2019 Global Packaging trends
The packaging industry has been going through a period of change for some time, as more and more importance is being put in recycling and the effects this has. Therefore this is only set to continue in 2019 and moving forward. Flexible packaging is possibly the fastest growing trend in the industry. This is due to the fact it is very effective and doesn’t take up as much space as traditional packaging, as the shape can be readily changed. These include the likes of bags and pouches. Another is reusable packaging such as these plastic crates, which is a popular choice for many businesses and also saves costs.
photo/ Pexels
Media coverage continues to grow on environmental sustainability for both consumers and businesses. This is why we have seen possibly the biggest change in supermarkets, putting a cost on plastic bags. This has made a huge difference on the amount that has been used following the change in 2015. A study in 2018 showed that in the so called ‘big seven’ supermarkets, the use of plastic bags is down 86%, which is clearly making a positive impact. Much of the coverage on the subject comes from the Blue Planet documentaries, that have made the public far more aware of the rising issue at hand, and why changes needed to be made.
This has now led to UK supermarkets aiming to ensure all plastic packaging can be reused, recycled or even composted by 2025. This also draws on to another trend that has been very much in the public eye in recent years. This is single use plastic products, which are used regularly in fast food restaurants such as McDonalds. Plastic straws being possibly the most regular item, and is something that many companies are now looking to move away from. This is to paper straws for example, and McDonalds have said these will be drawn out by the end of the year.
So what are some of the other key trends:
- E-commerce packaging
Growth in e-commerce packaging will result in a demand for the growth in packaging for materials such as boxes and lightweight protective packaging. Packaging is becoming more and more advanced, and as such the demand for easy to open and dispose of products are only set to rise. These products will continue to advance in order to create a better e-commerce experience. This will also impact shelf ready packaging, which is a growing trend due to the continued competitive nature of the industry. These include products in supermarkets such as Lidl and Aldi, which and now two of the most popular supermarkets due to their competitive rates.
- Packaging and Marketing
Brand awareness is so important and packaging can be a fantastic platform in order to develop this. Both digital and on the shop floor, this is only going to continue to grow over 2019 and moving forward.
Author: Adam Walker
photo/ Mashiro Momo
