The strong focus on safeguarding and conserving consumable resources puts all aspects of packaging under scrutiny. Considerable attention is rightly being placed on limiting so-called overpackaging and adopting materials and processes throughout the entire supply chain that minimise environmental impact. Whilst paper and cardboard are materials that can be recycled up to eight times, a truly sustainable approach requires analysis of the entire product life cycle, from design to disposal.
At ICO, the adoption of advanced production technologies in synergy with reduced flute profiles and lightweight papers enables the production of reduced-weight cardboard, with consequent reduction in associated CO₂ emissions, whilst delivering significantly improved strength and printability performance.
These improvements integrate with the evolution of packaging machinery, enabling us to offer complete and high-performing packaging solutions.
Whilst box production remains the company's core business, we are expanding our offering with products that serve higher value-added market segments, such as point-of-purchase displays. In this area, customisation and engineering expertise are essential elements for achieving adequate functional efficiency, maintaining mono-material construction - useful for facilitating proper end-of-life product differentiation - and offering industrial design that is carefully detailed and aesthetically appealing.
To this is added large-format digital printing directly onto cardboard, with all that this entails in terms of print run flexibility and graphic variability.
To support handling and modularity, we also design accessory components that are easily integrated, separable and reusable. This is the case, for example, with PopWheels - wheeled plastic supports that are 3D printed and applied under the base of a PoP model to improve functionality and extend service life.
We approach problems with method and expertise, proposing reasoned, reasonable and sustainable solutions beyond emphatic proclamations.
