‘Consumers have come to appreciate the safety, speed and convenience of buying products online, however many are increasingly concerned about how their goods are packaged and delivered, and how easy it is to recycle materials used,’ said Samantha Choles, communications manager for The Paper Manufacturers Association of South Africa (PAMSA).

PAMSA enlisted South Africa as one of the 16 countries that participated in this year’s global ‘Trend Tracker Survey’. The biennial consumer research study, driven by Two Sides, seeks to understand consumer perceptions towards print and paper products, looking specifically at environmental awareness, reading habits, and packaging preferences.

The global survey questioned more than 10,000 consumers on their preferences and opinions regarding various packaging types, their attributes and their impact. Some 58% prefer products ordered online to be delivered in paper packaging while 56% are actively taking steps to increase their use of paper packaging.

‘Paper’s environmental credentials stack up especially in terms of recyclability and renewability. Of course, paper remains a versatile, beautiful material and adds to the tactile experience for the consumer,’ noted Choles.

Packaging plays an important part in the purchasing decision from displaying vital product information to protecting its contents. Consumers were asked to rate various packaging materials: paper/cardboard, plastic, glass and metal, against 15 environmental, visual and physical attributes.

In 10 of the 15 attributes presented, paper/cardboard scored the highest among South African consumers: better for environment (55%), less expensive (56%), home compostable (65%), lighter weight (50%), safer to use (47%), easier to recycle (42%), easier to open/close (44%), better information about the product (39%), easier to store (32%) and more practical (36%).

A significant 77% of South African consumers said they would actively support retailers who offer a packaging return system while 60% would buy more from retailers who remove plastic from their packaging. Just more than half of consumers would consider avoiding a retailer that is not actively trying to reduce their use of non-recyclable packaging.

South African consumers are demanding that retailers do more to ensure their packaging is widely recyclable, and 42% believe that paper-based packaging is easier to recycle than other materials.

Recycling data reflects this belief to a certain extent: in South Africa, just less than 61% of paper and paper packaging (1.25 million tonnes) was recycled in 2022. Metal packaging has the highest recycling rate of 76%, while glass is 44% with the recovery of various plastics trailing at 43%.

A large proportion of consumers (80%) prefer products ordered online to be delivered in appropriately sized packaging to reduce waste, with 58% preferring paper packaging for online orders.

Consumers Want Government To Do More About Single Use, Non-Recyclable Packaging

Consumers were asked to rank who they believe has the most responsibility for reducing the use of non-recyclable single-use packaging:

36% believe that governments and local authorities carry most responsibility in this area. A quarter of the respondents feel that individuals should take responsibility through their personal choices. 18% believe packaging manufacturers, brands and producers should be the leaders. Only 4% felt that retailers and supermarkets carried the most responsibility.

More than 60% of respondents agreed that non-recyclable packaging should be discouraged through taxation. South Africa’s extended producer responsibility (EPR) regulations, gazetted in 2021, has seen a levy imposed on a variety of packaging materials. EPR seeks to drive more circular and sustainable supply chains by designing packaging for better recycling and thus reducing the volumes that go to landfill.

‘South Africa has some good examples of brands leading the way, especially with packaging design and substitution, and ensuring local recyclability, while also being fit-for-purpose and safe for food contact,’ said Choles.

Paper Regains Its Place On The Supermarket Shelf

At PAMSA’s roundtable in July, Don MacFarlane, packaging senior at Woolworths, explained how paper and board are no longer just used for shipment or tertiary packaging. MacFarlane noted that trends show a move back to cartonboard or paper packaging from multilayer plastic flexibles for products like washing powder.

Along with the switch to paperboard punnets for fruit and vegetables, engineered paper is increasingly being used as primary packaging for dry goods, confectionery, and snacks, with an example being Nestlé Smarties.

Choles echoed, ‘For the circular economy to work, each of us has a role to play – starting with designing products or packaging for recycling or re-use, through to responsible disposal and separation-at-source by individuals in households, schools or offices. Closing the loop can be further enabled by retailers and businesses who implement convenient collection programmes or employ reverse logistics.’

