How will packaging solutions evolve in the very near future? What innovations should be expected, what developments will be invested in? What do you need to pay attention to in order to keep up with your competitors? Today, we're going to look at a few trends in the packaging market that are likely to dominate not only in 2023, but also in the years to come.
As global policies against plastic waste gain momentum, large companies are forced to look for a variety of solutions in packaging that uses plastic. At the same time, the use of recycled plastic in packaging now significantly exceeds the volume of its processing. There is a shortage of recycled plastic. This gives impetus to the development of other packaging options.
Expanded polystyrene, a lightweight, foam-like plastic material used to transport fragile items and in insulated boxes, is increasingly being criticized and banned around the world. However, in order to abandon it, this material must be replaced with something similar, but safe for the environment.
Recently, information about developments in the field of bioplastic has been increasingly appearing in the news of the packaging world. One scientific laboratory in the USA quite recently has even received a large grant for such developments. However, what we want to talk about now is not even bioplastic. It is a completely new material, which in certain type of packaging is quite capable of replacing plastic.
For quite a long time, beverage manufacturers have been solving the problem of group packaging for various packs. Traditionally, packs of cans and plastic bottles are grouped together with thermal film. However, legislation in Europe is becoming more strict, and there are more and more adherents of more sustainable packaging among buyers. Both of these factors force manufacturers to look for alternative solutions.
And the impossible is possible! Especially on New Year's Eve. We assume that this is exactly what the creators of the Ukrainian startup Releaf Paper thought when they learned the decision of the European Commission (EC) EIC Accelerator 2022 that they became the winners of this year's program and received funding in the amount of 10 million euros for the development of their project.
Mondi never ceases to amaze with its developments in the field of paper. This time, working for Fresh!Packing, they were able to create a cooler bag to protect and transport chilled or frozen goods from the store to their homes. And this bag is made entirely of paper!