(Press Release) – The sustainability agenda means corrugated board, folding cartons, moulded pulp, flexible and speciality papers, are all receiving new interest from packaging buyers. Worth a total of $425.4 billion in 2022, each of these have their own established places in the world market, but the need to implement more sustainable packaging strategies is pushing innovation and opening new higher-value applications.
A dedicated new study from Smithers — The Future of Fibre-based Packaging to 2027 — examines how multiple factors will interact to push worldwide demand to a value of $503.4 billion in 2027, equivalent to a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.4%. Across the same period total weight of fibre packaging will increase from 264.4 million tonnes (2022) to 316.3 million tonnes (2027), a CAGR of 3.7%.
Retailers and major FMCG companies have signed commitments to make their packaging portfolios more sustainable. Paperboard and other fiber formats are readily understood to be recyclable by consumers, making these an increasingly popular option. This deep trend is being supported by official commitments to phase out single-use plastics; with more jurisdictions copying legislation pioneered in the EU, France, and California.
Smithers examines the current state-of-the-art for fiber-based packaging design, including profiles of the latest paperboard formats that are being developed to replace single-use polymer packs for food, personal care goods, and beverages. This is posing direct technical challenges.
- In food, there is a need to develop superior functional barrier coatings that can protect fiber materials from grease, oil, and water while preserving perishable goods. This has led to many paper converters launching new specialty barrier paper grades for use in pouch packaging and food-service applications. These are already gaining traction in segments like fresh produce and confectionery; greater diversification will happen as further improvements are made in coating performance
- In beverages, liquid paperboard manufacturers are experimenting with steps like removing aluminum barrier layers, and high-profile brands — including Absolut, Carlsberg, and Unilever (Lenor) — have trialed fiber-based bottles. Both approaches still rely on polymer-based barrier layers and the emphasis is to design these to be easy to remove in existing material recovery streams, without damaging the recovered fibers
- For personal care goods, there is a parallel trend to develop fiber-based packaging materials that can replicate the premium look and feel of existing polymer formats
- Industrial and transit packaging is also using more fiber-based alternatives, especially in protective components and dunnage in direct-to-consumer e-commerce channels.
While innovation will lead to incremental gains for all fiber packaging types across the next five years, one of the strongest growth trajectories is forecast for molded pulp/fiber. Multiple line expansions are underway to meet the demand for a more sustainable alternative to thermoformed plastics, employing new coatings and faster production technology.
Founded in 1925 and headquartered in Akron, Ohio, Smithers is a multinational provider of testing, consulting, information, and compliance services. With laboratories and operations in North America, Europe, and Asia, Smithers supports customers in the transportation, life science, packaging, materials, components, consumer, and energy industries.
SOURCE: Smithers
