To keep relevant in 2021, we saw many businesses look to invest in research and development, particularly in areas around supply chains, recycling, and new materials. Artificial Intelligence (AI) continued its move from just being a buzzword, to an analytical technique that really improve processes.

AI is becoming established as a way for logistics movements, job scheduling and materials handling, as well as helping identify customers for direct bailouts. AI can be used for document preparation, paper alignment and analysis of print quality. AI can help analyse information about printing presses, optimising parameters, and making predictions around failure and maintenance.

Paper is an important part of the carbon cycle and investigations were made into a number of university-assisted projects to enhance value-add from paper and packaging post-print and post-consumer.

In 2021, the NSSN worked with industry partners, PEGRAS and Labelmakers, to complete the HDPE Recycling project. This cracked the problem of label contamination on HDPE milk bottles. A final report is available for interested stakeholders through NSSN’s website. We also worked on several new research grants to help the manufacturing sector. These tended to focus around smart materials, better recycling processes, the circular economy, as well as AI and machine learning.

This year, the industry needs to continue to invest in sustainability and new technologies that can not only maximise profit and production efficiency, but also, help with keeping the planet in good shape.

Read more in Australian Printer (Page 64) here.

Invest in sustainability and new technologies