brands can meet suppliers who offer certain types of packaging that they are looking for. Suppliers are able to rub elbows with brands to propose ideas they hadn’t thought possible.”
SmartSolve sponsored a panel at SPC Impact, titled “Building Energetic and Meaningful Partnerships to Drive Change”, which discussed considering the push for both inter-company collaborations between different departments and external collaboration.
“Although partnerships between two outside companies are helpful, the idea of internal partnerships that wouldn’t normally happen could drive change forward as well. This could look like R&D partnering with sales for example, as communication and interactions between departments could provide new perspectives and new product development. In this way, internal partnerships could help businesses to communicate their needs, desires, and ideas. This could also promote a healthy work culture as well so that everyone’s perspectives can be heard and understood”, said Hotz.
SmartSolve is grateful for the chance to be a part of SPC Impact, as new ideas and solutions are being presented through collaborative partnerships within the sustainable packaging industry.
Learn More
To learn more about SmartSolve’s product offerings and how you can use them for your specific application, request a sample or contact our team today.
Content Specialist