The PET and plastic packaging industry is in a phase of profound transformation. Sustainability requirements are increasing, the regulatory framework is becoming more complex and, at the same time, the markets expect ever more individualized products and shorter innovation cycles.
Many companies are therefore investing in new machines, more efficient production processes and more sustainable materials. However, one central challenge often remains invisible - and that is precisely why it is often underestimated: the data architecture behind the products.
The invisible weak point behind sustainability, variant diversity and regulation
While production facilities and materials are constantly evolving, the underlying data structures of many companies have grown historically. Product data, material information, specifications and variant logic often exist in different systems and are not interconnected.
What used to be compensated for by experience, manual coordination or Excel lists is now increasingly becoming a structural weakness.
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Together with Pimcore, +Pluswerk will be on site at the PETnology Conference on June 10 and 11, 2026 in Switzerland .
We would like to talk to you there. Arrange a personal appointment with Mike Streibl, Managing Director of +Pluswerk Regensburg, at the trade fair. Send us an e-mail with your preferred date, we look forward to hearing from you!
The problem is rarely IT
A large number of digital systems already exist in many companies in the packaging industry. ERP systems manage production processes, product databases store technical information and document management systems organize specifications and certificates.
Despite this, there is often no consistent overall picture of product information. The reason for this is rarely the lack of systems. More often, it is because these systems are not based on a common data logic.
Typical symptoms are, for example
- Product information is available in several systems.
- Variants are modeled differently.
- Sustainability data has to be compiled manually.
- Sales documents are based on different data than production systems.
Such situations lead to media disruptions, manual workflows and an increased risk of errors or inconsistencies. As product complexity and regulatory requirements increase, this problem is becoming ever more apparent.
The PET industry faces a data challenge
Several factors come together in the PET industry that make data management particularly challenging. Differences in material, weight, shape, application or regional requirements mean that individual products exist in numerous variants.
On the other hand, the requirements for transparency and traceability are increasing. Recycling rates, material origin, carbon footprint and future digital product passports require precise documentation along the entire product life cycle. Added to this are international supply chains and increasingly digital sales processes, in which consistent product information plays a central role.
All of these developments mean that product data no longer just plays an operational role. It is becoming a strategic factor for competitiveness.
What real "data DNA" means
The term "single source of truth" is used in many discussions today. This refers to a central, consistent source of product information. However, a sustainable solution goes beyond this term.
A modern data architecture is based on a clearly defined data DNA of the company. This describes the basic structure according to which product, material and process information is organized.
Why a new platform alone is not enough
When data problems arise, many companies initially react by introducing new software. Product information systems, data platforms or integration solutions often promise rapid improvements. Such systems are undoubtedly important components of a modern data strategy. However, they rarely solve the fundamental problem on their own.
The reason: software implements architecture, it does not replace it.
Without a clearly defined data model, clear responsibilities and a well thought-out integration strategy, even a powerful platform remains just another system in an already complex IT landscape. Stable and scalable solutions can only be created when technology and data architecture are considered together.
This is why successful digitalization in product data management does not begin with the selection of a tool, but with the question: How should our product data be structured - today and in the future?
Data architecture as a management task
Today, data architecture no longer only concerns IT departments. It has become a strategic management decision. Product data is influencing more and more central company areas such as product development, production, sales and marketing.
Sustainability reporting for the preparation of prescribed regulatory evidence is also affected. The better this data is structured and integrated, the faster companies can react to new market requirements.
In practice, it is regularly shown that companies that modernize their data architecture at an early stage gain speed, transparency and the ability to innovate.
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