• About 40 wineries were interested in this session that gave packaging responses to the challenges of the wine world

On February 25, the Packaging Cluster and INNOVI organized a conference entitled Challenges and packaging solutions in the wine sector, which had a good impact, not only among packaging companies but also companies associated with INNOVI. As a result of this fact, we can draw the conclusion that the wine sector considers this part of its value chain relevant to generate innovation in the face of technical, legislative or market needs.

The objective of this session was to bring companies closer to the generation of innovation projects with other connected sectors.

In the first place, the Bodegas Torres and Freixenet companies presented different challenges that are considered sectorial, such as the detection of foreign bodies online, new bottling formats aimed at large volumes or the serialization for the monitoring of Bodegas Torres bottles, such as commented Eva Bertran, R&D Microbiology Manager. For her part, Gloria Martín, Freixenet's Responsible for the Environment, raised a specific type of demand such as the sustainability of its packaging and primary elements: cork stoppers, labeling or inks.

At the solutions level, the CEO of IPE Industria Gráfica Francesc Egea presented the Smart Labels project, an intercluster and transnational initiative, with companies in the wine sector, which aims to develop and use new printing technologies for the manufacture of smart labels.

Likewise, Débora Alasraki, CEO of 3D Click, responded to a problem such as digitization with a collaborative technology for online customization of 3D packaging. Today consumers are asking for a personalized experience and that companies have flexibility to act in the face of these demands and digital news.

To finish, the Manager of the company i3D eco packaging ideas, David Esteban, closed the session with the launch of the Reboottle project, reusable wine bottles. A sustainable solution in line with the circular economy and zero waste to reduce the environmental impact of packaging.

After the presentations, discussion was opened among the attendees to answer the questions that arose, especially how to reach the perfect balance between efficiency and market demands. Both entities will continue to collaborate to generate future synergies between associated companies and key players in the Catalan ecosystem. Stay tuned!