The climate imperative
The effects of climate change are increasingly being felt by billions of people around the world through more regular and intense storms, heat waves, wildfires and floods. At the same time, international organisations are making even bleaker climate predictions with grave implications for the coming decades.
With 79 per cent of consumers believing that we must change our habits, they look to brands to provide more sustainable options and transparent information to base their purchasing decisions on. Climate concerns are clearly shaping consumer behaviour – from all-out ‘climatarianism’ to making incremental but meaningful changes to their dietary choices.
Our blended lives
Consumer eating and shopping habits have transformed since the pandemic as more people work from home. The fact that 65 per cent of consumers say they now shop more online because of working from home places new demands on products that are home delivered. At the same time, technological development offers new opportunities to create convenient hybrid physical-digital spaces with more joyful, sensory experiences – which are much appreciated in uncertain times. With many consumers already expecting restaurants to incorporate new technologies, and social media platforms shaping what food discovery looks like, brands will come under increasing pressure to innovate and adapt to our blended lives.
Digitalisation
Innovative digital and artificial intelligence solutions for dairy farming are already enhancing nutritional security, animal health and productivity. The next generation of solutions will promote cow welfare and well-being while drawing on sensor systems and algorithms to enable farmers to make better informed decisions. Digitalisation will enable more sustainable dairy operations by promoting resource efficiency, profitability and traceability in the food chain. New digital solutions have the potential to create opportunities for new kinds of partnerships and business models that can drive further innovation in the dairy industry in the years ahead.
Farm automation
The automation of farm processes is an ongoing trend around the world. Greater automation is being driven by shortages in skilled labour and rising labour costs, such as through increasing minimum wages. At the same time, many family-owned farms experience difficulties with generational shifts. In response to these challenges, dairy farmers are increasingly investing in automated milking, feeding and other farm processes, such as manure handling. The investment in automation or semi-automation is also often a prerequisite for new generations taking over family-owned farms.
Smart sustainable packaging
With raw materials accounting for between 70 and 80 per cent of a bottle’s cost, optimising the amount of materials used can realise significant savings, promote resource efficiency and reduce climate impact. Optimising packaging involves using less materials and reducing weight while ensuring the final bottle is still strong and reflects the customers’ brand values. For bottles made from recycled PET, it is increasingly important to ensure best-in-class weight and quality, and that returnable PET bottles have a high level of resistance to withstand numerous washing cycles. At the same time, local regulations on tethered caps are being enforced in Europe, which means that sustainability must be designed in early to stay ahead of the latest requirements.
Next-generation digital technologies to unlock packaging line potential
Advanced digital solutions are increasingly important in a world where agility is essential to overcome challenges by making faster and smarter decisions. Such solutions are essential to help customers achieve the highest possible levels of production performance without compromising operational costs, product quality or environmental impact. Cutting-edge technology is being driven by innovations in Internet of Things (IOT) and generative artificial intelligence. In terms of line performance, advanced digital solutions can drive efficiency by aggregating and analysing equipment data 24/7 and offering real-time information and alerts – to help customers achieve the best possible production and performance.
