The cardboard asparagus basket from Offsetdruckerei Schwarzach was honoured with the European Carton Excellence Award last year. "The structural design of the asparagus basket is an all-round successful solution," reports Robert Keller. "It is made from sustainable materials, is supplied flat and therefore space-saving, and is easy to set up and fill. The handling is well-thought-out from carrying to opening, and you have a good view of the product inside. The feedback has been consistently positive. The solution is most popular in Germany."
Robert Keller.
"We've noticed that the market is very price-sensitive," remarks Keller, but emphasises: "Our solutions are in constant demand, which makes us happy. Of course, the asparagus basket is a highlight because it has also attracted a lot of attention. But we have the right product for every requirement in our range, which is why the response to our products is consistently good. And we don't have anything that is losing so much importance that we wouldn't continue to pursue it."
Monitoring the PPWR
The market is undergoing radical change as a result of the Packaging Ordinance, and Offsetdruckerei Schwarzach has also noticed this. "Yes, the PPWR will keep us very busy over the next few years," agrees Keller. "We are keeping a very close eye on what needs to be implemented and when. At the moment, the deadlines and design-for-recycling rules are still very vague."
"We mainly supply the DACH region, as the transport costs would simply be too high from a certain distance. We don't see any major differences in these countries and they are all on the right track. The question here is rather whether the interventions by the PPWR do more harm than good to an established system, at least in the short term. And Switzerland has all the options anyway. We are looking forward to the coming developments. Also in the area of other materials."
Compared to other sustainable materials, paper and cardboard are "still doing well", says Keller. "The cycle works and as a marketing tool - keyword printability - we don't have to shy away from any comparison. As already mentioned, we will of course continue to keep a close eye on what is happening here and continue to try to enrich the market with innovative, ecological solutions."
The company's headquarters in Schwarzach (Vorarlberg).
Great customer interest
"expoSE is one of the few trade fairs where we are actively involved because it has potential and the costs are still affordable. There was a lot of interest from customers, and we can always make good new contacts in Karlsruhe. Interest in cardboard solutions is unbroken, as we have been able to largely maintain our prices and availability has eased. We presented an easy-to-use hybrid solution there that combines the advantages of different materials; Top-Seal trays have long been a hot topic," concludes Keller.
Pictures: Offsetdruckerei Schwarzach
For more information:
Robert Keller
Offsetdruckerei Schwarzach
Hofsteigstraße 104
A-6858 Schwarzach
[email protected]
www.offset.at/de