Trends that have changed the Packaging Standards of different Industries

by Elizabeth Oomi I am a Professional Experienced Blogger.

On a global scale, the packaging industry is an emerging sector. According to research statistics, the demand for the world's packaging will increase to $1.05 trillion by the end of 2024. This gigantic growth rate is due to changing trends across the consumers and industry. Nowadays, the packaging is considered much more than a thing which encloses your product. The use of custom printed boxes has raised industrial standards. The consumers want their products to be delivered in well-designed packaging. Moreover, with the advancements in technology, this sector has flourished over the last few years. This has indulged the manufacturers in a constant race to bring more innovations in the field. Here we are going to highlight some of the latest trends which have changed the packaging standard across different industries:

Sustainability: A Megatrend across Packaging Industry

In recent years, sustainability is considered one of the strongest trends in the packaging industry. An inclination towards green packaging has motivated the manufacturers to design eco-friendly customized cardboard boxes for their products. Even the consumers of today have become the environment concerned. They want to play their part in this initiative by choosing a custom size box over other alternatives. Reducing plastic waste and increasing the use of custom small boxes has become the need of time. Whether its product packaging, shipping or subscription; cardboard and other biodegradable packaging materials should be used to ensure sustainability. Corrugated shipping boxes wholesale are widely used to transport the products at a larger distance. They are easy to recycle and provide no harm to the environment. In addition to paper packaging, box manufacturers Chicago are also looking for alternatives like bio-plastic to reduce the waste which goes to the landfill. Thus, sustainability has become a key motivator for consumers as well as manufacturers.

Digital Revolution: Digital Printing overtakes Mass Production

Digital Printing is another emerging trend. It will continue to gain momentum in the upcoming years. The main driver of this trend is individualized packaging and the increasing product diversity with a short product cycle. There was a time when mass production of cardboard packaging boxes wholesale was not possible by using the digital platform. Nowadays, custom printed & packaging is no longer used for limited editions or short-run, rather it focuses on economic mainstream packaging. It has increased the flexibility to design product boxes at a larger level. Even the manufacturers have started making customized shipping boxes by using digital prints.

Mobile Revolution: QR codes are replaced by NFC and Bluetooth

The interaction between smartphones and packaging is entering the next level. Packaging with text and QR codes is not really accepted by the customers due to laborious handling. Moreover, the opportunity to connect with the suppliers directly was also limited. With the advancement in technologies of Near-Field-Communication and Bluetooth-Low-Energy, new interactive channels of communication opened. Customers can now obtain information about the product through NFC in unlimited ways. Customers have to just scan the label on packaging cardboard boxes or the product itself by using a smartphone. This directs them to the company's website to access information directly.

Robotics:

The use of robotics is another trend that has changed the packaging standard across different industries. Highly automated machines are used to facilitate the processes which require a large workforce. Robots are programmed for different functions and can do several tasks in a few seconds. For example, the robotic arms can arrange hundreds of carton boxes in the correct order of their delivery. This improves warehouse efficiency and increases the speed to market. Special sensors monitor the performance at every step and display them on the communicating device.

Fiber-based Packaging Material:

The packaging industry has become aware of the harmful aspects of plastics. This motivated the manufacturers to started working on different alternatives. Although sustainable packaging has occupied the market, the research does not end here. The experts have experimented with plant-based packaging material. One of the common examples is micro fibrillated cellulose (MFC). In it, the plant fiber is broken down to the micro-level and reconstituted to make packaging material. This process produces such a material that is much stronger and lighter than the one made from glass/carbon fibers. MFC can be added to a variety of packaging materials to strengthen them. Till now, a few grams of it have been created in the laboratory. The researchers are making efforts to make it on a large scale. An additional challenge for fiber-based packaging is its ability to act as a barrier for light, oxygen, and moisture. The lamination provides extra protection but it is resistant to recycle. So the industry is working on water-based coatings to act as a barrier.