Personal care packaging’s circular focus

There is a growing trend to maximize recycled content in spreads and seasoning packaging. Manufacturers, brand owners and retailers are now looking to shift toward a circular economy in which packaging materials can be used multiple times.

Trends in supplements packaging are leaning toward reduced virgin plastic and the uptake of sustainable packaging materials. Innovation in this category includes recycled plastics and post-consumer paper and cardboard, as more stringent regulations come into play.

Trends in the packaging of soup and sauces revolve around consumer convenience and reduced environmental impact. As stringent regulations loom ahead, brands are introducing biodegradable packaging and reduced plastic alternatives.

A major component in ready meal packaging trends is convenience. Products in this category should be easy to prepare and consume. However, innovation must strike a balance between convenience and ever-intensifying environmental sustainability demands.

Packaging innovation in the bakery category is dependent on the organoleptic characteristics of baked goods. However, considering many bakery items are dry products, opportunities in paperboard and carton are being explored, as well as ensuring recyclable, PCR, biodegradable and reclosable plastic.

Snack pack innovation is increasingly focused on mono-materials like PP and paper, post-consumer plastics and bioplastics as more stringent plastic waste regulations come into play. Convenience remains vital with pouch resealability fast becoming the norm.