Five Packaging Trends That Will Shape 2012

After PackagingDiva, here is my list of 5 packaging trends to watch closely in 2012:

1. Functionality and sustainability: Finding the balance between under-packaging and over-packaging 
2. Sustainable Packaging: Increased focus on recyclability and Increased demand for sustainability
3. Paper-based packaging : Keep the Molecule in Play
4. Stand-up pouches: Maximum Flexibility, Sustainability and Convenience
5. The development of Bioplastics: A viable eco-friendly solution?

Best wishes for a healthy, wealthy, sustainable and innovative New Year 2012! 

1)  Functionality and sustainability: Finding the balance between under-packaging and over-packaging

For decades, packaging was seen as nothing but waste, a nuisance to be avoided. However, packaging waste pales into insignificance compared with the losses caused by food waste. According to recent FAO study, One-third of food in developing countries is destroyed before it ever reaches the consumer.

Food packaging—could now move from being the villain to being the hero:

1. Packaging prevents food waste and saves resources
2. Packaging is part of the solution for an overall resource efficient economy
3. Packaging facilitates more sustainable lifestyles

You have to balance functionality with sustainability

2)    Sustainable Packaging:  Increased focus on recyclability and Increased demand for sustainability

Concerns about sustainability and environmental friendliness will continue to impact all areas of the packaging industry. Consumers are increasingly interested in their personal impact on the environment and are demanding more from manufacturers.

Major companies are beginning to take note and a few have stepped forward to lead the “sustainable packaging revolution”. They are looking for ways to reduce, down-gauge, lightweight their packaging. Companies will benefit from these efforts, thanks to material savings and increased demand from green consumers.

World demand for green packaging—including recycled-content, reusable, and degradable packaging is projected to rise 5.7% per year to $212 billion in 2015 (Freedonia, 2011).

 Sustainable packaging:  Win-Win-Win for the environment, for manufacturers and suppliers, and for consumers

3)     Paper-based packaging : Keep the Molecule in Play

Paper-based Packaging provides versatile and responsible packaging solutions for product manufacturers, retailers, and consumers. Paper has an excellent image as packaging material (renewable and biodegradable). However due to missing performance characteristics and barrier properties, paper has been largely replaced by polymers (e.g. PE). Improving paper's barrier properties is seen as a crucial step in increasing its viability as a packaging material:

• Wax is on the Wane: The future is clear – wax replacement packaging will become a necessity
• With the push towards sustainability, repulpability and recyclability, water-based technologies are gaining acceptance.
•  Water-based coatings can be custom-formulated to meet the packaging requirements of a wide range of fresh and frozen products
• Opportunities for retailers to sharply reduce their landfill costs, while boosting their recycling levels

 Bright Future: Water-based technologies are gaining wider acceptance

4)     Stand-up Pouches: Maximum Flexibility, Sustainability and Convenience

The trend toward stand-up pouches packaging has been mainly driven by companies looking for ways to increase shelf appeal and differentiate their products from the competition and add consumer convenience. Stand-up pouches can be used as an additional marketing tool for brand owners looking to boost sales.

From an environmental point of view, pouches are more sustainable than traditional packaging formats (cans, boxes or rigid plastic container). They utilize much less material, improve the product to package ratio and eliminate over packaging and waste. Depending upon the application, pouches can weigh up to 95% less than rigid containers and take up less than 10% of the space typically used by rigid containers. In addition, pouches require much less landfill space than other containers.

Stand-up Pouches: Lightweight packaging solutions with optimal protection

5)     The development of Bioplastics: A viable eco-friendly solution?

While bioplastics are being embraced, labeling confusion, skepticism on functional abilities and environmental claims continue to pose challenges and concerns:

1. Confusion in terminology:  Biobased, Compostable, biodegradable, Oxo…? - Education is needed to clarify in the minds of consumers and clients, the environmental benefits of these new materials

2. End of life hurdles: the puzzle?  - Consumers are confused when it comes to separating biodegradable, compostable and recyclable plastics. Information about how to best dispose of it, is necessary

3. Carbon footprint: bioplastics not necessarily greener than oil based relatives? - Skeptics about LCA studies: data may not be accurate or complete and system boundaries are not easily defined

4. Price: Current prices for bioplastics are significantly higher than the cost of PE - People are environmentally conscious when it’s convenient and affordable. Higher oil prices are lowering the gap in prices of bioplastics and conventional plastics

5. Weak barrier properties: MVTR, OTR, heat resistance, microwavable…? - Barrier and physical properties may limit applications - Blends and compounding

6. Value proposition: Promoting Biobased, Biodegradable or Compostable? - Is not yet clear in the minds of most consumers and clients

Finally, both the packaging industry and consumers need to work together to develop a unified set of standards that will end confusion and maintain transparency in the rapidly growing sustainability sector:

1. The distinctions are subtle but significant:  not all bioplastics are created equal and there are a lot of misleading claims out there
2. Education: has to be a combined effort from resin makers, converters and the companies that will be selling these products to the consumer