The 10th edition of a conference bringing together packaging, plastics, print and processing professionals has ended in Nairobi, with emphasis on the need for increased collaboration among stakeholders.
This push comes amidst the rapid growth of e-commerce and urbanisation across the East African region.
The expo, which hosted over 150 exhibitors from 35 countries, highlighted both the advancements and persistent challenges within East Africa's packaging sector.
Montgomery, the event organiser, observed the development of new eco-packaging products and stressed the necessity of bolstering partnerships within the region.
"We have had a well-attended Expo with over 5,500 visitors. From key insights, we feel that collaboration in the East African region and especially in Standards development and alignment is very important,’’ Angela Kinyua, managing director at Montgomery Group East Africa, said.
According to her, if a manufacturer is developing a product in Tanzania, then has to come and change it for the Kenyan market, then that becomes a bit difficult for them, hence the need for standardised standards across the region.
“We are encouraging stakeholders to have more collaboration, more partnerships, and more exchange of thoughts". She added that emerging industry trends could be better leveraged through organisational collaboration.”
She noted key emerging trends, including the significant rise of flexible packaging and cold chain solutions in food and beverage processing, adding that the plastics industry is benchmarking with South Africa as a guiding path forward.
East Africa's rapid urbanisation and the surge in e-commerce are driving increased demand for packaging and processing.
Countries in the region are implementing various waste management strategies, many of which can be addressed through eco-packaging approaches.
During the second day of the Expo, themed "Packaging as a Powerful Tool for Social Economic Development in East Africa," Koffi Essuman, Vice President of Education at the World Packaging Organisation (WPO), presented eco-packaging as a significant competitive advantage for businesses.
"Businesses face a growing need to embrace sustainable packaging solutions due to regulatory requirements and a surge in demand for eco-friendly packaging. By adopting these practices, companies can enhance their brand's image, ultimately driving business success".
According to the World Bank’s "What a Waste 2.0" report, over two billion metric tons of municipal solid waste are generated globally each year, with at least 33 percent not being managed in an environmentally safe manner.
The report projects that annual waste generation could reach 3.4 billion metric tons in the coming decades due to rising global populations and rapid urbanization.
