• The PackagingNET are a meeting point organised by the Packaging Cluster with the aim of encouraging networking among its associate members and key agents
• The first meeting took place on 21 February, with more than 25 professionals from the sector
• The renowned Catalan businessman Enric Crous was the guest of honour

On 21 February, 25 representatives of the packaging sector met at the Hotel Qgat in Sant Cugat del Vallés as part of the first PackagingNET. These are conferences organised by the Packaging Cluster, which will be held in 2023 with the ultimate goal of enabling its 130 associated companies and entities to connect with the packaging ecosystem and the main representatives of complementary industries.

At this first meeting, Martina Font Olivé - president of the Packaging Cluster, Corporate Director of Font Packaging Group and CEO of Kartox - welcomed and introduced the special guest, Enric Crois i Millet, a Catalan businessman of reference who has dedicated his entire career to the generation of value and wealth in the territory.

The former CEO of the Damm Group for nearly 30 years, briefly explained how he managed to transform Damm into an international brand, which went from a turnover of 300 million euros to 1,500 million euros, and which today has more than 5,000 employees. As Enric Crous explained, in the beginning 90% of beer sales were centralised in Catalonia and in 2022, Catalonia accounts for 45% of its market share, while 40% is distributed in Spain and 15% in the international market.

With these figures, logistics and distribution are a key element for Damm in its development, especially considering the diversification of its offer, which currently includes beers such as: Estrella Damm, Voll-Damm, Inedit, Malquerida or Xibeca. Damm's marketing work was also highlighted, which has managed to position the brand as a creative and artistic leader in the transmission of values aligned with the new generations: natural, sustainable, social and Mediterranean.

After the his reflections, the attendees shared coffee and contacts with the rest of the participants in a speed dating activity. Companies such as Dribia, E21 Design Technologies, Font Packaging Group, GCR Group, Grafopack, Carinsa Group, TEB Cooperative Group, Hinojosa, Imes3D, Inka Palet, Leng d’Or, Menshen, Promerca (Proflexo) or Quadpack; or entities such as Agència de Residus de Catalunya, the Technological Centre Leitat or Associació Diversitat Funcional d’Osona (ADFO); participated in the first PackagingNET.

On a quarterly basis, PackagingNET will be held with guests who inspire reflection and debate among those present and, above all, a desire to connect. "Thanks to the organisation of the #PackagingNET conferences, we want to promote meetings between our members and members of the sector to respond to the needs of companies and promote project opportunities or exchange experiences with which to expand the knowledge of the industry", says Judith Marti Porta, expert in Digital Marketing of the cluster and responsible for the PackagingNET. In May, the next PackagingNET!