Antalis appoints head of innovation and design

The appointment comes in response to the increasingly complex needs of customers seeking to fulfill their requirements for packaging materials while improving the sustainability and carbon footprint of their businesses. 

‘I am passionate about the environment, but I am also very aware that what we have seen happen during the last couple of years is a hasty reaction against plastics, which is effectively shifting the burden elsewhere – there is quite a lot of greenwashing out there now. Fiber-based products are recyclable, so we won’t see them floating in the sea, but they come with a carbon impact of their own, which cannot be ignored,’ said Garner. 

Garner will be looking at the broader picture and engaging with a range of organizations and institutions, including universities, trade bodies, and the CBI, to help lead and influence the debate around packaging and understand what can be done to minimize the impact of all aspects of the supply chain and beyond. He will also be working within Antalis to research and develop new substrates and explore new technologies, such as robotics, that will help customers meet their business needs.  

‘Reducing the carbon and other impacts of packaging and packaging operations doesn’t always come down to the choice of packaging materials; there are other factors at play such as efficiency, right-sizing, and ensuring the packaging used will deliver the least environmental impact. I am also keen to share that plastic can actually be the most sustainable, low-carbon option, depending on the nature of a customer’s business, what is being packed, and where it is being sent. I’m really excited about the job at hand; I am looking forward to having lots of straightforward, honest conversations with people from all areas with a vested interest in ensuring packaging is as sustainable as it can be,’ concluded Garner.