The report – Exploring AI for Packaging Circularity, developed alongside Bain & Company – uses market analysis, case study data, and expert interviews with members of The Consumer Goods Forum to highlight four ‘advanced and actionable’ use cases for artificial intelligence.
These include optimized and generative packaging design, with 70% of companies asserting that AI can have the biggest impact in the design of plastic products. Advanced sorting and material traceability are also highlighted, as 40% of respondents claim that AI can help identify where and why materials are lost across the value chain.
Apparently, 30% of companies are already using AI somewhere in the life cycle of their packaging. Applications range from material reduction in the design stage to improving sorting quality at end-of-life.
The report also identifies five ‘pain points’ holding businesses back from scaling up their packaging solutions. These include technical limitations on new packaging materials; ensuring that portfolios are recyclable and recycled in practice; accessing and using more recycled content; establishing refillable and reusable packaging systems; and undertaking the required reporting and gathering accurate data to stay up to date with regulations.
“Packaging circularity requires a step change, and AI can be a powerful tool to help unlock it,” said Cedric Dever, managing director of Plastic Waste at The Consumer Goods Forum. “This paper provides a practical, industry-informed view of where AI is already delivering value today and where collaboration across the value chain will be critical to scale solutions that can truly move the needle.”
Magali Deryckere, Partner at Bain & Co, continued: “AI has proven its ability to drive efficiency and innovation across industries. Packaging circularity is uniquely intricate, requiring trade-offs across recyclability, convenience, carbon performance, safety, and multiple stakeholder needs.
“For challenges with this level of complexity, AI can significantly accelerate the path to viable solutions.”
“AI will not solve packaging circularity on its own, but used in the right way, it can significantly accelerate progress,” added Mario Abreu, chief sustainability officer at Ferrero and Co-Chair of the Plastic Waste Coalition of Action. “This paper helps demystify where to start and how industry players can work together to turn potential into impact.”