Checkers’ Sixty60’s paper grocery bag return programme is a great example of this. The first to use paper bags for online delivery, Sixty60 also enables customers to send their used bags back with the driver.

PAPER MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION OF SOUTH AFRICA
+27 11 803 5063
info@thepaperstory.co.za
www.thepaperstory.co.za

Visitors were inspired by the latest technologies and trends in litho print solutions, encapsulating and laminating, digital label printing, branding, binding equipment, digital packaging solutions, graphics, digital printing and more.

Exhibitors had positive feedback about the event:

‘It was good. We got a few good customers,’ said Jarrid Cloete from Riso Africa.

‘It was fantastic, probably the best show that we’ve had this year. We did such good business. Compliments to Sign Africa for such a great effort. Our Business Forum event was brilliant. The speakers were absolutely amazing, and it’s a topic we are going to take around the country, to Pretoria and Johannesburg, as well as to KZN this year, so if you’re in these regions, come through and join us,’ said Abisha Katerere, Printing SA.

‘It was lovely. We interacted with a lot of new people,’ said Lerato Senna, JG Electronics.

‘Overall it was great. It was only two days, but we met many current customers and clients, who we had a long talk with. We sold one machine to a current client, a 3D printer, and we will install it and offer training. There were many potential clients,’ said Jay Kim, Exion Corp.

‘We experienced quality leads, so the people that arrived came with intent. They knew what they wanted, they were very specific and they were from the industry. We were satisfied,’ said Angelique Greer, Midcomp.

‘The show was good, with a lot of good interest. I think we did well and I am positive about it,’ said Jordan Steinbach, Uprint.

‘It was busy. There were good leads, and we saw customers from other areas we didn’t know about, so that was really good. It’s always good to socialise and interact with other people in the industry, and see whats new,’ said Illze Bester, Kolok.

‘I was pleasantly surprise about the type and amount of people at the show, and the whole atmosphere. It went really well and was well organised,’ said Graham Roy, Graficomp.

‘The show was a success and it was well planned, I liked it. The market seems to be growing in a business sense. These shows give us opportunities to grow in different sectors or areas in the country. It has been positive for us,’ said Tony Arriah, Stixo.

‘The feedback was positive. There were a lot of people that came through and they asked a lot of questions. I’m sure we are going to get a lot of leads and sales from the show,’ said Mustapha Jacobs from Rexx Screen & Digital Supplies.

Judges visited each stand at the expo and judged the stands according to criteria based on design, staff friendliness and professionalism. The results are as follows:

Africa Print Small Floor Space

Winner: Graficomp

Africa Print Small Shell Scheme

Winner: Kemtek

Africa Print Medium Floor Space

Winner: Printing SA

Africa Print Medium Shell Scheme

Winner: Riso Africa.

Sign Africa Small Shell Scheme

Winner: Uprint Digital Direct.
Runner-up: JG Electronics.

Sign Africa Small Floor Space

Winner: Fastsigns Africa (Exion Corp).
Runner-up: Kolok.

Sign Africa Medium Shell Scheme

Winner: Midcomp.
Runner-up: Chemosol.

Sign Africa Medium Floor Space

Winner: Stixo Signage Supplies.
Runner-up: Speedwrap Challenge.

Sign Africa Large Floor Space

Winner: Graphix Supply World.
Runner-up: Indisol.

AFRICA PRINT EXPO
+27 11 568 1894
www.africaprintexpo.com

Durst offers specific ink sets based on UV or Water Technology for its large format and graphics, label and flexpack and corrugated printing segments. These inks combine high system stability, low ink consumption, a large colour space and a wide range of applications. The Durst P5 350 press, including the HS model, will also be spotlighted for packaging applications.

Durst will be showcasing the wide range of applications possible for customers on its Tau inkjet single-pass presses on its stand at Packaging Innovations and Empack at the NEC in Birmingham, UK, from 25-26 May. Packaging applications, which will include a focus on Durst’s acclaimed water-based ink technology and P5 wide format platform, will also be part of the show offering.

