Pet food packaging: Innovation meets convenience, health & recyclability demands

The pet food packaging industry is driven by the ongoing cultural shift where pets are treated as part of the family. This transformation has sparked advancements in packaging technology, supporting manufacturers to balance sustainability targets with the technical demands of preserving pet nutrition. 

Packaging Insights speaks to Coveris, SP Group Packaging (SPG), and Siegwerk about how they are re-engineering the pet food bag to meet the demands of the modern “pet parent.”

Gilles Le Moigne, head of Circular Economy Coatings at Siegwerk, tells us: “Today’s consumers view their pets as family members and expect the same aesthetic quality and sustainability credentials for their pet’s food as they do for their own.”

“The pet food space has evolved from simple bulk containment to a highly sophisticated retail environment where pet humanization drives every aspect of packaging design.”

SPG echoes this sentiment, with a spokesperson telling us: “Consumers increasingly consider pets as members of the family, which has significantly raised expectations around pet food quality, safety, and sustainability.”

“This shift means that packaging must not only preserve the product effectively but also communicate trust, transparency, and brand values. Clear information, responsible material choices, and high-quality design all play an important role.”

Protecting pets’ health

Pet owners are demanding high standards in packaging safety, moving away from chemicals associated with adverse health effects for animals, such as PFAS, according to Renaud Gautier, key account manager for pet food at Coveris. 

Coveris’ PFAS-free solutions are developed to comply with the upcoming EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, and to offer product protection and efficiency.

“As part of supporting upcoming regulations and responding to the growing demand for cleaner packaging, Coveris offers PFAS-free design premade bag solutions for the pet food market ahead of the statutory deadline. Furthermore, PFAS-free design is available across our entire product portfolio,” says Gautier. 

“One of the latest developments that includes PFAS-free design and which we have launched recently is MonoFlexBE metallized, a recyclable high-barrier monomaterial with a metallic inner layer. This development combines enhanced product protection with a premium metallic finish for improved shelf impact and brand differentiation, all without compromising recyclability.”

Premiumization and practicality

Alongside removing harmful chemicals, premiumization and convenience are key drivers of pet packaging innovation.

SPG identifies that formats such as stand-up pouches, resealable closures, and easy-open solutions are becoming standard, especially as consumers increasingly perceive pet food as a premium product and expect packaging to match that positioning.

Coveris’ Gautier also notes that formats such as retortable pouches, quadroseal bags, flat-bottom bags, and flexible films are gaining popularity. He says these solutions combine shelf appeal with practical features such as resealability and lightweight transport efficiency.

“Flexible packaging solutions support longer shelf life and strong branding opportunities, making them particularly relevant for pet food brands looking to differentiate while ensuring product freshness and performance.”

The monomaterial momentum

Another key trend in pet food packaging is the shift toward more sustainable and recyclable packaging solutions, say the experts.

“A key step in improving recyclability is the move toward monomaterial structures. By simplifying packaging designs and eliminating unnecessary material combinations, we can deliver the barrier performance pet food products require while enabling easier recycling at the end of life,” says Gautier.

SPG has also noted sustainability as one of the main drivers in the industry. “Brands are increasingly seeking recyclable monomaterial structures that can still deliver the high-barrier properties needed to preserve product quality and shelf life.”

According to the company, one of SPG’s priorities is designing recyclable monomaterial structures with high-barrier performance for various pet food applications. 

Le Moigne shares that in the premium segment, pet owners are actively seeking out the most sustainable packaging options and are ready to pay a premium for brands that align with their environmental values.

“The pet food sector has become one of the fastest-moving segments in the global transition to monomaterial packaging. We see this commitment as a powerful market driver. It has transformed sustainability from a marketing extra into a mandatory brand promise.” 

He also points out that EU regulations are accelerating the shift away from traditional multimaterial PET and PE laminates, which are difficult to recycle. In response to the trend, Siegwerk’s coatings aim to overcome the technical barrier of functional performance in monomaterial pet food packaging.

Meeting higher standards

The companies highlight that the R&D process for pet food packaging often pushes technical requirements further than standard F&B sectors.

“Packaging must deliver enhanced grease barrier properties, support longer shelf life, and withstand the demands of larger, heavier formats, all while ensuring product integrity and odor control. As a packaging manufacturer, this means building on shared foundations but developing more advanced, high-performance solutions for pet food applications, where robustness and barrier efficiency are taken to the next level,” Gautier explains.

“Balancing recyclability with the barrier performance required for pet food products starts with choosing the right material for the job. At Coveris, we focus on delivering the most eco-efficient, high-performing solution for each product application, whether that’s based on standard or monomaterial film.”

SPG notes that pet food packaging frequently requires higher resistance and durability due to a product’s format and distribution channels. “For example, dry pet food is often sold in larger bags that must withstand transport and handling conditions.”

“In addition, barrier requirements can vary depending on the type of product, such as dry food, wet food, or treats. Ensuring aroma protection and product freshness is critical, as it directly affects product acceptance by pets.”

Balancing targets

As the industry moves forward, Le Moigne from Siegwerk predicts the pet food packaging sector will continue to “act as a pioneer, proving that high-performance protection and full recyclability can coexist when driven by a dedicated, value-based consumer base.”

SPG’s goal for the future is to combine material innovation and the latest technologies to help pet food brands meet market expectations and upcoming regulatory requirements. 

Gautier from Coveris suggests that further innovation in pet food packaging will be shaped by the need to balance regulation, cost, and material performance simultaneously. 

“The next chapter for pet food packaging is about moving beyond basic recyclability towards renewable, recyclable, and truly circular solutions that address both packaging waste and food waste,” he says.

“When innovation delivers high performance, recyclability at scale, and a lower carbon footprint, it becomes both commercially viable and compliant — unlocking real progress in pet food packaging.”