Top Four Trends in Packaging

January 2025

The consumer packaging industry records growth within a climate of subdued consumption as cost-of-living pressures persist. Innovative approaches to pack sizing, going smaller and bigger, give choice to consumers to preserve affordability and brand growth. The key driver of industry innovation is the development of renewable packaging solutions to foster circularity and reduce virgin material use. Regulators’ policy targets add impetus to action while digital tech holds the potential to transfor

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Key findings

As cost pressures persist, an adapted pack offer helps preserve affordability

The consumer packaging industry sees softer volume growth as cost-of-living concerns and doing business pressures persist. Adopting an adapted pack offer, in pack type and size, is a valuable way for brands and retailers to mitigate operating cost volatilities and help preserve consumer access with affordable retail price points.

The importance of Packaging circularity innovation  for brand reputation

Packaging circularity is most influential in shaping the future of all packaging materials and offers innovation opportunities, in pursuing a much lighter environmental footprint. Plastic is under greatest pressure (with paper and metal key challengers) yet shows design development, in removing virgin resins and collaborations on collection/sorting. With more consumers concerned about climate change, packaging circularity is essential for onward competitiveness.

Regulatory timelines for all, to substantially improve environmental progress of packaging

Regulation is a hot topic for the packaging value chain. Policy intervention is strengthening and is set to propel collective action in brand pack redesigns as recyclability, recycled content and re-use are targeted, to eliminate waste. There are opportunities for new designs and refill/re-use models. Inadequate progress risks costs of taxation and future material bans.

Digital brings potential to optimise operations, personalise engagement and increase packaging re-use

Digitalisation offers wide-reaching potential to transform, from improving operational efficiencies via automation, enhancing design capabilities (via design/prototyping/printing services) onto the use of machine learning/AI to accurately sort packaging at end of life, and reduce waste. Harnessing traceability brings insights to inform quality control and sustainability communication while on-pack codes can also deepen brand-consumer engagement and loyalty.

Our expert’s view of the Packaging industry
Key findings
The packaging industry grows, exceeding four trillion packs in 2023, despite cost pressures
Mitigating cost and environmental pressures are at the crux of packaging development
Top trends in Packaging
Top trends uncovered
Value-for-money is top consumer priority
Varied sizing strategies, a way for brands to balance high costs with affordability
Kérastase’s larger “value” pouch brings consumers cost savings and less plastic
The potential for brand packaging growth in an era of price pressures
Businesses recognise need to deliver packaging circularity to concerned consumers
It pays to pursue circularity as sustainable products provide better growth prospects
Clean Cult: From DTC to in-store at Walmart to extend reach of refill and reduce plastic use
Coca-Cola India strengthens commitment to the circular economy with rPET
Widespread innovation potential and desire for packaging circularity
Regulation is a catalyst for specifying more responsible packaging
The power of partnership in pushing for new regulation and circularity progress
Re-turn: Ireland’s DRS collects more than 600 million packs in seven months since launch
Suntory launches foldable recycled PET bottle to improve recycling
Regulation brings opportunities to advance recycled content and re-use
Digitalisation to optimise efficiency, eco-friendly solutions and be engaging for all
Inclusive: Unilever adopts AQR codes for consumers with sight loss
Aldi UK uses AI to imbue transparency in tracking the recycling of flexible plastics
Harness digital technologies to drive business, consumer and environmental gains
Future implications
Opportunities for growth
Global retail packaging demand by industry and material group
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