The Packaging Sector Came Together at ‘ASD Packaging Congress'

The Packaging Sector Targets Sustainability and Transformation

'ASD Packaging Congress 2023 – 2^nd International Packaging Industry Congress' was organized under the theme of 'Sustainability Roadmap of the Packaging Industry'. Commenting on the 2-day congress following its conclusion, Mr. Zeki, Sarıbekir, President of ASD said: "Future in the changing world order requires transformation. As the packaging sector, we target environmental, social, and cultural transformation. Therefore, we determined the main theme of our congress as 'Sustainability Roadmap of the Packaging Industry'. We must establish our production processes as the sector on circular economy which is a sustainable production model that keeps resource productivity at the highest level. The incoming customer demands are differentiating. Not just our machinery, but our business manner is also digitalizing. Our sector needs to keep pace with all this. Now our packaging reach 180 countries directly and indirectly. In 2023 when we are proud to celebrate 100^th anniversary of our republic, we are targeting to increase the market share of the Turkish packaging sector from 28 billion dollars to 30 billion dollars and our exports to 10 billion dollars."

Packaging Sector came together at the congress organized by the ASD Turkish Packaging Manufacturers Association with 'Sustainability Roadmap of the Packaging Industry' theme in Istanbul on December 7^th - 8^th. 48 speakers and almost 1000 participants from 13 countries attended the congress that included a total of 14 sessions. Hosted by Mr. Zeki Sarıbekir, President of ASD, President of World Packaging Organization (WPO) Luciana Pellegrino attended the `ASD Packaging Congress 2023 – 2^nd International Packaging Industry Congress' in addition to many invitees. In the closing session of the congress, Mr. Zeki Sarıbekir, Senior Policy Officer of Ellen Mac Artur Foundation Ms. Bahar Koyuncu, Head of Institute of Food and Beverage Innovation Zurich University of Applied Sciences, Head of the Research Center for Food Processing and Packaging Prof. Dr. Mr. Selçuk Yıldırım, and ASD General Secretary Ms. Aslıhan Arıkan gave remarks. Commenting on the 2-day congress, Mr. Zeki Sarıbekir said: "In our congress we assessed together innovations in the packaging sector, aims and future of the sector for sustainable, circular, value-added production and export. We are pleased to organize such a congress and bring our sector together in 2023 when we are proud to celebrate the 100^th anniversary of our Republic."

'WE ARE TARGETING TRANSFORMATION FOR SUSTAINABLE GROWTH'

Mr. Zeki Sarıbekir, President of ASD noted that environmental, social, and cultural transformation must be targeted for sustainable growth in the packaging sector. Emphasizing that production processes must be established on circular economy that is a sustainable production model which keeps resource productivity of production processes at the highest level, Mr. Zeki Sarıbekir said: "The incoming customer demands are differentiating. Not just our machinery, but our business manner is also digitalizing. Our sector needs to keep pace with all this. We must set our targets right and progress with the lessons we learned from our past. We are closely monitoring the change and transformation and continue our efforts to ensure our sector can catch them. As ASD we are targeting to contribute to development of the packaging sector that is the common ground for all sectors in the world and relevant sectors. As a country we have a very strong standing in the global packaging sector. Considering the existing circumstances, when the geographical location of our country, its production capacity, qualified human resource, and our competitive structure, we observe that we have an ever-bigger potential. Worries for the future are increasing in the changing world order. As the packaging sector we are aiming to reduce such worries to a minimum. Therefore, we determined the theme of our congress as 'Sustainability Roadmap of the Packaging Industry'."

'WE MUST ADOPT REUSING AND RECYCLING'

Speaking at the closing session of the congress, Senior Policy Officer at Ellen MacArtur Foundation, Ms. Bahar Koyuncu said: "As a foundation, we made a call for 'Period of Reuse'. Because the most recent findings in our 'Five Years of Global Commitment' report demonstrate that without a substantial transition towards reuse, use of unprocessed plastics in packaging is unlikely to fall below the current levels before 2050. Adopting reuse gives us the opportunity to fight against plastics contamination, mitigate the pressure on our natural resources, and take steps towards net zero. Definitely no organization can realize the required change by itself. Businesses, policy makers, and finance institutions must make a joint effort to that aim."

Head of Institute of Food and Beverage Innovation Zurich University of Applied Sciences, Head of the Research Center for Food Processing and Packaging Prof. Dr. Mr. Selçuk Yıldırım noted that they have ongoing studies to decrease time of degradation and emphasized: "The biodegradable packaging are what will contribute to the economy. In case we collect them correctly and bring them in recycling, that is when we would contribute to the economy. Their removal without causing further negative impact can be logical for countries with no collection systems or with systems that are not yet regularized." 

ASD Packaging Congress 2023 brought production lines that support packaging sector and industry, academics, and representatives of non-governmental organizations.  The sessions that were organized in the congress in order to contribute to development of packaging sector and related sectors were on Circular Economy and Recycling, Packaging Printing Technologies, Packaging Materials and Sustainable Production, Food Packaging Innovations, Packaging Quality and Current Legislation, New Studies in the Packaging Industry, Sustainable Packaging Design and Marketing, Industry 4.0 and Digitalization and Packaging Waste Recovery.

PACKAGED PRODUCT CONTRIBUTE TO THE ENVIRONMENT AND THE ECONOMY

Emphasizing that packaging is a tool that gives information on, protect, transport, and convey the product it contains to the consumer, ASD argues that all stakeholders must act with an integrative approach. It is claimed that the food waste in North America and European countries is sufficient to feed the entire world population. Considering our limited resources, packaged goods that ensure full protection from production to final user ensure especially food are hygienically conveyed to consumers. The packaging that we need must be produced considering its impact on the environment. When packaging is taken into recycling process after the product it contains is used, it contributed to the environment and the economy. ASD emphasizes that focusing on recycling environmentally friendly packaging with support of all stakeholders is significant for sustainability in the world.

Sincerely,

ASD Turkish Packaging Manufacturers Association