TraceGains and Esko have demonstrated a connected product and packaging workflow that moved a fictional food product from concept change to finished pouches within 48 hours at the recent Esko World event in New Orleans.
The ‘Big Easy’ project tested how product development, compliance, packaging artwork and production processes could be linked when responding to consumer, regulatory and market changes. During the demonstration, a new ingredient was added to the fictional product, before its packaging was redesigned and label and nutritional information updated. Finished pouches were then delivered to event attendees within two days.
The workflow combined the TraceGains network with Esko’s packaging and artwork management solutions. AI-supported capabilities and connected workflows were used across reformulation, artwork creation, review, approval and production, while product and packaging information was synchronised throughout the process.
Paul Bradley, senior director of product marketing at TraceGains, said reformulation and packaging changes are increasingly required as food and beverage manufacturers respond to consumer preferences, regulations, sustainability commitments, ingredient shortages and cost pressures.
“When a product changes, ingredients, nutritional values, supplier documentation, claims, labels, artwork and approvals must all stay aligned,” Bradley said.
The companies also linked the demonstration to the approaching implementation of the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, which will require many manufacturers to review packaging formats, materials, labelling requirements and sustainability claims.
Jan De Roeck, Esko marketing director, said: “The Big Easy demonstrated how rapidly brands can move from change to execution when packaging workflows are connected to trusted product and compliance data.”
The companies said the 48-hour exercise was intended to demonstrate connected workflows rather than establish a standard two-day timeline for packaging projects across product, compliance, artwork and production management teams.