Flexible Packaging
Packaging at a Crossroads: Navigating the Shift Toward Sustainability and Flexibility
I
n the face of environmental concerns and shifting consumer preferences, the packaging industry stands at a crossroads. Trends in sustainable and flexible packaging are shaping the industry’s future and are pivotal in the quest for a more sustainable planet. The Packaging Compass report, prepared by the PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, in collaboration with AMERIPEN, delves into these trends, offering a comprehensive overview of where packaging design is headed over the next decade and the implications for circular packaging systems. A growing awareness of the environmental impacts of packaging waste drives the shift toward sustainable, flexible packaging. Traditional packaging solutions, particularly in the food industry, have relied heavily on single-use plastics, contributing to pollution and landfill overflow. Flexible packaging, made from easily recyclable materials, offers a lighter environmental footprint and reduces transportation emissions. However, the lack of recycling infrastructure for these materials poses challenges to their
recovery and reuse. The Compass report suggests that innovation and investment in recycling technologies, such as artificial intelligence and advanced sorting systems, could enhance the recyclability of flexible plastics and align with the growing consumer demand for sustainable packaging options.
Recycled content in packaging is also on the rise, with many companies seeking to increase the use of post-consumer recycled (PCR) materials. This trend is partly driven by legislation and consumer expectations, yet challenges in the supply and quality of recycled materials persist. The report emphasises the importance of enhancing the quality and availability of PCR content to meet the growing demand, particularly for food-contact packaging, which has stringent safety and hygiene requirements.
Another significant trend is the increasing interest in compostable packaging materials. Forecasted
to see substantial growth, these materials offer a promising avenue for reducing waste, particularly in food packaging. However, the infrastructure for composting these materials still needs to catch up, underscoring the need for investments in composting facilities and collection systems. Cutting-edge developments in this area include bio-based films, which utilise cornstarch, PLA (polylactic acid), and cellulose. These materials decompose naturally, unlike their plastic counterparts, offering a promising avenue for packaging that doesn’t linger in landfills for centuries.
A significant innovation is the advent of edible packaging. Imagine consuming your water in a seaweed-based pod, then eating the container as well, or unwrapping your sandwich from a packaging film made of rice paper or seaweed that can be composted or even consumed. These solutions minimise waste and create an entirely
new consumer experience.
Digital printing on flexible packaging also is revolutionising the industry. This technology allows for smaller, more precise print runs, reducing waste and energy consumption. Additionally, it offers the flexibility to include more detailed product information, interactive elements via QR codes, and customisation options that were previously unfeasible due to cost constraints.
The Packaging Compass report also discusses the implications of these trends for packaging and waste policy. It highlights the role of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) programs in shifting financial and operational responsibilities for end-of-life package/product management from consumers and governments to producers. The adoption of EPR programs, investments in recycling and composting infrastructure, and the development of standardised definitions for recycling and composting can support the transition to a more circular packaging system.
As we look ahead, it’s clear that the flexible packaging revolution is more than just an industry trend; it’s a necessary evolution toward a more sustainable and efficient world. For consumers, corporations, and the environment alike, the promise of sustainable, flexible packaging offers a glimpse of a future where every package counts for what it contains and its positive impact. Sustainable and flexible packaging innovations will be on display at PACK EXPO International (Nov. 3–6, 2024, McCormick Place, Chicago). Ranking as the biggest packaging and processing event on the planet in 2024, the show will present 2,500 exhibitors spread across more than 1.2 million net square feet of floor space and foster idea- sharing among 40+ vertical industries. Highlights include free educational sessions, a myriad of networking opportunities, and solutions to address automation, production efficiency, sustainability, flexibility, and e-commerce needs, as well as other hot topics and trends. For more information, visit
packexpointernational.com.
32
March 2024
www.convertermag.com
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54
