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Strategy Briefing

Global Packaging Sustainability: Turning Necessity into Opportunity

Sep 2017

US$1,325

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About This Report

New Report Guarantee

If you purchase a report that is updated in the next 60 days, we will send you the new edition and data extract FREE!

While packaging is used to protect a product and avoid its waste, its volume sales (3.4 trillion units in 2016) contribute to unsustainable use of natural resources and environmental waste. Amidst growing economic, institutional and lobbying pressures, manufacturers can ensure their endurance by embedding packaging sustainability into their business model. Reducing waste can be done with lightweighting, pack downsizing or biobased materials. Recycling and returnability are also worth exploring.

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Overview

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Gain competitive intelligence about market leaders. Track key industry trends, opportunities and threats. Inform your marketing, brand, strategy and market development, sales and supply functions.

Global retail packaging volumes up 2% in 2016; gaining momentum

As global retail sales of packaging increased by 2% in 2016, the environmental damage caused by the “make, use, dispose” economy is of growing concern. This is particularly evident in Asia, Latin America and the Middle East/Africa, which are seeing ongoing population growth. The sustainable development of packaging is a pressing necessity ecologically, and also offers opportunities for businesses along the supply chain.

Waste prevention: Removing the need for packaging is already a proven alternative for the future

Prevention should be considered first. Removing the need for packaging, the ultimate packaging sustainability move possible, has its market. Secondary packaging and multipack layers are sometimes avoided or reduced, such as in yoghurt and skin care. Retailing concepts such as zero-packaging stores and subscription boxes can also erode packaging need and thus volume sales.

Stretching limits in pack lightweighting, good potential for pack type switch and downsizing

Packaging’s ecological footprint can be reduced. Further pack lightweighting is getting challenging, but can make a difference in a competitive environment. Smaller packs with concentrated product also enables the reduction of water use. Innovation in biobased plastics will slow the use of fossil fuels.

Waste recovery: recycling is most established, but not in place for all materials

Recycling is one of the most established ways to recover packaging waste such as metal, glass, paper, PET, HDPE and liquid cartons. Flexibles often generate lower greenhouse gas emissions; yet their recycling remains a big challenge. The EMF’s New Plastics Economy framework should drive progress in this field.

Returnable bottles under pressure, as recyclability is often first on the agenda

Returnable bottles, a prime example of how to re-use packaging, is strong for beer and carbonates in Latin America, Southeast Asia and Germany. They enable price-competitiveness, but are affected by rising one-way alternatives.

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Introduction

Scope

Headlines

Global Overview: The Need for Packaging Sustainability

Global economy keeps its promise… but income levels also matter

Expansion of retail adds to the need for pack sustainability globally

Packaging is a necessity; but so is its sustainable development

Pack volumes (and ecological footprint) biggest in developing world

Food and drinks ahead of home care and beauty for pack volumes

Multiple forces drive packaging sustainability development…

… with a holistic approach and joint efforts as best practice

Prevention and recovery are pillars of sustainable pack development

Any sustainability approach entails opportunities and risks (1)

Any sustainability approach entails opportunities and risks (2)

Prevention: Remove and Reduce

Waste prevention starts with less but higher-performing packaging

“No packaging” approach explored via alternative retailing concepts

Within home and personal care, innovation aims to limit energy use

Strong rationale behind concentrated products in smaller pack sizes

Unilever’s compressed deodorants refresh the sprays category

Pack lightweighting: Not always visible, but a game-changer

Pack lightweighting strategic in beverages, but has its limits

In foods, leaner metal food cans make a difference

Opting for a lighter pack type can help shape corporate sustainability

The pouch alternative: Compelling green claims…

…tainted by a lack of recyclability and value perception

Biobased plastics offer an alternative, but have yet to up their game

Recovery: Re-use and Recycle

Recovery through re-use: Returnable glass key, but under pressure

In Mexico, returnables sustain the environment… and price appeal

Waste recovery through recycling: Established yet inconsistent

Some complexities in packaging recycling call for joint efforts

Packaging recycling is a major feature of food and beverages markets

Diverse food packaging landscape a challenge for recycling rates

Food giants can assert their lead by setting an example with recycling

Pack recycling strategy an ally in disguise in key US food market

Flexibles biggest food pack family… and among hardest to recycle

TerraCycle for baby food pouches: Limited impact but a key initiative

Beverage packaging mix more streamlined, easier to recycle

Soft drinks leaders campaign to boost PET and metal recycling rates

In home and personal care, innovation in HDPE can help recycling

Procter & Gamble scales up development in plastics recycling

Recommendations

Embed packaging sustainability into long-term business strategy

Definitions

Data parameters, report definitions and other notes

Why buy this report?

Want to find out more about this report?

Request more information

Megatrends

Strategy Briefing

Global Packaging Sustainability: Turning Necessity into Opportunity

New Report Guarantee

About This Report

New Report Guarantee

Overview

Why buy this report?

Global retail packaging volumes up 2% in 2016; gaining momentum

Waste prevention: Removing the need for packaging is already a proven alternative for the future

Stretching limits in pack lightweighting, good potential for pack type switch and downsizing

Waste recovery: recycling is most established, but not in place for all materials

Returnable bottles under pressure, as recyclability is often first on the agenda

Want to find out more about this report?

Table of Contents

Introduction

Scope

Headlines

Global Overview: The Need for Packaging Sustainability

Global economy keeps its promise… but income levels also matter

Expansion of retail adds to the need for pack sustainability globally

Packaging is a necessity; but so is its sustainable development

Pack volumes (and ecological footprint) biggest in developing world

Food and drinks ahead of home care and beauty for pack volumes

Multiple forces drive packaging sustainability development…

… with a holistic approach and joint efforts as best practice

Prevention and recovery are pillars of sustainable pack development

Any sustainability approach entails opportunities and risks (1)

Any sustainability approach entails opportunities and risks (2)

Prevention: Remove and Reduce

Waste prevention starts with less but higher-performing packaging

“No packaging” approach explored via alternative retailing concepts

Within home and personal care, innovation aims to limit energy use

Strong rationale behind concentrated products in smaller pack sizes

Unilever’s compressed deodorants refresh the sprays category

Pack lightweighting: Not always visible, but a game-changer

Pack lightweighting strategic in beverages, but has its limits

In foods, leaner metal food cans make a difference

Opting for a lighter pack type can help shape corporate sustainability

The pouch alternative: Compelling green claims…

…tainted by a lack of recyclability and value perception

Biobased plastics offer an alternative, but have yet to up their game

Recovery: Re-use and Recycle

Recovery through re-use: Returnable glass key, but under pressure

In Mexico, returnables sustain the environment… and price appeal

Waste recovery through recycling: Established yet inconsistent

Some complexities in packaging recycling call for joint efforts

Packaging recycling is a major feature of food and beverages markets

Diverse food packaging landscape a challenge for recycling rates

Food giants can assert their lead by setting an example with recycling

Pack recycling strategy an ally in disguise in key US food market

Flexibles biggest food pack family… and among hardest to recycle

TerraCycle for baby food pouches: Limited impact but a key initiative

Beverage packaging mix more streamlined, easier to recycle

Soft drinks leaders campaign to boost PET and metal recycling rates

In home and personal care, innovation in HDPE can help recycling

Procter & Gamble scales up development in plastics recycling

Recommendations

Embed packaging sustainability into long-term business strategy

Definitions

Data parameters, report definitions and other notes

Why buy this report?

Want to find out more about this report?

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