8 OCTOBER 2024OPINIONMartin Rathgeber is the Director of Engineering at Studio One Eleven®, the innovation and design center of Berlin Packaging, where he and the Studio team design sustainable packaging components and systems that create consumer delight, while meeting the rigors of shipping and distribution.A graduate of the University of Stuttgart, Germany, Martin has a passion for getting top-notch user-centered design into production and onto store shelves. He brings with him over 25 years of product development experience. By Martin Rathgeber, Director of Engineering, Studio One ElevenDRIVING HOLISTIC SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING SOLUTIONSCreating sustainable packaging solutions requires a nuanced and comprehensive approach ­ meaning that one-size-fits-all solutions often fall short. Sustainability isn't just a catchphrase; it's part of a complex reality. That's why taking a holistic approach is key to driving sustainable packaging solutions.Driving Holistic Sustainable Packaging SolutionsTrue sustainability in packaging necessitates a holistic understanding of its lifecycle, from creation to disposal. By starting with a brand's packaging requirements & sustainability goals, you can create a best-fit packaging solution and further optimize it for sustainability. Working cross-functionally, such as across design, engineering, and manufacturing departments, ensures that sustainability seamlessly integrates with technical functionality, usability, and visually appealing design.Whether it's optimizing for e-commerce channels or designing for optimal recyclability, it is crucial to consider how a package impacts and is impacted at every stage. For a packaging solution to be truly sustainable, it needs to perform at every stage of its journey, from the warehouse to the consumer. If the product fails at any of these points, then it's not only the packaging that's wasted ­ but often also its content.Optimizing Packaging Solutions for SustainabilityOptimizing a packaging solution means scrutinizing every packaging component. Taking this type of multi-faceted Martin Rathgeber
< Page 7 | Page 9 >