TAKEAWAYS Shaping the Future of the Global Supply Chain
Technology Leads the Pack Packaging used to be simply for protecting and identifying a product; now it helps drive sales. Smart packaging—which uses technology to enhance user engagement, product quality, and supply chain ef ciency—is the latest iteration, according to Smart Packaging 2023-2033 , a new report from IDTechEx. Establishing business models that utilize these technologies to unlock value for brands and consumers will grow the smart packaging market to $2.6 billion in 2033, IDTechEx forecasts. This gure covers just the electronics hardware; the smart packaging market value will be much higher if infrastructure, software, and services are included. Smart packing comprises a range of current and emerging technologies, often with different purposes. These include: • RFID for wireless item identi cation—usually invisible to the consumer— as well as other identi cation technologies, including QR codes and capacitive ink approaches. • Electronic Articles Surveillance (EAS) for anti-theft—usually invisible to the consumer. • Data loggers for temperature, shock, vibration, and time and location monitoring. • Interactive smart packaging including light-up, and measuring, such as smart blister packs. • Printed, exible, and organic electronics , including displays, sensors, and batteries. • Chemical indicators for temperature, frozen chemical visual indicators, and active packaging for produce and pharmaceutical monitoring.
AIR CARGO GROUNDED The global air cargo market may have to hang on until October for signs of a recovery. A flood of summer bellyhold capacity on major lanes and a 4% drop in demand in April 2023 indicates challenging months ahead, according to new analysis from CLIVE Data Services, part of Xeneta. Air freight spot rates dropped 41% versus April 2022 as a 7% rise in cargo capacity resulted in lower load factors and a 14th consecutive month of falling volumes year-over-year. CLIVE’s dynamic load factor—which measures global volume and weight perspectives of cargo flown and available capacity—dropped 5% versus 2022 to 57% in April, continuing a more than year-long decline. Summer capacity had its traditionally significant impact on the air cargo market from Europe to North America, with capacity up 26% in comparison to March 2023. Data showed a 10% decrease in load factor across the North Atlantic to 57% in April, compared to the 67% level recorded to major North American airports in March. It remains uncertain whether a rise in demand will come in Q4, as the industry anticipates.
SOURCE: IDTechEx
16 Inbound Logistics • June 2023
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