If nothing else, 2020 showed us that “the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry.” Is that going to stop people from making plans? No. Is it going to stop Flexible Packaging editors from asking what those plans are and sharing them with everyone? Clearly, no.

We’ve decided to change the format of this section, as you can see. Past years have divided responses from one individual from one company in a sector, typically representing converters, suppliers, manufacturers and/or CPGs. Our own take on the past year showed us how interconnected we actually all are. In a bit of existential thinking, we decided to reflect that here and include responses to a common theme from multiple people in various segments of the industry. We start out with lessons learned from 2020 and then ask how those lessons are affecting expectations for 2021.

We also reserve the right to deny the accuracy of any of these predictions should another unforeseen calamity befall us, like a meteorite strike or Godzilla attack.

See what the Executives Say

Use the arrows to continue to the next section, or click on a theme below:

On 2020 overall/challenges

On trends impacting the industry/customer trends and opportunities

On the importance of industry collaboration

On the impact of e-commerce

On the consumer shift to sustainability

On trends/challenges/opportunities in 2021

Cover and feature illustrations by FORGEM / iStock via Getty Images Plus and Antikwar / iStock via Getty Images Plus