The product innovation process at Faller Packaging

Paper pouches provide a good example of how the product innovation process (PIP) works:

• At the start, the task to be handled was discussed in detail by those involved in the project. Here the focus was on the market and target group. The aim was to gain a thorough understanding of the dynamics and challenges involved.
• Then material experts were consulted in order to choose the paper that was best suited to meet the needs of the pharmaceutical and healthcare industry.
• Next, three different pouch prototypes were manufactured: one for a tray and pen, one for two blister packs, and one for a pen only.
• Then, in order to verify the planned CO₂ reduction, Faller Packaging commissioned a life cycle assessment (LCA) in which the three prototypes were compared with a folding carton. The result was convincing: the pouch with a pen generated 90 percent less CO₂.
• The final test looked at feasibility. Manufacturing the pouches by machine was not a problem. The important question was their stability in transport. When properly packed in a larger carton, the pouches showed hardly and signs of damage.