Ten(10) Great Topics in the Japanese Packaging Industry in 2008

1.	Corporate earnings squeezed due to soaring raw fuel costs including crude oil and naphtha

In all industrial sectors, corporate management of enterprises of all sizes has been increasingly constrained because of rising raw material and fuel costs. Ordinary households are also suffering from price hikes of all kinds of goods including public utility rates.

2.	False labeling of commodities

False labeling of recycled paper spreading among paper manufacturers and the paper manufacturing industry came to light. A major paper manufacturer publicly admitted to falsifying the recycled pulp combination ratio. Since then other major manufacturers also admitted to such falsification one after another, causing heavy public criticism denouncing the lack of corporate philosophy. In addition, a number of cases where the origin and other information were falsely labeled on products were uncovered in the food industry too, resulting in considerably threatening food safety and security.

3.	Diversification of eco bags (used instead of plastic shopping bags because of portability, brand image, reusability, and fashionability)

While fees for plastic shopping bags have become a norm, a growing number of people are conscious of environmental issues and use ecologically friendly bags or their own bags. Size, stylishness, and strength are emphasized in selecting such bags. For this reason, reusability and fashionability together are gaining ground.

4.	Packages with CO2 emission labels (indicating carbon footprint)

Food manufacturers are taking the initiative to label their products, indicating the amount of CO2 emitted during the production process so that consumers can select ecologically friendly products. Labeling methods and unified representations will be institutionalized in Japan from 2009 and will be implemented step by step thereafter. The institutionalization is expected to create new criteria for selecting ecologically friendly products.

5.	Introducing Reduced Space Symbology (RSS / bar code)

This summer, in order to prevent inadvertent drug administration due to similar drug names, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare adopted a policy of introducing bar codes for pharmaceuticals used by medical institutions. The name, quantity, and serial numbers of chemicals will be registered in bar codes so that the chemical content can be confirmed by using a specialized terminal ID code before each administration or dispensation. To start with, the ministry is planning to implement this method for injection drugs and biopharmaceuticals used by medical institutions.

6.	Food safety - The Food Sanitation Law is going to be changed.

While food safety issues such as pesticide residue in Chinese-made frozen dumplings and false labeling of beef croquettes are attracting public attention, the codes and standards of the Food Sanitation Law will be modified. The changes will also be applied to containers and packaging such as glass and ceramics, and standards for dairy products containers. Additional labeling including indicating allergic substances will also be implemented.

7.	Desiccant-free hygroscopic resin has been developed.

Moist Catch®, which has moisture-absorption properties, which is a characteristic of desiccant, and workability, which is a characteristics of resin, has been developed. This product will replace conventional desiccants. Unlike conventional desiccants, Moist Catch® is free of worry about powder scattering, product contamination, and accidental ingestion. Processing such as plastic film fabrication and molding depending on the intended use is also possible.

8.	Weight and size reduction of beverage plastic bottles is moving ahead at a fast pace.

Responding to the high cost of resources worldwide, new technologies for reducing the weight and size of containers made of materials such as resin, metal, and glass have been developed and put into practical use.

9.	Japan Corrugated Case Association (Zendanren) announced CO2 emissions intensity produced during the process of corrugated cardboard production.

Zendanren announced the emissions intensity (emissions per unit of production) and CO2 emission amount due to corrugated cardboard production calculated based on the results of its LCI (Life Cycle Interpretation) basic research conducted in 2007. According to the announcement, CO2 emission caused by producing 1 m2 cardboard box is 352.5 grams, of which 62.5g is from plant operation for manufacturing corrugated cardboard and 290.0g from producing base paper of corrugated cardboard.

10.	Tokyo Pack 2008 was held on a grand scale.

The Tokyo International Packaging Exhibition (Tokyo Pack 2008) was held at the Big Site for five days from October 7 through 11. Under the theme of "Packaging to create a good environment and clean earth," more than 500 companies participated as exhibitors while the number of registered visitors from Japan and abroad was over 196,000.

Selected & reported by the Institutes of Packaging Professionals, Japan