PTIS V2
Why It Matters
The findings compel packaging leaders to adopt AI and circularity strategies now, or risk falling behind as brand owners assume regulatory and market pressure for sustainable packaging.
Key Takeaways
- •AI accelerates packaging development, cutting time‑to‑market by months.
- •Circularity emerges as both biggest opportunity and risk through 2035.
- •Brand owners, not retailers, will lead future sustainable packaging initiatives.
- •Technical literacy and AI training become essential soft skills for packagers.
- •Continuous foresight monitoring and AI agents help manage rapid industry changes.
Summary
The PTIS v2 briefing, presented by co‑founder Brian Wagner at the TransPack Forum, outlines the latest three‑year foresight study that projects packaging trends from 2025 to 2035. The research, built on a global thought‑leader survey, highlights an unprecedented acceleration of technology—especially generative AI and quantum computing—and its direct impact on packaging speed, quality, and data analytics. Key findings show AI already shaving months off product‑to‑market cycles for giants like Nestlé, while Amazon’s visual‑sensing systems are redefining material identification and recycling. The study also flags circularity as the dual‑edged greatest opportunity and risk, with brand owners projected to become the primary drivers of sustainable packaging, outpacing retailers and regulators. Wagner’s memorable quote, “you can’t predict, but you can prescribe,” underscores the need for AI literacy; he cites tools such as Microsoft Copilot, Gamma AI, and Claude that are reshaping slide decks and decision‑making. The survey also reveals a resurgence of soft skills—collaboration, communication, and empathy—paired with technical expertise as critical competencies for future packaging professionals. For executives, the implication is clear: embed AI training, monitor weak and strong signals through dedicated foresight roles, and prioritize circular design. Leveraging AI agents for technology scouting can free senior staff to focus on strategy, while brand owners must prepare for heightened responsibility under evolving EPR and PPWR regulations.
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