Packaging Innovations 2021

Packaging Innovations 2020 in Birmingham, UK, was all about carbon footprint. Nobody will deny that the scourge of packaging pollution remains an urgent global issue, but increased attention to climate change has led the packaging industry to also reevaluate its role in bringing greenhouse gases back down to manageable levels. During the show’s ‘Big Carbon Debate,’ some argued that plastics are essential in this aim due to their relatively low energy-intensive production and shelf-life extending capabilities to fend off food waste. However, others contended that plastics-alternatives, including biodegradable and compostable solutions, offer viable sustainability without the pollution. This debate manifested itself in a wealth of plastic and plastic-free innovation, while suppliers were keen to demonstrate how their solutions could bring carbon footprint down without compensating for aesthetic pack appeal.