Packaging Industry in the US

COVID-19 impact on packaging

Overall volumes of packaging have increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Consumers now prioritise packaged products, particularly in food, with previously unpackaged produce often wrapped and sealed.

COVID-19 country impact

As early as 31 January, US health officials issued quarantine orders to US citizens evacuated from Wuhan, China, amid the COVID-19 outbreak there. From 2 February, entry was restricted from China, with this later extended to virus-hit Iran and Italy.

Convenience continues to rule food packaging trends in 2019, with high demand for flexible formats

Flexible formats continued to gain ground in dairy packaging in 2019, thanks to its offer of convenience through easy-open and releasable stand-up pouches. In yoghurt, flexible packages with plastic screw-top closures saw greater growth, popular with consumers who like to eat while out and about and not bother with utensils.

Metal packs gain ground in soft drinks and hot drinks packaging in 2019, thanks to development in carbonated water, flavoured water and coffee pods

While rigid plastic packaging maintained good growth within soft drinks packaging in 2019, sustainability trends pushed the rapid rise of metal beverage cans across a number of areas. The backlash against plastic slowed, but did not halt, growth in PET bottles, with bottled water in particular held to be villainous.

Metal expands across alcoholic drinks packaging in 2019

Metal was also a strong packaging format within alcoholic drinks in 2019, as glass continued to struggle due to the dominant beer packaging’s persistent decline. Metal packaging, and metal beverage cans in particular, gained share thanks to environmental concerns associated with the transportation and recyclability of glass and to metal formats’ light weight and convenience.

Refillables and reusables signal sustainable priorities in beauty and personal care packaging in 2019

Although not new, refillable packaging is an emerging area for beauty and personal care packaging in the US, and still serves as a point of differentiation for brands. It is also an opportunity for premium beauty brands to offer versions of their products at more affordable price points while meeting sustainability initiatives.

E-Commerce rise fuels innovation in home care packaging in 2019

The rapid rise of e-commerce has pushed development in several fmcg packaging categories, including home care. For example, the e-commerce channel has increased the popularity of unit dose laundry detergents, which are easier to ship and thus prominently placed in online stores.

Files are delivered directly into your account within a few minutes of purchase.