Sustainability Still a Global Key Packaging Focus, Despite COVID

The packaging industry is in high gear as the pandemic enters year two, searching for innovative solutions to sustainable packaging and e-commerce design demands.

Getty Images 1090737400

Day one of the Sustainability in Packaging virtual event covered a range of topics such as the impact of COVID on the packaging industry (and plans for post-COVID), plastics recycling, and packaging design for e-commerce.

Here are just some of the highlights from today’s content:

Impact of COVID on Packaging Industry

Adam Page, Director of Research and Reports at Smithers, said that though there was a dip in the global packaging market forecast in 2020, there is a current rebound underway with the expectation of a return to former projected growth by 2024.

The pandemic has accelerated pre-existing trends such as fast-tracking e-commerce usage; shifted consumer behavior in ways such as increasing consumption of pre-packaged food products; and disrupted supply chains with material shortages, shipping delays, and resultant increases in material prices.

And when looking at post-COVID trends, Page said sustainability is still a key driver (particularly in the area of lightweighting), and e-commerce brings big opportunities to the areas of transit and protective packaging. E-commerce has seen a ten-year growth in three-month’s time during the pandemic, and Nielsen forecasts 70% of global consumers will do their grocery shopping online by 2024. With this rise in e-commerce comes a need for additional packaging to enable products to enter a more complex distribution chain.


See this video: E-commerce 2020 in less than 20 minutes


Page also said there is investment and increase in collection and recycling, as well as investment in simplifying multi-material laminates and developing high-barrier mono-material solutions. Chemical recycling in the US is another emerging market (one that is discussed in more detail in the next section).

Pharmaceutical Innovations Report
Discover the latest breakthrough packaging technologies shaping the pharmaceutical sector. This report dives into cutting-edge innovations, from smart containers that enhance patient safety to eco-friendly materials poised to transform the industry’s sustainability practices. All from PACK EXPO. Learn how forward-thinking strategies are driving efficiency and redefining what’s possible in pharma packaging.
Learn More
Pharmaceutical Innovations Report
Researched List: Engineering Services Firms
Looking for engineering services? Our curated list features 100+ companies specializing in civil, process, structural, and electrical engineering. Many also offer construction, design, and architecture services. Download to access company names, markets served, key services, contact information, and more!
Download Now
Researched List: Engineering Services Firms