2021 packaging trends: the best so far
While packaging has always been among the most rapidly evolving sectors of the design industry, the last 18 months have seen lockdown-driven innovations emerging and spreading even faster than usual.
Some of those innovations are almost too obvious to mention. Recycled packaging had been growing in popularity even before COVID-19 sequestered us for 18 months, while a year’s steady growth in the mail-order and home delivery sectors has driven a seemingly endless boom in robust boxes and tubes. Both these trends are absolute musts for your 2021 packaging strategy.
But, if you dig a little deeper, you should be able to turn up some less-obvious developments. It’s in the detail of these innovations that you should look to find the ideas that you need to shape your own new campaigns.
Paramount Packaging Systems’ specialism is the supply of packaging machinery. As we’re obliged to keep our ears to the ground, we thought it would be useful to list out what we believe to be the most important ‘second division’ packaging innovations - both in the wrappers which are our home turf and in the industry as a whole.
Here are our ‘Next Level’ Packaging Sub-Trends for 2021...
Resealable packaging
In an increasingly waste-conscious world, the idea that foodstuff must be consumed immediately after opening seems out of place. Credit is due to PepsiCo, whose finger-on-the-pulse Mountain Dew AMP Game Fuel started the resealable ball rolling. The Game Fuel can makes use of Xolution’s ingenious plastic tab, not only retaining the fizz, but also signalling clearly to the consumer whether their beverage is open or closed.
This is easily achieve on the Fuji system, either by flow wrap with a zipper, slit and tape, or reseal labels.
Other manufacturers have been quick to step up, and resealable versions of many familiar one-shot’ containers are now readily available. Plenty of makers have found that upgrading to a resealable container is an easy way to update a familiar brand.
Portion packs
Of course, there’s more to curbing waste than a resealable package. How about upgrading your container to dispense just the right amount of your product?
EU readers of a certain age may remember the Hermesetas dispenser, which for more than 30 years has been releasing a single tiny sweetener in response to a click.
Or perhaps you’ve come across a flow wrapped linked pack, allowing you to tear off section-by-section, as and when you need it?
When such techniques have been applied to other kinds of packaging, they’ve never failed to win plaudits from consumer groups. Could you do likewise?
Plant-based packaging
Today we associate plastics with petrochemicals, but early synthetic materials like bakelite were derived from natural substances. The last decade has seen a revival of interest in plant- and protein-derived packaging materials.
The highest-profile new arrival is Knoll’s sugarcane-derived Ecoform®. Ecoform is recyclable, biodegradable, compostable, and headline-worthy. Closely following are Avani’s biodegradable cassava starch bags, and the mushroom-based polystyrene alternatives favoured by Dell and Ikea. Also, French company Lactips has a milk-based thermoplastic film that's a snap for food products.
Our Fuji Machinery & Co Ltd horizontal flow wrapping machines are able to process many variables of the packaging trends mentioned, including eco-friendly films like biodegradable, biocompostable and recyclable.
Call us today on 01252 815 252 or email fuji@paramount-packaging.co.uk to discuss your packaging requirements.