Peter Bray, Managing Director of Durst UK and Ireland, said, ‘Packaging Innovations and Empack is a another important platform for us to continue to push forward our market-leading RSC Tau and P5 systems, service and software, as well as our inks, in markets where we have a growing presence. All our customers can count on Durst’s continuous development of RSC technology as we continue to push the boundaries of innovation as part of our pixel to output strateg. We look forward to welcoming showgoers to our stand.’

DURST
https://www.durst-group.com/

The Institute has been busy speaking with consumers to better understand how and if attitudes and behaviors have shifted. This 45 minute presentation will provide an outline of the wider consumer picture whilst also highlighting the challenges and potential opportunities for business and brands in the post-Covid era.

Egan and Lappeman lead the work at the UCT Liberty Institute of Strategic Marketing. Their work on South African consumer behaviour and marketing has been presented in local and international boardrooms across categories. Their work has also been published in international journals like the Journal of International Marketing, the International Journal of Market Research and the European Business Review, to name a few. Their most recent textbook ‘Marketing to South African Consumers’ has had 55,000 downloads since its launch in 2021.

The forum is sponsored by platinum sponsors Fujifilm and Kyocera.

Order of events: 

09:30-10am: Arrival and registration – tea and coffee.
10am-10:10: Welcome and chamber update, Lucas McDowall, Cape Chamber Chairperson.
10:10 – 10:50: Speaker presentation, ‘Picking Up the Pieces’, UCT Liberty Institute of Strategic Marketing, Paul Egan and Dr James Lappeman.
10:50-11:00: Q&A.
11am-11:15: Printing SA national update, Abisha Katerere, Head of Marketing and B-BBEE specialist.
11:15 – 11:30: Printing SA National Training and Development Update, Ken Leid, National Training and Development Director.
11:30-11:50: Sponsor presentations, Fujifilm and Kyocera.
11:50-12pm: Vote of thanks and closing, Gerwin Africa, Acting Cape Chamber Manager.
12-2pm: light lunch and networking.

RSVP to desdemona@printingsa.org. Limited seats available.

The exhibition delivers a wide array of products and technologies which can help you find new and inspiring ideas for your print business. Entrance is free, please register online.

PRINTING SA
+27 11 287 1160
info@printingsa.org
http://www.printingsa.org

Explore litho print solutions, encapsulating and laminating, digital label printing, branding, binding equipment, digital packaging solutions, graphics, digital printing and more at the event.

Visitors will have the opportunity to see live demonstrations of new technology, equipment and substrates, software, applications and more, all under one roof.

Entrance is free, please register online.

AFRICA PRINT EXPO
+27 11 568 1894
www.africaprintexpo.com

Printing SA represent the interests of the printing, packaging, branding, creative design, marketing and communications industries. They ensure the industry is sustainable and that all stakeholders and, in particular, its members prosper.

Visitors will have the opportunity to speak to representatives to find out about their member benefits, such as: human resources consultancy services; industrial relations consultancy services; B-BBEE advisory and consultancy services; commercial, technical and legal expertise; industry representation and training.

The new Printing SA member benefits include:

1. Print, packaging, signage and visual communications medical cover: Agility and Health Squared have partnered with Printing SA to bring you a one of a kind medical offering for you and your staff that is specifically tailored for the industry.

2. Productivity SA: The Competitiveness Improvement Services Programme is aimed at improving the competitiveness in the South African print, packaging, signage and visual communications industry as it has to compete against international competitors in the international and domestic markets. It is an investment cost-sharing grant for local entities.

3. SASFIN Finance: Printing SA Associate member SASFIN provides a comprehensive range of specialist financial products and services for Business and Wealth clients including equipment finance, forex and guarantees and funding to these entrepreneur groups and companies.

4. Members’ Portal: Members now have exclusive access to a host of great online tools from industry research, tenders, RFP’s/Q’s, marketing material, templates and so much more.

The event will comply with current Covid-19 regulations to keep visitors and exhibitors safe. Entrance is free, please register online.

PRINTING SA
+27 11 287 1160
info@printingsa.org
http://www.printingsa.org