Sustainability to Trump Costs as Packaging Industry's Top Future Challenge

October 25, 2012

While today’s packaging professional is focused on cost, performance and food safety/security, sustainability will replace cost as a dominant trend in 10 years, according to a study conducted by Dupont Packaging & Industrial Polymers, and Packaging World.

Food safety/security is and will remain a top trend, according to the study, which reflect the opinions of more than 500 subscribers to Packaging World and foodproductiondaily.com.

Packaging will play a more important role in a product’s success in 10 years, according to 81 percent or respondents. Sixty-five percent agree that plastics will continue to replace glass and metals, and flexible packaging will continue to replace rigid structures. Regulations will have a greater influence on packaging design in 10 years, according to 82 percent of respondents.

"One common theme throughout the survey is the need to maximize value with minimal impact," said Shanna Moore, global sustainability director, for DuPont Packaging & Industrial Polymers. “Interestingly we see cost sacrificed for sustainability. While affordability underscores everything we do, the message is clear: Sustainability must be considered at the onset especially in light of expectations that the consumer will have even more value in it.”

The online survey fielded in August, captures insights from consumer goods manufacturers and converters in marketing and packaging development roles. Food, healthcare and beverage markets were the largest segment of respondents, but nearly every industry that uses packaging was represented, according to study sponsors. Two thirds of the respondents are from Europe, with the remaining in North America.

When asked what trend would most impact their packaging 10 years from now, many respondents also cited food safety concerns. One respondent said: “We are facing new threats to food safety due to climate change, the failure to address the problems in agriculture, lack of food in the world, and finally finding solutions for sustainable approaches.”

Another said: "I foresee sustainability in a new context, where food waste, shelf life, etc. all goes more together.”

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Keywords: recycling, sustainable packaging

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