What’s In Store for the Packaging Industry?
Looking ahead to 2023, what is being forecast as the priorities for the packaging industry and how will the changes impact manufacturers, retailers and consumers?
5 Themes for Packaging Success
According to research shared at the Global Data Conference*, there are 5 priorities for the packaging industry in 2023.
- It’s no surprise to us that, the top of the list is Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG). Globally, 77% of consumers favour sustainable and environmentally friendly packaging. They are looking to retailers and manufacturers to make it easier for them to make green purchasing decisions.
In turn, this means that retailers and manufacturers are seeking out supply chain sustainability. This includes packaging companies with a clear sustainability plan and strong ESG credentials. Consumers will be looking out for widely recognised symbols, including the FSC© tree tick and recycling arrows, on both product and packaging to inform their view of brands. What they don’t want is greenwashing.
- Digitalisation is next on the list and this is driven by consumers’ desire for prompt delivery, tracking and information. The effective use of printed packaging to add barcodes, QR codes, Navilens and more increases efficiency, traceability, supply chain management, accessibility and engagement with the brand.
- Also meeting the need for speed is robotics, specifically factory and warehouse automation. With the right setup, packaging manufacturers can streamline production, increase accuracy and operate 24-hours-a-day, whilst making cost efficiencies.
- Heightened cyber security is the fourth priority for the packaging industry, especially when digitalisation and robotics are playing a greater role. Secure systems help to protect valuable company and customer data and reduce the risk that production will grind to a halt.
- The final priority is to achieve the previous four points whilst keeping packaging solutions easy and affordable. Retailers and manufacturers are seeking packaging that is easy to use, suitably protective and commercially viable. This is a constant challenge in the packaging industry; how to deliver on all objectives, without breaking the budget.
Many packaging companies are ahead of the game when addressing these future priorities. What would you add to the list?
