Sustainability initiatives are fundamentally changing the relationship between consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), actively influencing equipment design, material selection, operational requirements, and supplier expectations throughout the packaging and processing supply chain, according to PMMI’s The Ripple Effect: CPG Sustainability and the New OEM Spec Sheet.
“The sustainability conversation has moved well beyond packaging materials,” says Jorge Izquierdo, VP, market development, PMMI. “Today, sustainability is influencing equipment specifications, production processes, reporting requirements, and supplier relationships. Companies that want to successfully navigate these changes need access to the latest technologies, expertise, and industry insights.”
Key takeaways:
· 82% of end users are actively engaged in sustainability initiatives, while 64% of OEMs say sustainability directly influences equipment design decisions. Additionally, more than half of end users report that limitations in packaging machinery are preventing them from achieving their sustainability goals.
· Industry experts express growing demand for equipment capable of handling lightweighted packaging, post-consumer recycled (PCR) materials, smaller pack sizes, elimination of secondary packaging, and handling other sustainable formats. It also underscores the increasing importance of energy efficiency, waste reduction, sustainability reporting, and compliance with evolving regulations such as Extended Producer Responsibility programs.
