2021 Executive Forecast:
On the consumer shift to sustainability
Source: U.S. Census Bureau and Flexible Packaging Association 2001 and 2010 State of the Industry Reports and 2020 State of the Industry Report. Courtesy of FPA
2019 U.S. Flexible Packaging Industry Growth
Russell Grissett
VP/GM
Sonoco
Photo courtesy of Sonoco
We expect the focus on sustainability to continue for our customers and expect their efforts to intensify as we move closer to 2025 goals. We also expect to see a continued focus by our customers on minimizing the numbers of SKUs, focusing their resources on higher volume SKUs.
Laurel Spencer
VP Sales and Marketing
Amcor
Photo courtesy of Amcor
Amcor’s innovation, and research and development capabilities have positioned our business to deliver on more sustainable packaging for the industry. As consumers’ purchasing behaviors change, as they choose more sustainable packaging, these shifts represent a fantastic opportunity for Amcor to help our customers grow their business and their brand loyalty. What our customers are beginning to see is that more sustainable packaging doesn’t have to mean compromising on other packaging benefits, they can have it all. Amcor is also leading the way when it comes to helping customers and consumers alike understand that sustainability means the entire lifecycle of a product — from production of resin to end-of-life options for packaging. We’ve established dynamic global partnerships with organizations like the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, Materials Recovery for the Future (MRFF), Association of Plastics Recyclers (APR), How2Recycle.com and the Ocean Conservancy. Together, we’re turning up the volume on conversations about critical packaging benefits — like optimized packaging weight and reduced quantities of plastic, use of post-consumer recycled content (PCR), carbon footprint reduction and recycling stream infrastructure needs. Innovation and sustainability remain key to our customers’ growth, even during the pandemic.
Anthony Renzi
VP of Product Management of Packaging Inks
North American Inks, Sun Chemical
Photo courtesy of Sun Chemical
Consumer packaged goods companies are looking for support in their sustainability efforts and Sun Chemical has helped by providing solutions that meet their goals of resource reduction, a smaller number of packaging layers, along with decreased package size. We have seen challenges regarding the “sustainability” cry across the globe, creating products that fulfill the needs at a competitive cost. We continue to work with printers to offer solutions that address customer needs, which is why we’re moving toward sustainable product offerings that utilize raw materials that promote bio-renewability, recyclability and compostability. Additionally, biodegradable and more recyclable flexible packaging materials are currently favored by both major retailers and brand owners. For example, SunVisto AquaGreen is a water-based ink with a higher biorenewable content, offering a natural, cleaner, greener option for food packaging, and SunSpecto SolvaGreen is a compostable, solvent-based ink for surface printing on biodegradable films. Sun Chemical anticipates further growth opportunities from these key areas related to sustainability, in addition to further growth thanks to the recent launch of our newest range of liquid inks with very high renewable content. Through the use of SunBar barrier coating, SunSys protective coatings and SunFuse sealants and primers, we can allow for flexible package designs with improved recyclability. Anytime a flexible package uses more than one type of substrates (for example, polyethylene film laminated to polypropylene film), that structure becomes more difficult to recycle. By using coatings to replace these layers, functional mono-material packages can make recycling a reality for flexible packaging. We can also add functionality to bio-based films and even paper to enable the design of biodegradable packages.
Giancarlo Caimmi
Commercial Director
Nordmeccanica Group Corporate
Photo courtesy of Nordmeccanica Group
We, as a machinery manufacturer, are involved deeply in the evolution of new technologies for our industry. Collaboration through the value chain gives substantial results when a product evolves or a new technology is implemented — that needs the contribution of all players. In 2016 we, in partnership with Dow, introduced a technology that grants very fast curing to solvent-less adhesives, it consequently created a substantially shorter time to market, and energy and scrap savings. And, as a team, we made a statement. When in 2018 we, in partnership with Henkel, introduced a new performance coat that boosts barrier enhancement in flexpack compounds, we, as a team, made a statement. It is about real innovation and real innovation implemented quickly because of constructive collaborations. They are innovations offering “real” and “original” results — possibly not perceivable by consumers — but it’s innovation that brings real value to sustainability. Consumer perception about packaging is heavily influenced by brand owners, retailers and media, and it’s not always informed by actual facts. We try to address real issues. Our responsibility is to the improvement of technologies that we have introduced to the industry and producing remarkable results in terms of emission elimination, scrap reduction and energy-efficiency optimization.
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Cover and feature illustrations by FORGEM / iStock via Getty Images Plus and Antikwar / iStock via Getty Images Plus
