// ROBOTICS AND SMART FACTORIES TERM

Packaging

The materials used to protect, contain, and present products for storage, transport, and sale.

TECHNICAL DEFINITION

Packaging involves the design, evaluation, and production of containers and protective materials for products, serving functions such as containment, protection, preservation, information dissemination, and marketing during storage, transit, and retail display.

BACKGROUND

Packaging is the science, art, and technology of enclosing or protecting products for distribution, storage, sale, and use. Packaging also refers to the process of designing, evaluating, and producing packages. Packaging can be described as a coordinated system of preparing goods for transport, warehousing, logistics, sale, and end use. Packaging contains, protects, preserves, transports, informs, and sells. In many countries it is fully integrated into government, business, institutional, industrial, and for personal use.

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SYNONYMS & ALIASES

  • Wrapping
  • boxing
  • crating
  • packing materials

USAGE NOTE

Sustainable packaging solutions are becoming increasingly important for environmental responsibility.

DEVELOPERS

Organizations developing technology related to Packaging.

  • Krones AG

    A German company that engineers and manufactures machinery and complete lines for filling and packaging in the beverage and liquid food industries. Their solutions include robotics, digital services for line monitoring, and highly automated packaging systems.

  • Sealed Air

    Creator of Bubble Wrap, this company now focuses on automated packaging systems (like the Autobag and I-Pack systems) and sustainable materials. They develop solutions that increase operational efficiency and reduce waste through automation and advanced material science.

  • Amcor plc

    A global leader in developing and producing responsible packaging for food, beverage, pharmaceutical, and other industries. They are heavily invested in smart packaging solutions, such as their MaXQ digital platform, and developing more sustainable and recyclable materials.

  • KUKA AG

    A global automation corporation that supplies intelligent industrial robots. KUKA robots are integral to modern packaging lines, performing high-speed tasks like palletizing, case packing, and pick-and-place, which are fundamental to Industry 5.0 manufacturing.

  • Tetra Pak

    A multinational food processing and packaging solutions company. They are known for their aseptic packaging technology and are integrating digital solutions, such as connected machines and data analytics, to optimize production and ensure food safety.

  • DS Smith

    A leading provider of sustainable corrugated packaging in Europe, supported by recycling and papermaking operations. They utilize data and automation to design custom packaging solutions that optimize the entire supply chain, a key tenet of Industry 5.0.

  • Rockwell Automation

    A major provider of industrial automation and information technology. They develop control systems, software, and motor control products that power and connect automated packaging machinery, enabling real-time data collection and operational intelligence.

  • Zebra Technologies

    Zebra provides technology that enables visibility in supply chains. Their hardware, such as barcode scanners and RFID readers, and software are crucial for smart packaging, allowing for real-time tracking, authentication, and data capture from production to consumer.

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