I recently decided to “kick the tires” of a new AI platform dedicated exclusively to the packaging sector.

In December, we reported that the Brazilian packaging industry now has access to a unique knowledge-dissemination tool: the Inteligência de Embalagem (Packaging Intelligence) 5.0 platform.

Inteligência de Embalagem 5.0 (IE 5.0) is touted as the first AI solution exclusively and fully dedicated to the packaging sector and its professionals, covering the entire value chain — from materials conversion to consumption and, ultimately, recycling.

I had the pleasure in January of meeting in São Paulo with the creators of the initiative: Professor Fábio Mestriner, a leading authority in packaging design and innovation, and digital marketing strategist Carlos Eduardo Raia.

IE 5.0 is the result of a Brazilian startup that combined technology, curated knowledge, and the active participation of the sector’s expert community. The project benefits from AWS Activate Credits for Startups, offered by AWS (Amazon Web Services), which also provides technical support and computational infrastructure. Our reporting on IE 5.0 in December can be found here.

The founders plan the international launch of the Business Pro version of Inteligência de Embalagem 5.0 in Germany, in May 2026, during interpack.

In the meantime, Fábio and Eduardo were gracious enough to let me take IE 5.0 for a test spin. Below are a couple questions that I entered into the system along with portions of the responses that I received. The responses were very elaborate, so I included here just some of the highlights.

What were some important developments during 2005-2006 in lightweighting for food and beverage packaging in North America?

The 2005-2006 period represented an important transitional moment for lightweighting in North American food and beverage packaging. Economic drivers — particularly rising petroleum and transportation costs — created strong incentives for weight reduction, while technological advances made significant lightweighting achievable. The beverage industry, particularly soft drink and water manufacturers, led the charge, with plastic bottles and aluminum cans undergoing substantial optimization.

While environmental considerations were not yet the primary driver of lightweighting during this period, they were increasingly recognized as a co-benefit. The regulatory environment in North America remained less prescriptive than in Europe, meaning that lightweighting was primarily market-driven rather than mandated.

The 2005-2006 period represented an important transitional moment for lightweighting in North American food and beverage packaging.

By how much did the molded fiber packaging market in the United States grow between 2024 and 2025?

While specific 2024-2025 growth figures were not available in the research findings, the molded fiber packaging market in the United States has been characterized by several important trends:

The molded fiber packaging sector has experienced sustained growth driven by increasing regulatory pressure on single-use plastics, corporate sustainability commitments, and consumer demand for environmentally friendly packaging solutions. The market encompasses applications across food and beverage packaging, protective packaging for electronics and fragile goods, and industrial applications.

Key market drivers that would typically influence growth between 2024 and 2025 include:

• Regulatory Environment: Continued implementation of state and local regulations restricting plastic packaging, particularly in California, New York, and other progressive markets.
• Corporate Sustainability Goals: Major foodservice companies, quick-service restaurants, and ecommerce platforms expanding their use of molded fiber solutions to meet environmental commitments.
• Supply Chain Maturation: Increased production capacity and improved manufacturing efficiency reducing costs and expanding market accessibility.
• Consumer Preferences: Growing consumer awareness and preference for sustainable packaging options.

Anyway, I enjoyed taking IE 5.0 for a test spin. The international launch of the Business Pro version of IE 5.0 at interpack is definitely something to look forward to.