According to Ciaran Little of Smithers, innovation, collaboration, and integrated strategies will drive the market in the coming years.

Market evolution and current trends

Sustainable packaging strategies have evolved significantly over the past decade, according to Ciaran Little, vice president of consulting at Smithers. Demand is growing thanks to more informed consumers, more ambitious brand sustainability goals, and increased supplier investment.

Brands are focusing on recycled materials and recyclability, but they face increasingly complex regulations and infrastructure constraints. Innovation in alternative materials has yielded encouraging results, but there is still room for new, viable solutions.

According to the report, “The Future of Global Packaging to 2030,” the global market is worth $1.176 billion and will grow at a CAGR of 3.5%. Corrugated cardboard and folding cartons remain dominant, while molded fibers and flexible paper are striving to conquer new segments, with increasingly strategic barrier coatings.

Population and consumer growth will increase the demand for packaging, making it essential to develop recyclable materials and more efficient processes. Materials management infrastructure by 2030 will determine market evolution and the spread of sustainable alternatives.

Challenges, opportunities, and a systemic approach

The transition to sustainable materials entails costs and complexity, but it also offers opportunities for value through collaboration and a systemic approach throughout the supply chain. Strategies such as Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) can increase the availability of recycled materials and reduce costs.

R&D and innovation will be crucial to balancing recyclability and material performance, developing multi-material solutions, and optimizing production processes.

According to Little, sustainability is moving from a buzzword to an integrated strategy, where innovation, collaboration, and commercial viability become key levers.

In short, sustainability in packaging is now a concrete strategy that combines efficiency, innovation, and collaboration along the entire packaging supply chain.