The study conducted by Regattieri et al.1 is based on an explorative study of packaging development and packaging logistics, conducted in several Italian companies, from different industrial sectors. After the analysis of the Italian situation, the findings have been compared with the corresponding situation in Sweden. The comparison is mainly based on previous research conducted at the packaging logistics division of Lund University2; 3.
In order to discuss the Italian industrial situation in terms of the packaging system, the authors implemented a questionnaire on packaging and its relationship with logistics, product and the environment. The quantitative content analysis of questionnaires allowed the authors to look in more depth at the Italian situation concerning packaging.
The first interesting data to underline is that more than half of companies (52.1%) think that packaging and its functions are critical and that their sales even depend on packaging (52.2%).
Another interesting analysis relates to packaging functions: protection and containment of the product are considered the most relevant function of packaging since it has effects on all activities throughout the supply chain, followed by product handling and communication (Figure 8.8. Like Italian companies, the packaging function most frequently mentioned by Swedish industries is the protection of products4.
In order to obtain significant results on the product handling function, it is necessary to co-design product and packaging development. Companies are aware of the importance of integrating the development of the product with the development of the package: although a large percentage of Italian companies think the integration packaging and product is important and could reduce costs during the product life cycle, only 34.8% of them develop the packaging and the product at the same time. Italian companies, unlike Swedish ones, usually develop packaging after the designing the product.
In the same way as Swedish industries5, Italian companies also consider logistics and transport an important packaging function. Indeed, 86.3% of companies report evaluating packaging costs from the transport point of view, mainly focusing on compatibility with vehicles and protection of goods (Figure 8.9). This data underlines the importance of the link between packaging and logistics systems: companies know that packaging (in terms of material, shape and size) influences storage, transport and distribution of goods. Although the most respondents compute packaging costs from the logistics point of view, only 39.1% of them report evaluating the total cost of packaging.
The questionnaire also pointed out the importance of the relationship between packaging and the environment: 77.3% of Italian companies report using methods and applications in order to evaluate environmental aspects and 56.5% report recycling packaging materials. It is still a low percentage compared with Swedish data: in Sweden, consumer packages are largely recycled (e.g. 90% of glass, 73% of metal and 74% of paper and cardboard packages6).
The comparison between Italian and Swedish industries’ perception of packaging has highlighted both Sweden’s long-standing tradition in packaging development and in packaging logistics research and practice and the increasing attention of Italian industries on the importance of packaging functions (e.g. logistics and environmental aspects). Italian companies are following the Swedish ones in the development of a packaging logistics system and in the integration of packaging and product development, while maintaining their own characteristics. For more details, see Regattieri et al.7.
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