From smart packaging to the circular economy: how sustainability, automation, and new technologies will reshape the sector by 2034.

A $1.8 trillion growing market
The packaging industry is poised for a momentous transformation by 2034, driven by sustainability, digital innovation, automation, and materials evolution. According to research from Leeds Beckett University, the sector will fully integrate the principles of the circular economy, focusing on reuse, recycling, and waste reduction.
Forecasts estimate that the global packaging market will reach nearly $1.8 trillion by 2034, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.9%.
Currently, the most commonly used materials are:
- fiber-based packaging (40%)
- plastic (37%)
- metal (12%)
- glass (5%)
Cellulose and printed cardboard are experiencing strong growth, appreciated for their renewability and ease of recycling.
Key Points for the green packaging in the coming years
By 2034, packaging will be at the centre of a balance between economic growth and environmental responsibility, driven by regulations, technological innovations, and new consumer demands.
- Increasingly Stricter Regulations
The European Union is pushing for full recyclability by 2030 with the PPWR Regulation and the EU Single-Use Plastics Directive (EU 2019/904). At the same time, France aims to eliminate single-use plastics entirely by 2040.
- Smart Packaging and Digitalization
The future of the sector will also involve AI, blockchain, NFC sensors, and QR codes, tools that will ensure traceability, security, and direct interaction with consumers.
- Automation and efficiency
End-of-line automation will become increasingly widespread, with robots and packaging and sealing machinery capable of reducing costs and increasing productivity.
- Green trends: sustainable packaging boom
The European sustainable packaging market is expected to grow from $80 billion in 2025 to $160 billion by 2034, with a CAGR of 8.2%. Brands that invest in biodegradable, reusable packaging, and refill systems will be rewarded by consumers.
Companies that focus on sustainability, automation, and circular design will be the leaders of this change.