In an era where innovation and sustainability are at the core, Daniele Ponzinibbi, CEO of ACMA, shares his insights into strategic vision, regulations and packaging design
As consumer demands evolve and sustainability takes centre stage, the packaging industry faces increasing pressure to innovate while maintaining efficiency and cost-effectiveness. ACMA, a Coesia company with a century-long legacy, continues to lead the way in packaging machinery for consumer goods. At the helm is CEO Daniele Ponzinibbi, who is driving the company’s commitment to technological advancement, digitalisation, and eco-friendly solutions. In this exclusive interview, Ponzinibbi shares insights into ACMA’s approach to sustainable packaging, the evolving role of automation, and how the company is navigating regulatory and supply chain challenges to shape the future of packaging machinery.
Please introduce yourself and tell us what you do…
I am Daniele Ponzinibbi, CEO of ACMA, a Coesia company, manufacturer of packaging machinery for the consumer goods market, based in Bologna, Italy. Under my leadership, ACMA continues to drive innovation in key sectors such as food, confectionery, home and personal care, and e-commerce. In 2024, we proudly celebrated ACMA’s 100th anniversary and we took the occasion to launch ACMA Next, an innovative Research & Development laboratory focused on sustainability, technological innovation, and digitalisation. I firmly believe that the future of our industry lies in these areas, and with ACMA Next, we are positioning ourselves as a key player in shaping that future.
What is the biggest challenge in developing sustainable packaging without compromising functionality and cost? How is this overcome?
Ensuring that new eco-friendly materials maintain the same functionality, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness as traditional ones. Many sustainable materials have different mechanical properties, which can impact processing, sealing, and overall machine performance. The key is to adapt packaging technologies to handle these materials without compromising efficiency, quality, or product protection.
At ACMA, we collaborate with material suppliers and our customers to tackle this challenge by testing new packaging materials for our machines such as flow packs and wrappers. A great example is the FP Paper Smart Line, which we presented at ProSweets 2025— a flow pack line designed to handle sustainable paper-based packaging for confectionery products without compromising performance.
We also leverage advanced automation and digitalisation to fine-tune machine parameters, reducing waste and improving adaptability. This allows manufacturers to transition to sustainable packaging seamlessly, without sacrificing performance or cost-efficiency.
How do you see the balance between automation and human expertise evolving in packaging production?
The balance is evolving towards collaboration, where technology enhances human capabilities.
AI, robotics, and digitalisation improve efficiency and precision, but human expertise remains key for innovation and problem-solving. At ACMA, we focus on smart systems that provide real-time insights, enabling operators to optimise processes. A great example is the ACMA Vision System, showcased at ProSweets 2025 on our flow pack Line, which enhances quality control through advanced automation.
Through ACMA Next, we ensure automation handles repetitive tasks while skilled professionals fine-tune performance. This synergy boosts productivity, flexibility, and sustainability, helping manufacturers adapt to market demands efficiently.
How are shifting consumer preferences influencing packaging design and production?
Shifting consumer preferences are significantly shaping the future of packaging design and production, with a strong emphasis on sustainability, convenience, and personalisation. Today’s consumers are not only demanding packaging made from eco-friendly and recyclable materials but also expect it to maintain high standards of functionality, durability, and aesthetic appeal. This has created a complex challenge for manufacturers, requiring them to develop solutions that reduce environmental impact while ensuring product protection, ease of use, and an engaging consumer experience.
To meet these evolving expectations, manufacturers must strike a delicate balance between sustainability, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. At ACMA, we address this by continuously advancing our packaging machinery to accommodate new and innovative materials, such as recyclable and compostable substrates, without compromising production efficiency or product integrity. Our focus is on optimising machine adaptability, ensuring that manufacturers can transition seamlessly to sustainable packaging solutions while maintaining high levels of performance, reliability, and visual appeal in their final products.
Read the full interview in our latest issue here
