The German Packaging Award was established back in 1963 to provide impetus for innovations in this industry. It has developed into the most renowned and largest European showcase for packaging. I am very pleased about this because packaging is an indispensable component for safely supplying people and the economy with a wide range of products. Many innovations and clever solutions developed by often small and medium-sized companies ensure a consistently impressive level of safety, protection and hygiene. In recent years and decades, both packaging consumption and packaging waste have risen steadily in the process. Precisely because we cannot do without packaging in most cases, we have to find new ways. Many companies are already working intensively to avoid superfluous packaging, to enforce reusable packaging more strongly, and to return valuable raw materials contained in disposable packaging to the cycle as secondary raw materials after use. Above all, the proportion of reusable packaging is increasing. I am very grateful to industry and trade for this, and this should continue. In addition, the German government has agreed to set up a funding model to promote resource-saving and recycling-friendly packaging design and the use of recycled materials in packaging even further. This means that the pace of innovation can and should continue to increase. The starting points for design are diverse - they range from sustainability and circular economy to consumer protection, design and product presentations to economic efficiency, digitalization and machine technology. For the mail order business in particular, it is becoming increasingly important to find the right balance between product and environmental protection. I am convinced that we can look forward to many exciting and groundbreaking concepts, technologies and products again this year. It is therefore with great pleasure that I take on the patronage for the German Packaging Award 2022 and wish all participants much success thanks to captivating ideas.